This week hasn’t been one of the best. Lots of migraine kept me down most of the week. Such is life. There isn’t much to be done about it except take naps and wait for it to be finished.
Once I was feeling a bit better, I decided to make a few hospital gowns for Amy. Remember last week I posted an update on A Doll Like Me? I mentioned Amy is running low on these sweet gowns she provides to children who are facing a hospital visit.
Each of these gowns take about one fat quarter or similar size scrap. You also need a bit of narrow, double fold bias tape. Check out this tutorial for instructions and a template to cut the pieces. The fun of this project (other than the satisfaction of making something to create a smile for a child) is picking fun fabrics to use.
I had a bit of this Disney princess fabric in a scrap bag given to me by a friend. I was just able to squeak a gown out of it. It is a 1/2″ shorter than the others but I don’t think that will be an issue. Luckily I was able to center Cinderella on the front of the gown. I hope there is a princess-loving girl out there who needs this gown for her doll.
I also used a bit of this vintage red print. Last year, after Valentine’s Day, I saw several rolls of ribbon in a clearance bin at Michaels and snapped them up. It was fun to use some to create the ties on the back of the gown.
Also, thinking it would be fun to play with those decorative stitches on my machine again, I used a heart motif to finish the edges of the back side of the gown. The hearts aren’t the best, but it was fun.
I packed these up and hope to take them to the post office. I have heard from a number of you who are making gowns for A Doll Like Me. This is awesome and I really appreciate your time and creativity! If you want to give it a try and feel unsure or have questions, I am happy to help!!
Linking up with several fun link parties, including the DrEAMI event over at Sandra’s blog!
Have a great weekend everyone!
I’m so glad you shared the information about these adorable gowns! I’m planning to make some as well! Feel better:)
What a sweet project, so nice for a charity drive. I hope your headache is gone!
It is a very sweet, simple project and from what I have seen, the kids really like having these to put on their dolls while both are in the hospital. What a lovely way to help these children. I am feeling better today. Hurray for that!! Have a wonderful weekend Carole.
I’d like to make one, but I’ve never used bias tape before. I’m a little intimidated by the tape, to be honest! But I have some of it in chocolate brown so perhaps I’ll make a gown in some cute doggie fabric I have with brown accents.
Hi Louise – I totally understand the intimidation you feel with the bias tape. Here are a couple of tips. First, press the bias tape (while folded lengthwise) so you get the folds out that were created while being wrapped on the little cardboard insert. Then, take note that the tape is folded lengthwise with one side wider than the other. When you pin the tape to the neckline of the little gown, put the narrower side of the tape on the ‘right’ side of the fabric, or the outside of the gown. Use lots of pins to hold it in place. Stitch it on the narrow side of the tape (on the outside of the gown). This will ensure you catch the back side of the tape, as it is wider. This is similar to machine stitching a quilt binding.
Hope this helps you – if you get stuck, send me a note. Happy to help. Thanks for giving it a try. You will surely see it is much simpler than you are thinking!! The fabric sounds perfect for a little hospital gown! Good luck. 🙂
That makes two of us, Louise! I flubbed up on my first attempt!
Sorry to hear about migraine week, Bernie, but glad you are feeling better. Once I get some of these projects out of the way, I’m going to make a few more of the gowns, and hopefully some quilts.
Thanks Wendy. I think today is going to be better which is a good thing because I haven’t grocery shopped in a very long time!!! The cupboards are somewhat bare at this point. 🙂 So happy you are continuing to support A Doll Like Me. <3
Those are precious! Hope you feel better soon. ❤️
Oh, Bernie, I’m so sorry about your head! That stinks. I hope it’s better soon. The gowns are adorable, as always. Cinderella in particular is going to make a little kid pretty happy.
Thank you for sharing the link to the pattern Bernie! I can’t wait to clear a few pressing thing off my cutting table and stitch these up for those precious dolls.
No problem Barb. Whenever you get a minute works just fine. I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Sorry about the week of migraines. Feel better soon. Very cute gowns.
Thank you Anja. That’s just how it goes sometimes. I am feeling better now (and so thankful for that!!)
Glad you are feeling better, and up to sewing good deeds! xo!
Thank you Sarah. These are such a fun (quick) project. We have family in town this weekend (all are still sleeping.) But next week, back to some quilting. Have a great weekend.
Thought of you this a.m. as I woke with another migraine. Ugh! Replaced my seam ripper and I’m ready to try that binding again! I’d love to be able to whip up a few of these for Amy.
Shoot, I am sorry to hear it Karen. You get even more of them than I do – it just stinks. Take care and hope it goes away SOON.
These are just adorable Bernie! I’m coming across a few DrEAMi! projects this month that are for worthwhile albeit rather sad, causes. So glad we quilters jump right in to help out with these needs. This is definitely another quintessential Drop Everything and Make it project, and thank you for linking up. Also can you send me the specs on the gowns as I might try to squeak one in between my frantic sewing for a deadline this weekend. Thanks!
Sandra, there is no hurry to make the gowns. The need is on-going so whenever you have an hour or so – feel free to make one (or 2 or 3!). They are so fun and a great way to use up little bits of fabric. Here is the link to the free tutorial. https://myagdollcraft.blogspot.com/2012/12/hospital-gown-and-wrist-band-for.html