It's February and my heart is filled with thoughts of love. Thoughts of loving and caring and well, sharing...so, here is my ongoing list of precious little angel wraps, or preemie patterns that you can make in a just a few minutes at time! Make them and donate them to your local hospital, to special programs listed at the end or for someone you might know who just now, needs something this timy for their wee one.
Angel Wraps:
When a tiny baby is born before its time, and is too fragile to survive, usually during the second or early third trimester, there is still birth of the baby.. A loss of this kind is huge for the grieving parents to face, yet most of them still want to both see, and to hold, their tiny little infants. It is a very special part of that grieving process, of letting go of the dreams of what might have been..to hold and to bond with their tiny little one.
What can be even harder is discovering that you have nothing to wrap or dress your tiny loved one in, as nothing will fit ,or is appropriate for the simplest of touches that are possible when holding, and saying goodbye. And so to have your little one passed to you in a rough, or not very attractive, piece of cloth only makes that awareness that much sharper and more painful.
Babies are wrapped up in simple tiny blanket like piece of cloth that most hospital provide. But if the hospital has them, a tiny little quilt or blanket.... made for this purpose by volunteers... can be wrapped around their little one for that holding, bonding, and saying goodbye, time.
I made all twelve of these tiny little angel wraps and preemie blankets for this very purpose. And it was a deeply moving process for me as I made each and every one of them.
Mine are quite simple. They range from as tiny as a 9" square to as large as a 14" one. But each is special and made with love.
Many websites offer a variety of ideas for extra tiny pouches, wraps, blankets, or simple quilts or garments for what is medically termed as 'fetal demise.' And while these words seem harsh to those who have never heard them before, they are simply what the end of life resulting in a still birth is often called.
The
idea of a specially made little quiltlet created and made with love and
compassion seemed like a wonderful gift to give to our local hospital,
so I had decided to spend a few days creating some in varying sizes and
making a list of other ideas.I found an assortment of links, files, and free downloadable patterns for a variety of blankets, quilts, pouches and wraps. But making a simple wrap can be as easy as making a simple 9"-12" blanket or quilt that can be tied to create a little pouch like shape for the tiniest of the tiny ones.Some can be tucked under at the bottom for the very tiniest and others can simply have a little half triangle pouch sewed into one corner or be left open to cradle the littlest of babies.
I simply cut two or there squares of fabric sized from 9" to 11". A third square can be folded in half and place as a triangle shape in one corner and sewn in a the same time, or it can be left open as an "Angel Cradle Wrap" as shown by mine, above. The one above is very small and I would add the corner pocket, or cut it more like 12".
I used very thin batting in between or a little piece of flannel, instead of batting. Several of mine are quilted, the others simply have a heart shape quilted on to bind the pieces together. Add some ribbons at the tying points and rosettes or other simple trims and you have sweet little wraps for the tiniest of little angels.
For those who like to use or simply view patterns here are links to free patterns, photos and clothing links for preemies of all stages and sizes. Mine are intended for little ones weighing about 1 lb and about 6" long...a truly sad and yet endearing thought filled with compassion for the losses that so many of us endure.
TOP: A design of your own choosing, pieced or whole cloth.
BACKING:Pre-washed 100% cotton flannel.
BATTING: Most neo-natal intensive care nurses prefer no batting, just the top and the backing layers.
BINDING: Flannel or soft cotton fabric. The easiest option is pillowcase style (with right sides together, sew around the perimeter leaving 5-6” unsewn for turning purposes. Turn, press and slip-stitch opening. OR with wrong sides together, turn backing to the front and topstitch. Traditional binding techniques usually accepted if you prefer.
QUILTING: Hand or machine quilting. Most hospital prefer no tying and they see the knots as being too hard on these babies’ tender skin. If quilts are simply on
top of isolettes, tying is usually fine.
FINISHED SIZE: Some programs prefer extremely small sizes...from 12"-18" for the tiniest babies or for bereavement quilts. Other prefer 22" x 22", or even 24” x 30” . With quilts placed on top of an isolette unit, as many hospitals do... 30" x 30" or 36" x36" is a nice standard size. Like all quilt size recommendations, there is great variance, so check with your local hospital or favorite charity for preferences.
LABELS: Depends upon the program you join, the hospital requirements, and your personal preference. Some like AZBlankets4Kids, require their own label, on the FRONT of the quilt.
