Angel Wraps and Preemie Blankets

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 have just recently 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 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.


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

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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/CaringforCooper/


Michele Bilyeu Quilts With Heart and Hands for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) Join in my Liberated Quilting Challenge...and buy or donate a quilt, today!! We are changing the world...one little quilt at a time.Michele Bilyeu blogs With Heart and Hands as she shares a quilting journey through her life in Salem, Oregon and Douglas, Alaska. Sharing thousands of links to Free Quilt and Quilt Block Patterns and encouraging others to join in the Liberated Quilting Challenge and make or donate small art quilts to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) Help us change the world, one little quilt at a time!