Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
FLDS mothers in Texas are offering their handmade, distinctive style of children's clothing for sale.
The public can buy its own pastel dress or denim jeans from the Web site fldsdress.com. The site offers affordable, prairie-style dresses in aqua, peach, lavender and lilac. There are trousers and long underwear for boys.
The enterprise was initially started to provide Texas Child Protective Services with clothes for the 440 children seized in an April raid on the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' ranch at Eldorado, Texas. But now that the children have been returned, the online store is aimed at helping mothers earn a living.
One woman behind the fashions at fldsdress.com tells The Salt Lake Tribune there has been a lot of interest, and, "This is not about Wal-Mart quality. The clothes are washable, durable and children proof." Each piece of clothing is purported to be made with joy and care. Critics call the clothing a brain-washing tool.
More enterprising efforts are in the works. The group plans to launch a site offering FLDS-made crafts in a few weeks.
E-mail: aadams@ksl.com
(The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
