Just popping in to share the sweet gowns being made for Amy and her amazing dolls at A Doll Like Me. Really, if you want a fun project these are so easy to make and take little in the way of fabric, time or skill!
Just to remind you, Amy makes dolls for children (and some adults) who have special needs or limb or other physical differences. She knows the need for physical representation and the ability to see oneself as beautiful. Her work is amazing and has really taken off over the past two or three years. If you are unfamiliar with her work, please do check out her Facebook page.
The gowns we make and donate to Amy are given to children who have one of these dolls and are facing a hospital stay. There is a very therapeutic aspect in playing with their doll. Being able to dress up the doll in a hospital gown is one more way to deal with possible fear or anxiety around the upcoming stay.
The gowns you see above were made and donated by Wendy of Pieceful Thoughts. Love those emojis and the ice cream cones – fun fabrics the kids will relate to. Really, these are super simple and this tutorial will take you through the process. With a fat quarter or other similar size scrap and some bias tape, you can make a gown too!
I made these three gowns. I had super hero fabric left over from prior projects and thought these might be fun gowns. Also had that unicorn fabric sitting on the shelf. It was fun to pick out the fabric and think about the little ones who would dress their dolls and take them along to their next doctor visit or hospital stay. Even if they just act out the idea of being at the hospital or doctor’s office, this sort of pretend play is cathartic and necessary for children facing these challenges.
I remember last spring, my grand daughter developed a terrible case of hives with no known reason. She had a trip to the ER which was scary. They gave her a stuffed bunny while she was there. When she came home, we were talking over FaceTime. She would hold her new bunny and tell it, “Yes, that was scary. You’re ok. It’s all done”. This was a way for her to process that experience. I remember watching this and immediately thinking of all of Amy’s children who face scary situations far too frequently. How crucial it is for them to have a way to process all of it.
If you want to make one or two, please feel free. If you have questions, leave them in the comments and I will get back to you. Need the mailing info? Leave a comment and I will email it to you privately.
Thanks Carol and Wendy!! Amy will have a nice stack of gowns to send out as needed.
Ok, ok – You’re right. I can’t close before I share a picture of the girls.
This is a picture my son took last week. They are absolutely adorable. Big sis is three years old and little sis is three months old. (You are correct if you are thinking she isn’t all that little. Hahaha.)
Such adorable pictures you add to our days of your happy grandchildren.
That emoji fabric made an adorable gown. I had requests for super heroes fabric for masks so that is always popular. Think I used mine up already.
I have some gowns cut out and should get them sewn up in next couple of days. Could you kindly send me the address to where to mail them to?
Have a good day Bernie.
Hi Kathy – thank you for offering to make some gowns. I will send you an email with more details.
Your granddaughters are precious. Like you, my grandchildren live far away. Thank heavens for face time and photos.
I have been making the hospital gowns for Amy’s dolls since your first posting. She is very appreciative.
What a wonderful ministry she is doing.
I totally agree – FaceTime makes it much more bearable. I sure hope I get to see them this summer tho.
Thank you for continuing to support A Doll Like Me. Amy is very grateful and so am I!!!
Thanks, Bernie, for the highlight! I have to say, of the gowns I made, that emoji one is my favorite. I bought that fabric for a different project that never materialized (pun intended), so it was great to be able to use it. I really wanted to make two, but try as I might, I couldn’t eke out a second one. This is a good gathering of little gowns for Amy. I love the superhero fabric!
Yes – she is going to have a nicely replenished supply. Thank you for contributing! 🙂
Just to let you know, I’ve got several gowns in process. I’ll send a pic when they’re ready. I have Amy’s address. Thanks for the motivation. Beth
Oh, that is great Beth! I would love a picture. I will do another post when I have more pics to share! Take care and thank you so much.
Fabulous! Haven’t gotten to them yet but I will.
All in good time Kathleen. Amy will receive a stack now and I am sure she will be appreciative if more come down the road a bit. Go look for that bias tape maker!! 😉
Very cute gowns, Bernie. I just saw that Amy will be a case study in a new book, too. I think I might need a bunny myself! Stuffed animals and dolls are so good for trauma, a little one or a big one. The girls are adorable, as always! How do babies get to be so chunky? They don’t even eat cookies! It is the one time in your life when those extra chins are extra cute!
I think that too Mari – She gets nothing but breastmilk and she is just roly-poly. Nature is amazing. The kids are amazing too!!
Brilliant doll gowns by both Wendy and yourself . Love the super hero one , all kids in hospital are super heroes . My grandson had thank fully never been ill , but going to his nursery day care during the relaxation of the pandemic , he told his dad , nursery was broken. He says this every morning .
Your two little ones are sweet x
Thank you Helen!! My grand daughter keeps saying “Oh we can go (here or there) after all the germs are gone.” It is such a strange concept for them to grasp but she is trying. I remember when it was Easter she was so excited the Easter Bunny came to her house, even “when there was germs”. Silly girl. 🙂
I would love to make some gowns for Amy. I have some cute fabric. