Sweet Babies of St. Mary's: We sew Drool Bibs, Larger Bibs, Burp cloths, Changing Pads, and Blankets for new mothers, at St. Mary's, needing assistance for their new babies. There is a constant need. Sweet Babies also gladly accepts gently used baby clothes.
NICU Care: We sew, knit, and crochet for babies that need that little bit of extra care. Sharing Hearts are given to the parents of infants admitted to Newborn Intensive Care Units. The fabric hearts are worn against moms' and dads' skin so that the fabric will absorb their scent. The heart is placed with the baby, in the isolette or crib, bonding parent and child with a heartfelt scent of love. Would you like to knit or crochet Preemie Hats for the NICUs? This is a great project for our at home 'Busy Hands'. The little babies need all the warmth they can get in their first weeks. A variety of hats sized for 1-lb. to 11-lbs. babies are requested. There is a special need for holiday/seasonal hats. Octopi are crocheted as a cuddly companion in NICU incubators. The soft tentacles, remind babies of the umbilical cord and their mother's womb; babies cuddling an octopus are less likely to pull out their monitors and tubes. NICU Smocks are also essential.
Bereavement Care: The baby burial gowns, wraps, and hats are given to hospitals for babies who die in the neonatal period. They are also given to labor and delivery units for stillbirths and miscarriages. We provide the patterns and instructions, you add love & compassion. Angel Gowns and Bonnets are sewn, lined and lace trimmed from donated cherished wedding dresses. Each dress donor receives a small sewn heart as a memento of their generous donation. Kits with all supplies & patterns included are ready for home sewing. Mini-Blankets & Stockinette Hats may be wrapped around a little one for holding, bonding and saying goodbye. Families receive one mini-blanket and two matching hats -one that stays with the baby and the matching one is given to the family. Tiny Hearts are crocheted embellishments on the stockinette hats, the perfect finishing touch.
Children's Hospital: Bedrolls are long soft stuffed tubes placed around infants to keep them from rolling onto their stomachs and to keep tubes and monitors off their bodies. Boo-Boo pillows are used to prop arms hooked up to IVs, to rest legs in wheelchairs or to cuddle. Fleece blankets (no sewing required) in all sizes are needed for outpatients and inpatients from tiny to teen. Help us make Pediatric Patient Surgical Caps using various kid-appealing fabrics for our children who will be having procedures/treatments. The children get to pick out a cap of their choice which they use and get to keep.
Foster Care: Pillowcases are loved by all kids from tiny to teen! Sew bright, cheery pillowcases to help children and families cope with traumatic stress and illness. Teddy Bears have a wide range of donation possibilities to EMS, Fire departments, police/sheriff, foster care, refugee programs, etc. They are super cute!!
Cancer Care: Seat belt pillows are made for people with chemotherapy ports, and other medical implants. The pillows attach onto the seatbelt to protect from irritation. Sleep masks are made for Siteman Cancer Center in St. Peters. The masks allow a patient to relax while receiving treatment.
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Homeless Care: Large tote bags are a great resource for the homeless. Wool Blankets and Wools Scarves are easily serge finished and always welcome.
Student & Teacher Care: Chair bags allow the students to have a place for books and papers. Most schools have only tables and chairs with no storage for materials. Pencil bags and teacher tote bags are frequently requested items.
Elder Care: helping those in nursing homes or homebound with Walker bags & Wheelchair bags.
