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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: lilac
Date: 12-15-2004, 11:18 AM (1 of 25)
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Hello everyone! If anyone is interested in taking up a project that will help newborn/preemies there are several sites that offer free printable patterns on the web. When sewing for preemies keep in mind that the hositals may not dress them until they are large enough to go home. I believe this was 4 1/2 lbs or larger. Simplicity and Mc Calls does offer preemie sized patterns but I did read that Mc Calls runs large and the preemie size was more likely to fit a newborn. Newborns in Need provides a wonderful size chart for preemie sewing for free on the site and it is the most detailed that I have been able to find. BW charity creations Touching little lives Olivia's Angels All Crafts for Charity Bundles of Love Bev's Country Cottage TLC for Angels Project Angel Kisses Ray of Hope Dress an Angel Angel Crafts Faith, Hope and Charity, Inc. Threads of Love All Free Crafts Cuddles CareWear Sewing for Babies Freebiedot.com Freebies.com Eternal Love Ministries Webb-Babies Helping Our Lakota Famies Southern Stitches Preemie Baby Booties Sew Young Sew Fun Serger Premie Gown Theads of Love (excellent detailed instructions) Check out sites by sewing machine manufacturers such as elna, Janome, Viking and so on as they may also offer free sewing projects. And many others |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: lilac
Date: 12-28-2004, 09:55 AM (2 of 25)
| Just bringing it back up to the top so it doesn't get lost. |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: boogalooz
Date: 12-30-2004, 05:37 PM (3 of 25)
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thats a neat idea. my brother was a preemie and I remember people from the local church coming by and bringing bitty clothes for him. its a wonderful gesture especially in these days.... chrisitne 
Christine
Diaper maker - BoogaloozBaby Avon lady www.interavon.ca/christine.ziegler mommy to Susanne 3.5 and Victoria 17mo wifey to Will for 6.5 years |
User: boogalooz
Member since: 10-08-2004 Total posts: 32 
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From: lilac
Date: 01-02-2005, 11:39 AM (4 of 25)
| It is times like those that help us remember that we live in a community not just our individual homes. I just wish we all remembered it a little more often. |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: angiefla801
Date: 01-02-2005, 03:59 PM (5 of 25)
| Thanks for the sites, I am a nurse who works with premies, we generally dress our babies around 3 pounds, usually then in outfits/shirts that are sleeveless and made of a cooler material. Later closer to 4 pounds when they are able to get into a crib, we dress them in more warmer outfits. One rule I have found helpful when making clothes for them is to use velcro/or buttons as closures. Zippers and snaps are not x-ray or wire friendly. Hope this helps. |
User: angiefla801
Member since: 12-29-2003 Total posts: 4 |
From: lilac
Date: 01-03-2005, 08:11 AM (6 of 25)
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Is there a difference between plastic snaps and metal ones? I have been using plastic snaps that you sew on. It was very helpful to have the information on weight and the clothing you normally use. Could you explain more about the fabric types you use for cooler dressing vs warmer? A lot of people are interested in what to make and what size would be most useful and I think the better we narrow it down..... and it is very important to remember what issues there are reguarding tubes and ease of dressing the babies. |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: lilac
Date: 01-03-2005, 08:26 AM (7 of 25)
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I assume the hospital has their own supply of preemie clothing and it is more the clothing that families need to be able to take home with them that we should pay more attention to? Any particular things we should keep in mind for a preemie when we are making clothing for families to keep? |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 01-03-2005, 12:26 PM (8 of 25)
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As a mom of preemies please don't assume that the hospitals have clothes for these little guys. Most hospitals don't have clothes to fit the little ones as they are not necessary until they come out of the incubator. I had my babies at four different hospitals the little clothes that were available were donated by sewing guilds or the nurses themselves. I tell you a cute little shirt with matching hat and booties really helps you feel that your little one is real. With son number one I was not allowed to sit by his bedside all day, I had to leave when the doctor was discussing other patients. I spent a lot of time in the waiting room. I swear I crocheted him so many little booties. The nurses loved them. Another thing you might want to consider is offering your services to teach a new mother to knit or crochet. With daughter #2 I was not allowed to hold her for most of her 4 1/2 monthes in the NICU (because a medication she was on caused her to bruise easily). Having something to do for your baby while you sit helps you feel useful to your baby. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: boogalooz
Date: 01-03-2005, 01:23 PM (9 of 25)
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My oldest was in the NICU because she wans't breathing and there was a whole room there full of variety of preemie clothes. of course my 9pounder didn't fit anything....lol but it was neat to see the other parents with new and itty bitty babes be able to go in there and pick something out that had been hand made with love and not a factory that pumped them out. it was heart warming, so many of those parents were heartbroken and in shock about the whole all of a sudden having a baby, and sometime s a sick one too. christine Christine
Diaper maker - BoogaloozBaby Avon lady www.interavon.ca/christine.ziegler mommy to Susanne 3.5 and Victoria 17mo wifey to Will for 6.5 years |
User: boogalooz
Member since: 10-08-2004 Total posts: 32
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From: lilac
Date: 01-03-2005, 04:43 PM (10 of 25)
I only had one preemie but he was born at 36 weeks and a whopping 7 lbs 14.5 oz so I have yet to personally experience the whole situation. I am learning what I can so I thank everyone for sharing and educating! It helps us all understand how interested persons can help best. 
