|
Many conversations with our facilities has resulted in this list of recommendations for the items that are donated to our chapter.
Look here for a preemie size chart
Hats: should be 9 inches or larger in circumference and should at least fit on a medium to large orange. The hats MUST have the ability to stretch; otherwise they pop off the
baby’s heads constantly.
Colors to use: Pastel colors for preemies. They may be solid color or baby prints, stripes, checks or plaids. Prints must be sized appropriately for the garment being made. Tiny prints should be used on
garments intended for a 1 or 2 pound baby.
Fabric types:
Flannel is always a good choice, as is robe velour (also called Grand Flannel), batiste, and cottons. Fleece may be used for blankets or winter buntings. Memory envelopes or boxes can also be made from satins, lace, eyelet, velvet, pretty much any nice quality fabric. The most important thing is that it is a quality fabric!
Trims should be selected based on the item being made and whether the garment is for a boy or a girl. Do not use lace or floral trims on boys’ garments. Instead, piping, ric-rac, braids, embroidered
cotton ribbon, suitable appliques, either sew on or iron on, may be used. Girls garments can be very feminine - lace, ribbons, satin flowers, etc. Burial garments may have nice buttons on them and may have ribbons
on them. Clothing for babies in the NICU should NOT have buttons or ribbons on them. Lace should not be sewn around the neckline as it scratches the baby’s neck. Preemie babies’ skin is very delicate and
tears or scratches very easily. Please use only very soft trims that are intended to be used as trims and use good quality trims.
Yarn: should be very soft and pastel in color for preemies. Primary or cheery colors can be used for full term babies items. Chenille and fun fur should not be used because it sheds. Mohair and wool should not
be used because of allergies. The size of the item being made should determine the weight of the yarn used. Baby weight, baby sport weight and sport weight should be used for tiny garments for babies under 4 pounds.
Sport weight or worsted weight may be used for babies larger than 4 pounds. The most important thing is that the yarn be SOFT!
Blankets: Blankets that are 30”x30” or larger are needed most and are the most practical. Larger blankets can be used for longer periods of time as preemies quickly outgrow the small blankets.
Large blankets can be folded up for little preemies.
Small blankets
are often used for bereavement layettes. These blankets should be of the best quality and ‘dressy’. Crocheted or knit afghans make some of the best blankets for bereavement layettes. These blankets should coordinated with the bereavement layettes and therefore should be white, pink or blue.
Quality:
We provide necessities - clothing and blankets - to families that are coping with difficult and emotional circumstances. It’s very important that what we provide is made of quality materials using quality craftsmanship. Quality doesn’t necessarily mean high priced - just well made and clean. Steps you can take to present quality items:
- Trim off loose threads.
- Hide raw edges of fabric by double folding before top stitching hems or use stitches that are designed for finishing raw edges.
- Make corners neat and tidy.
- Make sure seams won’t scratch and irritate baby’s skin.
- Place velcro on the fabric so it can’t touch baby’s skin. The stiff loop side of velcro should face away from baby’s skin.
|