Free pattern links:
Angel Pocket Pattern
Fetal Demise Pouch Pattern
www.thepreemieproject.com/volunteer/patterns/
www.bevscountrycottage.com/bereavement-gowns.html
Crocheted Granny Square Pouch: www.bevscountrycottage.com/tonis-pouch.html
Sewn Pouch: www.touchinglittlelives.org/fetaldem.html
Sewn Pouch: www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/my_pages/babywear/sewing/003.shtml
Washcloth pouch with crocheted edge: www.kathyscrochetcabin.blogspot.com/2007/04/burial-pouch-pattern.html
Satin Burial Wrap: www.carewear.org (size small and x-p)
fetal demise pouch
burial gown and bonnet PDF pattern
- pattern only
preemie burial gown PDF
angel's pocket
bereavement gowns PDF pattern
- pattern only
burial wrap PDF
boy’s internment outfit
nb/preemie bib PDF
- pattern only
preemie cuddler PDF - archived
positioning shapee or 'snake'
nb/preemie booties PDF
10 min booties PDF
- pattern only
30 min booties PDF
- pattern only
preemie kimono for ICU PDF
serger preemie gown PDF pattern - archived
preemie sleeper PDF pattern
preemie shirt PDF
- pattern only
isolette cover
preemie mittens PDF - archived - pattern only
bubble cover archived
preemie gown PDF pattern
extra small boy gown
diaper shirt PDF
hospital shirt PDF pattern
day gown instructions (pattern below)
day gown - pattern PDF
03/12/08
preemie hat PDF pattern
preemie cuddler 2
preemie fleece hat
Angel Wrap
Burial Gown
Burial Wrapper
*******************
Refer here for size guidelines
*************************
Angel Dress (c)
Ava Lynne Baby Hat (k)
Baby Bear Preemie Hat (k)
Baby Bowties Preemie Hat (k)
Basic Baby Hat (k)
Basic Knit Hat (k)
Basic Preemie Hat (c)
Basic Ribbed Baby Hat (k)
Button Flap Beanie - Preemie (c)
Crossed Texture Hat - Preemie (c)
Crossed Texture Row Beanie - Preemie (c)
Easy Preemie Quilt from Project Linus
Half-Double Crochet Preemie Baby Cap (c)
Incredible Expanding Gnome Cap (k)
Joann's Preemie Hat (c)
Juliet Hat (k)
Lightning Fast NICU and Preemie Hats (k)
Melinda's Ruffled Preemie Hat (c)
Preemie Rainbow Beanies (c)
Preemie Ribbed Beanie (c)
Queen of Hearts Preemie Hat (k)
Sewn Knit Fabric Baby Hat (s)
Stretchy Knit Baby Cap (k)
Patriotic Preemie Hats (k)
Butterfly Hat - Preemie (c)
Preemie Pumpkin Hat (c)
Apple a Day (k)
Baby Elf Hat (k)
Christmas Tree Hat (k)
Christmas Hat (k)
Preemie Baby Santa Hat (k)
Baby Quilt Pattern (s)
Easy Baby Quilt Pattern (s)
Easy Baby Quilt Patterns (s)
Preemie Blankets (s)
Baby Blanket Pattern (c)
Four Square Preemie Afghan (c)
Snowflake Kisses Baby Blanket (k)
Teddy Bear Baby Blanket (k)
Teddy Bear Square (c)
Teddy Lovey (c)
Thermal Stitch Preemie Blanket (c)
Waffle Blanket (k)
Burial Wraps
Angel Pocket (k)
Angel's Pocket (s)
Angel Wrap (c)
Angel Wraps (s)
Burial Pouch Pattern (c)
Fetal Demise Pouch (s)
Knit Angel Wrap (k)
Receiving Blanket (s)Air Bear (k)
Fetal Demise Pouch Pattern
www.thepreemieproject.com/volunteer/patterns/
www.bevscountrycottage.com/bereavement-gowns.html
Crocheted Granny Square Pouch: www.bevscountrycottage.com/tonis-pouch.html
Sewn Pouch: www.touchinglittlelives.org/fetaldem.html
Sewn Pouch: www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/my_pages/babywear/sewing/003.shtml
Washcloth pouch with crocheted edge: www.kathyscrochetcabin.blogspot.com/2007/04/burial-pouch-pattern.html
Satin Burial Wrap: www.carewear.org (size small and x-p)
fetal demise pouch
burial gown and bonnet PDF pattern
- pattern only
preemie burial gown PDF
angel's pocket
bereavement gowns PDF pattern
- pattern only
burial wrap PDF
boy’s internment outfit
nb/preemie bib PDF
- pattern only
preemie cuddler PDF - archived
