Today we’d like to share the links to patterns for Bereavement Gowns.
The pattern I used to make the gowns pictured above came from this site:
Angel Babies Info
Once there click on patterns and you will find a downloadable pattern and step by step instructions for the “Tea Towel Gown”.
Heidi (the wonderful lady who runs the Angel Babies site) also has another pattern. It is a different style and very simple to make. The instructions for that gown can be found on her blog. The direct link to that pattern is here: Modified Share Gown.
And one last link…this one will take you to patterns for different sized baby buntings and no sew hats. (These items are distributed to parents at the hospital when available.) You can get to the patterns directly by clicking here: Buntings and Hats.
In a recent email from Heidi she said what she is in need of right now is the 20ish week size gown (for babies 8-12 inches long) so if you are interested in sewing along with us (and we hope that you will) that would be a great size to make.
If you would like to donate the gowns you make in your area check with your local hospital. Many of them have programs similar to Angel Watch. Or if you’d like you can always mail your items to us. We will be taking all of ours over to Heidi to distribute. (You can find our mailing address on the Skirting the Issue Fact Sheet.)
Also, many programs like this also accept blankets and bracelets as well.
As always, thank you for stopping by…and thank you to all of you who are sewing along with us. We wouldn’t continue to do Skirting the Issue if we didn’t feel like it was important.
-liZ
PS—We received a sweet email from Teri over at Climbing the Willow. Yesterday she posted her story of loosing a baby…what brought her comfort and what she wished others knew. I appreciated reading it. The link to her post is HERE.
(Thank you again Teri for the email and for sharing your story.)
A friend lost a baby around 23 weeks and the folks at the hospital suggested that a little envelope would be better than clothing as they are very fragile and don’t stand up to much handling. We made a soft little packet (minkee and satin) that was open around the face with a seam up the front and along the bottom. I am not explaining it very well but it was easy for my non-sewing bereaved friend to make “herself” with my instruction and that seemed to be important to her. I should probably make a tutorial. sigh. k.
Two questions: Should the modified share gowns be made in white? or are other colors/prints useful? And is there also a need for buntings where you will be donating? Thanks so much for organizing this project.
I admire you both for your efforts in consoling mothers through this heartbreaking experience.
You are right. These babies are very fragile….the design of the gowns in the picture is completely open in the back so they just slip on and tie closed. Then the other one we linked to is a kimono style gown that ties in the front.
Also, I think the packet you are talking about is like the bunting that we linked to. There is a pattern and a tutorial for that there if you want to check it out.
I’m not sure…I’ve always made mine white but I will check on that.
And yes, I do believe that they take buntings as well.
Thank you so much for joining us!
liZ
I’ve found different races like colored gowns such as pastels, dark blue, silver, etc, so I now make them in various colors but still with satin and laces.