Angel Clothing Tips

Hi again!

This page is a great starting point for anyone that is wanting to start making items for Preemie's and Angel Babies, but needs some guidance. A collection of everything Ive learnt from my work making such small items, communication with organisations and feedback from parents, hospitals and other community places. This is just stuff Ive picked up and in no way a hard and fast rule. Every place you donate to is different so when in doubt, ask them. This page is a work in progress. More information will be added as I gather it.

To clarify, throughout my blog, I use 2 terms. Angels and Preemies. A preemie to me is any baby born before 40 weeks gestation that is living. Angel babies are any baby born before 40 weeks gestation that was born still or passed shortly after. I know there are a lot of other terms available, but these work for me. 

You will find I don't often make items for 38-40 week bracket, simply because there are so many available commercially.

First Id like to share my size chart with you. This is an accumulation of lots of research on various medical pages and charts. All measurements are in centimetres. 

Its not very pretty, but it is what I have printed out and stuck on my wall behind my desk for easy reference. It does the job just as well as a fancier looking chart.

You will notice there are no measurements for bubs feet under 18 weeks. This is simply because at that small, it is not practical to use booties. Booties are probably a good place to start.

BOOTIES:

Babies born pre-term have very very delicate skin. A lot of the time, angel bubs have broken skin as well. Getting booties on such small bubs can be a problem, and so I recommend using a bootie pattern that opens at the heel. This makes placing the bootie on the foot a lot easier and less stressful. They simply tie back to secure. Again, not a hard and fast, but it does make things a little easier. Smaller booties can also be made, but would be more of a keepsake then a wearable item.

I would not recommend using yarn thicker then DK (8ply) for booties, as it is too thick and heavy for tiny feet.

COLOUR CHOICES: 

This is a bit of a stickler for me personally. I know a lot of organisations that simply wont accept items of certain colours, and I know of others that are happy with anything. The parents I have talked to, have said that they appreciate items that are a bit more colourful and decorative for their angel babies as they make them feel more "normal" 12-16 week items, most of the time are in pale colours, and a lot of white. Over that, I think more colour use is ok. 

Personally, I feel almost any colour is ok, with the exceptions of black, navy blue, dark purple and red. However, having said this, some clever use of contrasting colours can make most colours ok. A pale blue gown would look striking and individual with a deep blue stripe around the midriff or lower near the hem. My general rule of thumb is dark colours for decorative sections and not the entire piece, and not on a section that would be an edge against a bubs skin (hems and bottom edges of hats for instance, should be lighter in colour)

SEWING ITEMS:

I don't currently have any sewn items on this page but I have used other patterns. A lot can change between making an item for a preemie in a NICU and making an item for an angel being buried. Angel items give you a lot more free reign with style and decoration options.

For Preemies, NICU smocks and kimono's are your best bet. They are lightweight and easy to put on and off bub and give access to cords and tubes.

Light cottons and flannelette are great materials for these and come in a huge variety of colours and patterns, steer clear of heavily textured materials that may rub. Ties and velcro should be kept to a minimum, and any velcro use needs to be sure that it wont come in contact with babies skin. A simple button would be ok, but larger decorations and embellishments are impractical for a NICU item. Do not use anything metal on a NICU item, such as metallic threads and closures. 

Another thing to be aware of is seams. Keep them short and neat so as not to rub on a baby. Zigzag edges if you do not have an overlocker. 

Some places ask for items pre washed and some do not, so check with the organisation or hospital you are donating to. If you do decide to wash, then find something gentle and non chemical to use. Lux flakes are great for this. 

Sewn items for an angel bub can be a bit more decorative. Lace trims look delicate on bottom and arm hems. Gowns generally are longer then the legs would be, to give a christening gown type look. Small boys wear gowns also, so don't forget to make some in all colours. Open fully at the back is best for angel bubs, as it makes getting them dressed a lot easier for parents. Ties, velcro or buttons can all be used for closing. 

BLANKETS:

Blankets generally come in 3 sizes for angel bubs. These are 30x30cm for up to around 20 weeks gestation, 60x60cm for 22-30 weeks gestation and 90x90 for 30+ weeks gestation. Blankets can be knit, crochet or sewn. I have also seen some beautiful thin quilts as angel blankets and they work well too. As well as a main blanket, it is also ok to include a wrap, in muslin or flannel in the same size to swaddle bub in. 

CLOTHING:

Clothing an angel bub under 20 weeks can get hard because they are so very delicate and small. It is best to use cocoons and wraps for these small bubs so as not to damage them. It would be incredibly distressing for a parent to put an item of clothing onto their bub and damage them in the process, so keep that in mind when making very small items. 

I would not recommend using anything over DK weight yarn for angel and prem items as it is just too thick and bulky. Pick your yarns carefully. You don't want to use coarse or itchy yarns for angels or preemies. If your yarn is feeling a but stiff, try washing it inside a lingerie bag on a gentle cycle using wool wash. 

Gowns should be fully open at the back for up to 30 weeks to make dressing easier. 

You can add other embellishments to angel items that you would not beable to add to preemie items. 

HATS:

Babies heads grow in leaps and bounds as they are developing, so it is important to make hats in all sorts of sizes. My sizing is just an average estimate and not set in stone. When I make my own packs, I often add 2 beanies to them, one slightly larger then the other. Hats are the one item of prem and angel clothing that needs to be pretty close to right size. Too small and it won't go on (or worse, could damage the head), too big and it will fall down over bubs face, or just fall off. 

Beanies should be soft and stretchy. By all means, add decoration to angel baby hats. It will be something a parent will cherish forever, so pretty is fine. Crocheted flowers and hearts, little animal appliqués  gems and felt shapes, bows. You can find a lot of fantastic embellishments that would work perfectly for angel hats in craft isles and scrapbooking stores.

Some places do not like ties on hats (earflap hats) however, these are the best for bubs born with Anencephaly as it helps keep the hats on their heads. I don't see anything wrong with ties for angel babies. I would not however, recommend ties for a bub in the NICU as it could pose as a strangulation issue or get caught in wires and tubes.
Fluffy yarns and pompoms are also not recommended for NICU bubs as the fluff from them may float into their airways.

There is plenty more I'll update with as time allows. I hope these little bits help you with your journey.