positioning shapee or 'snake'
nb/preemie booties PDF
10 min booties PDF
- pattern only
30 min booties PDF
- pattern only
preemie kimono for ICU PDF
serger preemie gown PDF pattern - archived
preemie sleeper PDF pattern
preemie shirt PDF
- pattern only
isolette cover
preemie mittens PDF - archived - pattern only
bubble cover archived
preemie gown PDF pattern
extra small boy gown
diaper shirt PDF
hospital shirt PDF pattern
day gown instructions (pattern below)
day gown - pattern PDF
03/12/08
preemie hat PDF pattern
preemie cuddler 2
preemie fleece hat
Angel Wrap
Burial Gown
Burial Wrapper
*******************
Refer here for size guidelines
*************************
Angel Dress (c)
Ava Lynne Baby Hat (k)
Baby Bear Preemie Hat (k)
Baby Bowties Preemie Hat (k)
Basic Baby Hat (k)
Basic Knit Hat (k)
Basic Preemie Hat (c)
Basic Ribbed Baby Hat (k)
Button Flap Beanie - Preemie (c)
Crossed Texture Hat - Preemie (c)
Crossed Texture Row Beanie - Preemie (c)
Easy Preemie Quilt from Project Linus
Half-Double Crochet Preemie Baby Cap (c)
Incredible Expanding Gnome Cap (k)
Joann's Preemie Hat (c)
Juliet Hat (k)
Lightning Fast NICU and Preemie Hats (k)
Melinda's Ruffled Preemie Hat (c)
Preemie Rainbow Beanies (c)
Preemie Ribbed Beanie (c)
Queen of Hearts Preemie Hat (k)
Sewn Knit Fabric Baby Hat (s)
Stretchy Knit Baby Cap (k)
Patriotic Preemie Hats (k)
Butterfly Hat - Preemie (c)
Preemie Pumpkin Hat (c)
Apple a Day (k)
Baby Elf Hat (k)
Christmas Tree Hat (k)
Christmas Hat (k)
Preemie Baby Santa Hat (k)
Baby Quilt Pattern (s)
Easy Baby Quilt Pattern (s)
Easy Baby Quilt Patterns (s)
Preemie Blankets (s)
Baby Blanket Pattern (c)
Four Square Preemie Afghan (c)
Snowflake Kisses Baby Blanket (k)
Teddy Bear Baby Blanket (k)
Teddy Bear Square (c)
Teddy Lovey (c)
Thermal Stitch Preemie Blanket (c)
Waffle Blanket (k)
Burial Wraps
Angel Pocket (k)
Angel's Pocket (s)
Angel Wrap (c)
Angel Wraps (s)
Burial Pouch Pattern (c)
Fetal Demise Pouch (s)
Knit Angel Wrap (k)
Receiving Blanket (s)Air Bear (k)
Basic Teddy Bear (c)
Bear Pair Teddy Bears (k)
Bertie Bear (k)
Better Bear (c)
Brenda's Bears (k)
Buttercup Bear (c)
Cashew Teddy Bear (k)
Curly Teddy Bear (c)
Heartfelt Bear (c)
Polar Bear (c)
Smart Teddy Bear (k)
Teddy Bear (k)
Teddy Lovey (c)
Two Tone Teddy (c)
Quilter's Anonymous in Lynnwood, WA.
Grecian Square
Ohio Star
Split Rail
Irish Twist Chain
Patterns from AZBlankets4kids:
Baby, Preemie, Double 4-Patch Quilt
Baby, Preemie, One Patch Quilt
Baby, Preemie Quilt, 1 Patch, 2 Borders
Block Party, Preemie to Teen
Baby, Preemie, 9-Patch Quilt, 18”
Baby, Preemie, Double 4-Patch Quilt, 18”
Block Party, Preemie to Teen
Charity Baby & Preemie Patterns
happy hearts quilt block...project linus
And from Project Linus:
Easy Preemie Quilt
My complete List of Preemie, Baby and Children's Quilts:
Free Babies, Child's, Preemies Quilt Patterns
Special Note:
If you would like to join in, online, with a group that does this special work,
please check out this group and think about joining in and making some tiny little donations of your own:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
OR:
Michele Bilyeu blogs With Heart and Hands as she shares a quilting journey through her life in Salem, Oregon and Douglas, Alaska. Sewing, quilting, and wildcrafting, with small format art quilts, prayer flags, and comfort quilts for a variety of charitable programs. And best of all, sharing thousands of links to Free Quilt and Quilt Block Patterns and encouraging others to join her and make and donate quilts to charitable causes. Help us change the world, one little quilt at a time!