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User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: angiefla801
Date: 01-03-2005, 07:22 PM (11 of 25)
| Most of the clothes from our unit (and those in our surrounding areas) have only clothes made by volunteers for our small infants. In fact we wash them ourselves so they don't disappear in the general hospital laundry!! I have found that a lighter soft cotton/knit is good for the infants still in the isolette. Often when we dress those infants they are still 3 to 4 pounds with many lines/wires. One of the best outfits for them are small sleeveless tee shirts/gowns with velcro at the shoulder seam to allow for IV lines and wires. I have found that some of plastic snaps still cause interference with certain types of xrays done, so we try to avoid those. Later when the infants "graduate" to cribs they get dress in a heaver cotton, terry or flannel to keep warm, those are usually gown type with longer sleeves. Sadly not all of our infants survive, those special souls get dress in outfits that our volunteers make that tend to look more dressy/christening like, we take professional photos of them all dress up, and then we send the outfits home for their parents to keep. Hope this helps, feel free to ask anyother questions. |
User: angiefla801
Member since: 12-29-2003 Total posts: 4 |
From: lilac
Date: 01-04-2005, 07:44 AM (12 of 25)
| I recently made a burial outfit for a parasitic twin that was only 11 oz. Do you find that it is important to leave the entire back of the gowns open or is a regular opening on a back of the gown acceptable? |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: angiefla801
Date: 01-04-2005, 08:26 PM (13 of 25)
| For these types of outfits either type of back is fine, usually at that point all wires and lines have been removed from the infant. So which ever back would be easier to make. |
User: angiefla801
Member since: 12-29-2003 Total posts: 4 |
From: kittendodie
Date: 01-04-2005, 09:07 PM (14 of 25)
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I sew for Touching Little Lives and we make little burial "pouches" with lace and out of nice material..... they have a little ribbon on them to tie........... they are greatly appreciated by the hospitals in the area. and the parents seem to really appreciate having something so nice for their little baby. Dodie Husqvarna Viking Designer 1 ; Husq. 936 Serger ; and lots and lots of fabric.
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User: kittendodie
Member since: 01-22-2004 Total posts: 19 
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From: lilac
Date: 01-05-2005, 09:20 AM (15 of 25)
| I bet they appreciate it more than you will ever know. It is so important to mom's to have someone recognize how precious a baby is no matter what stage it is delivered at. Too often the attitude is that they are not like real babies. It is time they are recognized and people were made aware of how painful that attitude is to people. |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: lilac
Date: 01-24-2005, 06:59 AM (16 of 25)
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Have made a total of 22 preemie drawstring gowns as of yesterday. How is everyone else out there doing? Found it is really easy to make them using a serger and have made them all with an attached liner so they are reversible. Planning on making some other items to go with them before I send them on thier way. |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: lilac
Date: 01-24-2005, 07:28 AM (17 of 25)
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Dress with attached lining, reversible 1. With right sides together, serge shoulder seams on dress. 2. Repeat on lining. 3. With right sides together, attach sleeves to dress if pattern requires separate sleeves. 4. Repeat on lining. 5. Place lining and dress right sides together, matching the cuffs and serge the cuffs attaching layers together. * May sandwich lace in between if desired. 6. Repeat for other side. 7. Open out dress and liner to separate the two layers. With right sides together on dress and right sides together on lining, serge underarm and side seams from one hem towards cuff and down to the other hem. Arms will form a tube like the two dresses are holding hands. 8. Repeat on the other side. 9. With layers separate and back open, serge the raw edges on the back of the dress and liner for a clean finish. Do not attach liner to dress. You will serge each back edge separately. 10. Repeat on other side. You should have four separate seams. 11. With right sides together, match neck edges of dress and liner together and serge neckline joining the two layers together. 12. With right sides together, match the dress hemline to lining hem and serge the two together. 13. Fold the stitched back edge towards the wrong sides of the dress and lining and press in place. 14. Turn the dress right sides out and finger press the neck and iron the hem on the bottom of the dress. 15. Topstitch the neck edge and the hemline forming a casing to insert desired width of ribbon. 16. Topstitch the back of the dress leaving the casings at neckline and hemline open. 17. Repeat for other side. 18. The dress and lining are completely attached and ready to have ribbon inserted in casing. 19. Finger press the sleeve opening and tack in place or topstitch if desired or leave as is. |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: lilac
