Oh, Baby!
Speaking of babies, my sister has become a trained volunteer with our local hospital's outpatient hospice. In talking with the volunteer director there, she learned that there is a need for quilts of various sizes for the hospice patients, including children. Our little monthly hand-sewing group has committed to each making a child-size quilt over the summer, to be delivered to the hospice after our September meeting.
I was horrified to learn that there is a particular pressing need for incubator-sized quilts. How terribly sad to think that there are infants being served by a hospice unit. This had not occurred to me. I Googled "incubator-size quilt" and came up with either 12 x 18 or 16 x 20. I've not made a quilt that small, I think, and plan to start one this coming week. I'd like to think I could do one each month for this need.
Comments
So sad that these little ones need such special care. . .
How sad, I never would of thought about that either. Hmmm, think that's an easy size to be able to easily whip up something. Are there any other requirements as far as type of batting or backing to use?
This is a size that can be backed without piecing and is used as a splash of comfort and color on the beds. They do not have to be laundered daily like sheets and we offer them to the family after the death.
Simple width of fabric strips and simple quilting in channels works great.
Incubator quilts can be made from a single block. Our guild takes in spare blocks and uses them for this project.
I think it would be an emotional experience to make incubator hospice quilts. I'd be thinking the whole time of the precious little recipients. But I'm sure it would be a thoughtful touch appreciated by the families.
I like the idea of a very light preemie/incubator quilt. I have lots of flannel.