Want to sew for tiny babies? Here are some great patterns that I'm sure your local hospitals would love a donation of. They are also beginner friendly.
Tips for beginners:
- Make sure to measure the test square on each pattern to ensure it printed at the correct size. These gowns are made with very precise measurements. If they have printed at a different % it will effect the gestation range the gown will be able to fit.
- IRON YOUR FINISHED PRODUCT! You really need to iron your gowns. Babies in the womb don't start getting chubby until the end of the third trimester, so babies born early are very thin and a double layer gown that hasn't been ironed will look very puffy and bulky on them.
- Wait until fully dry to package: After ironing (even without steam) the heat makes humidity. If your gowns are not fully dry before packaged they can mildew while in shipping or sitting on the hospital shelf. We personally iron and then wait until the next day to package. Don't let all your hard work go to waste.
- Although some of the organizations below recommend to only send one of of their item when making sets... We recommend sending two of every single item. This prevents parents from having to choose between keep their baby dressed, or sending them off undressed so they can have a keepsake. Making double is more work, but it's worth it when you look at things from this perspective.
The "Lay me down wrap" by Kaitlin's Angels
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| Photo from KaitlinsAngels.blogspot.com |
This is a very clever design that allows the gown to be wrapped around the baby with minimal manipulation of these delicate babies.
You can find this pattern HERE
"Teeny Tunic Layettes" by Teeny Tears
These is a sweet single layer fabric gown. I did this myself as a beginner. It was one of the things that taught me how to sew and taught me lots of beginner tricks regarding tiny babies.
You can find this pattern HERE
Tiny diapers by Teeny Tears
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| Photo from TeenyTears.org |
These are paired with no-sew hats and mini blankets as a way to dress tiny babies without a gown. The diaper pattern comes in two sizes, small (18-23 weeks) and large (24-32 weeks). This pattern is available by request only. You can find that request page HERE.
You can also find their diaper tutorial HERE.
Stockinette Hats
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| Photo from TeenyTears.org |
These are great for beginners or those without sewing skills. They are NO-SEW! Children often help make bins full of these hats.
We use a very similar version of these hats. We also send two, one is packages with the rim folded up, and the other is unfolded... We do this because when families are dressing their baby, their minds are so full of everything a simple thing like folding the rim to fit sometimes doesn't even come to mind. (I have seen several time family's placing an unfolded hat or hat sticking way up off the baby's head because the fold wasn't adjusted)
So having one as an example and one that they have to fold up the rim flows smoothly without second thought.
You can find this no-sew pattern HERE
Mini blankets by Teeny Tears
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| Photo from TeenyTears.org |
Sewing wise, it doesn't get more beginner friendly than this! Blankets are a very fast and simple sewing project.
Teeny Tears suggests two sizes of these. One for babies 14-16 weeks and a larger size for babies 17-18 weeks. You can find this tutorial HERE.