Date: 02-07-2005, 07:11 AM (18 of 25)
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I can't speak for anyone else but myself. Have currently hade 78 preemie bonnets, and 23 preemie gowns, plus 5 preemie jackets. Have more gowns cut out to work on today and looking forward to mailing my work to Newborns In Need later this week. I would fall into a beginner sewer catagory as I never made much more than a halloween costume in the past. As you can guess, the items are small, the patterns are pretty simple or can be simplified (smocked gown patterns often used to make gowns with drawstring neck instead) and it is great knowing you are helping someone in a time of crisis. |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: lilac
Date: 02-10-2005, 02:33 PM (19 of 25)
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I am so proud. I mailed my preemie loot off to my local charity today, snowstorm and all. 87 keepsake memory cards 5 jackets 26 gowns 78 preemie bonnets 11 commercial baby pattern sets 5 afghans and a shower curtain so they can trace the sewing patterns onto plastic and make them last a good long long long time. Uncle Sam better be nice come tax time next year! |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: Magot
Date: 02-10-2005, 02:43 PM (20 of 25)
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Nice going Lilac, I'm still knitting small hats and cardies for about 5lb-ers. The hats are so small I know they are the right size if they fit a satsuma. My local Scabu likes to keep it's babies nekkid until about 5lb but they are still hard to cloth at that size so I make them for that size. I don't make them exclusively , just when between projects so it will be a while before I have enough to make it worthwhile mailing off.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: lilac
Date: 02-10-2005, 02:55 PM (21 of 25)
| I hear you about having enough to make it worth mailing. My goodie box cost me over $6.00 to mail but it was a big box and I was really happy to do it. |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: tgif45
Date: 07-31-2006, 07:28 PM (22 of 25)
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I Recently Mailed A Box Of Goodies That Was Origionaly Going To The Local Hospital. My Younger Sister Called To Tell Me That Her First Little Granddaughter Was Born Too Soon As They Had To Take Her. Her Mother Was Suffering From Toxins In Her Systems And The Baby Was In Grave Danger. She Weigh In At 3lb 9oz. The Hospital Didn,t Have Any Type Of Clothing For Thses Babies. I Sent My Box To Them . The Nurses Where Not Expecting This As I Hadn't Even Told My Sister. This Was 6 Months Ago. They Now Have Clothing Available As The Word Got Out Many People Said That They Could Do This And So Their Journey Began. I Often Get Letters And Pictures Of The Babies And Sometimes The Whole Family. I Can't Begin To Tell You How Much Mailing Off That Box Ment To Me.the Cost Was Well Worth It. |
User: tgif45
Member since: 07-31-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: stephi
Date: 08-01-2006, 08:19 AM (23 of 25)
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Not that I am already stacked to the cieling on projects but I did get that new ruffler and I cant wait to use it!! Can any one tell me how to make the Baby bag style outfits?? I figured I could whip up a few and send them to the best childrens Hospitol in the world (Childrens Hospitol of The KIngs Daughter). And maybe make a few dressing gowns for the older children, that arent just your regular hospitol looking gowns....LIke a tool belt on them or a little lace around the mid area. Any links would eb great to these patterns. Stephi
"No body knows what it is that I do until I dont do it" "if you do what you have always done you will get what you have always gotten" |
User: stephi
Member since: 03-17-2006 Total posts: 361 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-02-2006, 11:10 AM (24 of 25)
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I only have a couple handy.. onedress.org , and on sewingwithnancy.com and click on creative kindness, and carewear.org... of course you have to put www in front of each one..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: stephi
Date: 08-03-2006, 09:14 AM (25 of 25)
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Thanks Libby!! I am printing like crazy and since there isnt a whole lot to do here at work I just might start cutting them out!! On a mission, in a tissy!! 
Stephi
"No body knows what it is that I do until I dont do it" "if you do what you have always done you will get what you have always gotten" |
User: stephi
Member since: 03-17-2006 Total posts: 361
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