Resources for Sewists
HOW TO GET STARTED
Email us at charlottespurpose@gmail.com to express your interest in volunteering as a sewist. We will match you with a donated dress, and give you a Wrapped in Love Project Sheet that will guide you through the process. If you already have a dress to work with, you can jump right in by printing a Project Sheet and patterns. Make sure that you take a picture of the wedding dress before you begin so we can post the before and afters in our project gallery!
Email us at charlottespurpose@gmail.com to express your interest in volunteering as a sewist. We will match you with a donated dress, and give you a Wrapped in Love Project Sheet that will guide you through the process. If you already have a dress to work with, you can jump right in by printing a Project Sheet and patterns. Make sure that you take a picture of the wedding dress before you begin so we can post the before and afters in our project gallery!
PATTERNS
Please click below for Wrapped in Love Patterns. Garment patterns are sized as Newborn (5-8 lbs.), Preemie (3-6 lbs.), Tiny (2-4 lbs.), and Micro (1.5-2.5 lbs.). For babies under 1.5 pounds, we make a pocket wrap in small, medium, and large.
Please click below for Wrapped in Love Patterns. Garment patterns are sized as Newborn (5-8 lbs.), Preemie (3-6 lbs.), Tiny (2-4 lbs.), and Micro (1.5-2.5 lbs.). For babies under 1.5 pounds, we make a pocket wrap in small, medium, and large.
7 Pine Design has created a very simple unisex tunic pattern and a handy step-by-step sewing guide for new sewists. I was brand new to sewing when I began the Wrapped in Love Project and found her guide very helpful!
OTHER WRAPPED IN LOVE PRINTABLES
- The Project Sheet keeps the project organized from beginning to end, even if it passes through many hands! It includes helpful tips for sewing this kind of project as well as a checklist to keep track of each step, from dress donation to delivery to the bereaved parents. The sheet is kept by Wrapped in Love after the final donation is made so that we have a log of our completed projects. (1 page, B&W, Print 1 sided)
- A Sizing Tag gets pinned to each layette set to keep it organized for the hospital staff. Tags are color coded for ease in this process: Yellow for unisex pockets in S, M, & L, Blues for Boys in NB, Preemie, Tiny, & Micro, and Pinks for Girls in NB, Preemie, Tiny, & Micro. (3 pages, Color, Print 1 sided)
- The Charlotte's Purpose Website Card is the size of a business card and directs bereaved parents to www.charlottespurpose.com for grief resources, memorial planning, writings about stillbirth, and a blog dedicated to dealing with grief positively. (2 pages, Color, Print 2 sided)
- The Certificate follows the garment or pocket from the start to the finish of the project. It is signed by each person who donated time or materials to the project. The purpose of this certificate is to show the bereaved family just how much love went into the garment or pocket for their baby. That much love brings comfort during a very difficult time. (2 pages, Color, Print 2 sided)
- The Memorial Baby Book is a half-page book that can be bound with ribbon. It includes space for bereaved families to add pictures, letters to the baby, a lock of hair, hand and footprints, and the hospital bracelet. These are things that many bereaved families forget to keep because of the brevity of their time with their baby, but things that will be treasured as they process their grief over his/her loss. (8 pages, Color, Print 2 sided)
- The Thank You Postcard is mailed to everyone who gave their time and materials. We don't want these generous individuals to go unrecognized. The Wrapped in Love Project would be nothing without their help! (2 pages, Color, Print 2 sided)
FINISHED SEWING?
Email us at charlottespurpose@gmail.com to schedule a pickup (if you live nearby) or to get an address to mail your work to. Let us know if you are interested in receiving another dress and continuing as a volunteer. Once we have received the completed garments/pockets, we will wrap them up with the Memorial Baby Book, Certificate, & Website Card, then deliver them directly to the hospital. Thank you for your help!