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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: lilac
Date: 01-26-2005, 07:02 AM (1 of 14)
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I have been teaching myself how to use my serger by sewing preemie clothing to donate to my local charity that provides items to hospitals and families for free. This also offers a tax deduction to me for my efforts. If anyone else is looking for something to learn how to serge they do not require loads of fabric and will make you feel really good having done something special. Below is a list of sites on the web that offer patterns for free to print and get started. There are others as well and there are places to actually buy patterns as well. 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: 01-26-2005, 07:11 AM (2 of 14)
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I chose to completely line the garment I made and if anyone is interested this may help. *The dress should be completely open in the back with a casing at the neckline and hem. This is how the charity I chose (newborns in need) makes the garments for preemies. Other charities may do things differently. 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. * only at shoulder seam(s)* 4. Repeat on lining. 5. Place lining and dress right sides together, matching the cuffs and serge the cuffs attaching layers together. 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, 07:19 AM (3 of 14)
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As an update. I just wanted to let everyone know I have finished a total of 78 preemie sized bonnets, 22 gowns, and 5 jackets. I have seven more fully lined gowns to make today as well before I mail them all off later this week to Newborns In Need. It is a great feeling. You do not have to be an expert at sewing to make a difference. I am basically a beginner with a big heart. |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: shellie25
Date: 02-07-2005, 08:34 PM (4 of 14)
| May God Bless You For Each Piece Sewn |
User: shellie25
Member since: 01-29-2005 Total posts: 2 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-08-2005, 03:29 AM (5 of 14)
Lilac that is a wonderful thing you are doing. You have earned many stars in your crown. The world would do well if more people were as big hearted and giving as you. 
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User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: mamadus
Date: 02-12-2005, 02:51 AM (6 of 14)
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Lilac... which pattern did you use, could i ask?? MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
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From: lilac
Date: 02-12-2005, 06:44 PM (7 of 14)
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I used the hat pattern that you can print for free on bwcharitycreations by Barbara Wampler. I would use the instructions for the 10 1/2" square. The 7 inch one would fit about a golf ball. The gowns on the site are also beautiful but I used a pattern in my newbornsinneed pattern set that I purchased from thier site. It was the drawstring gown on pattern set #2 but I changed the basic instructions from an opening in the front to an open back and I lined mine. I also chose to make a casing at the neck and that is different from the instructions as well. I would have saved myself a lot of web surfing had I just bought the patterns from the Newborn In Need site as there are very few that you can find on the web that are not in the pattern sets. The patterns also cover knitting, crochet, tatting, making little stuffed toys, and I don't know what else. I just found some other patterns a few days ago on a site Bridging people and places on the web - bridgingpeople.org and thought those looked like they were pretty easy too. The small preemie gown they have is a smaller version of the one I made but you can see what the basic design is - very basic. Threads of love had the best directions with lots of step by step photos. I chose to do something simple, quick, and easy so I could really focus on chain piecing |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: mamadus
Date: 02-13-2005, 03:59 AM (8 of 14)
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thanks lilac.. I'll have to check out the for purchase patterns... MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492
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From: MaryW
Date: 02-14-2005, 09:21 AM (9 of 14)
Lilac, you are just an angel to do this for all those babies. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Magot
Date: 02-14-2005, 12:04 PM (10 of 14)
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Lilac, just spent the weekend looking after a friends 3 year old while mother went into hospital - 35 weeks and placenta presenting and bleeding. Not good! However Mum and baby are now doing fine - Luke is 4lb 6oz and so some of my knitted premie things will be goiing direct to source, if you like, instead of via the hospital!
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: MaryW
Date: 02-15-2005, 06:23 PM (11 of 14)
Betcha that 3 yr. old had you run ragged. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: lilac
Date: 02-15-2005, 09:52 PM (12 of 14)
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All my stuff is gone but if she needs anything newbornsinneed will likely mail things anywhere even if there isn't one in your state. If none contact the main headquarters. There are tons of charities like them as well... |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
From: Magot
Date: 02-16-2005, 03:06 AM (13 of 14)
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I had forgotten how much they TALK! She is a lovely little girl and wasn't phased in the slightest by waking up and finding me there. The 3 year old was prem as well Lilac so she has a few things - we don't have a NIN in England but I'll see if I can find something similar. 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: 02-16-2005, 07:47 AM (14 of 14)
| England, quite a ways away. Gerber had a preemie clothing line that seemed the least expensive of all the preemie clothes I had looked at to compare prices. |
User: lilac
Member since: 07-07-2002 Total posts: 102 |
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