Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Knitting? No. Crafting? Yes.

Today is the one year anniversary of the birth of my sister's still born baby girl, Olive Stephanie. 
While it was horrible and sad, there is great joy here, too.  My kid sister is due in three weeks to deliver a baby boy.  Just one year later!

So while we twiddle our thumbs in anticipation of the birth, we spent the weekend making these gorgeous baby wraps to donate to the hospital specifically for (yucky word ahead) fetal demise.  Isn't that just a horrible couple of words!?  Yuck. 
 We made several sizes from premie to full-term.
 Boy warps and girl wraps.
 We cut 12, 14 and 18 inch squares out of cotton flannel - washed and ironed. . .

 Fold the middle piece of fabric in half, wrong sides touching.
 Lay folded piece on top of second piece (right sides touching).
 Add third square over the top of both (right side down).
 Straight stitch starting at bottom third of pocket and continue all the way around leaving about three inches open so you can flip the piece right-side out.
 Top stitch the entire blanket once you've flipped it right side out and given it a good iron.
 Attach ribbon to the back.

 Fold and tie.

If you are in the mood to try your own hand - please do!  There is a great need for these items.  Preemie clothes and hats are often too tricky to use with these fragile bodies.  When we dropped off our twenty wraps, the nurses were so happy and appreciative.  This was exactly what they needed, which made us all feel so good.  They told us that they have about 150 - 200 cases of fetal death/still birth every year.  Can you imagine?

5 comments:

Erica said...

That's a really thoughtful idea! Thanks for sharing.

livnletlrn said...

What a sweet way to remember Olive and the families who are going through what her family sustained a year ago.

Anonymous said...

Any hospital in any area would appreciate and use these lovely wraps. I'm going out to Waconia tomorrow and will inquire. It was a heart warming time spent together. Thanks for organizing the project.
Love, Mom

wildtomato said...

What a great way to honor Olive.

Tiffani said...

I love y'all! So sad, so heartbreaking & yet just amazing!