Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Hospital Clothes

This one is blurry but you can see the stitching okay.

Here's the front.


The back with buttons.

I sent an email out to my friends and family who sew asking for them to consider making hospital "dresses" for babies who need to be hospitalized. I was talking to a mom today who often spends weeks at a time in the hospital with her 2 year old (days younger than Jordan). Someone made her a few dresses for her to wear rather than hospital gowns.
It was so touching to her and I can understand why.
When your child is in the hospital hooked up to machines and wires, wearing hospital issue (way to big) gowns it's too easy to forget what they are without all of it. So quickly parents and others forget to think of them in all their personality. It's easy for doctors to see this assembly line of patients when they do their rounds and to think only of the case. My favorite thing has always been putting Jordan's own clothes on her when she's in the hospital but it's often way too challenging with everything she's hooked up to as well as large casts and bandages.
I remember when she was in PICU for five days hooked up to a respirator, a central line, an IV, a pulse oximeter, a cast on every limb except one and bandages on her face. I HAD to at least brush her hair and put a cute bown in it. It didn't matter that she was sleeping through it.
I hung pictures of her up on her bed so the staff would see her the way she is - laughing, being silly, playing, etc. Fun, cute, thoughtful dresses would've made my week.
These dresses would be perfect. They are a similar concept - open in the back with a button or two and a long gown type thing that can give medical staff easy access to the baby/toddler. BUT they are SO cute! There are so many cute, colorful fabrics and styles that can be used with these...ruffles, pleats, embroidery, fun stitching, sports themes for boys, or cars and trains. The possibilities are endless for you creative types.
My sewing skills are limited so I need help. I need someone who is good at this who would be willing to come to my house with her sewing machine (or have me to her house) with a few other women who are interested so we can figure this out (unless you all can figure it out on your own).
We all need to make two - yes just two.
Then we can deliver them with cards to families at CHOC (Children's Hospital Orange County) or my personal favorite UCLA Children's where Jordan has spent many, many days.
I also envision somehow putting a bible verse in them...perhaps low cost tags that can have writing on them (my friend did this for a baby blanket she crocheted for Noah) and of course the cards of encouragement can use scripture.
Seriously friends I'm so excited about this but I can't do it alone.
I need creative seamstresses to add their own flair.
I need spatially gifted seamstresses who can help with the pattern (very simple!).
If you don't sew you can purchase fabric or send money for it.
We can find so many cute patterns in clearance racks for next to nothing or we can buy sheets that are on clearance with cute patterns or get Ikea fabric...the sky's the limit.
Post on here if you're interested - many of you have received an email about it and I'm looking forward to seeing who is interested.

9 comments:

Jennifer said...

Hi Jen!
Staci forwarded me your email and I am so excited to try my hand at this. I have to figure out a pattern before I can start the dresses, so if anyone gets a pattern down, please pass it along! What sizes do you need?
God bless you and your ministry!
Jennie Woodward

Jennifer Gray said...

Jenny - I have no idea about sizes or patterns...I'm going to ask the women in our quilting ministry to help. I'll keep you posted. :)

The Hackett Family said...

Hi Jen,

I found a free pattern for download here http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/hospitalgown.php

I can help. Just let me know if you need me to sew something or donate fabric (I have TONS of fabric). You can send me a email or call me (you can get my # from Staci). Take care and please let me know how I can help.

Katie said...

Hi! I found your blog through the Woodward family blog (which I found through other crafting links). I also live in OC and have had a little one in the hospital, AND I sew. I'd love to participate in this ministry idea and sew a gown or two, preferably with a pattern. :)

Jennifer Gray said...

Cheryl - thanks SO much for the pattern. I am going to print it and try to make one using it. I've never used a pattern but I can try. I don't have time for a little while but I'll get on it as soon as I can.
Katie - Yay! I'm so glad to have you check out my blog. It's nothing too exciting but glad to have you here. :) I'll check out your blog now incase you don't check back here for my reply.

Kathryn said...

joanns (the craft store) sells fabric that you can print on with your basic home printer. you could always print your scripture verse out on it and turn it into a tag and sew it into the gown :) great idea!

MissesStitches said...

I'd love to make one or more of these gowns for a friend's little boy, but I'm wondering if this will just make more work for his mama, as she'll have to wash it.... Is this the case, or is it so wonderful to have a handmade hospital gown that people are willing to take care of it?

Kari Thomas said...

Jennifer,
I have a son with spina bifida and have thought this agian and again! I have a friend who has a baby girl going through chemo (6 months old) My hearts desire is to do something like this in san antonio equipped with a bible verse and some encouraging words. If you would like to contact me kari.leann@hotmail.com or www. raisingtoby.blogspot.com
also, i am looking for some guest bloggers for my blog. let me know how your project goes. i have my sewing machine out and ready to go. wouldnt it be neat to make this nationwide?
kari

Allison Fouse said...

Hi Jen,

I found your blog through Rebecca Millsap. This was just the kind of opportunity I was looking for; putting my crafting skills to good use. The pattern that the Hackett Family posted above looks great. I could whip these out pretty quickly after all my Halloween costume sewing is done, but I'm sure I could get a few out to you even sooner if the need is there. I can donate my sewing skills + fabric and materials. Please contact me to let me know when and how I can help.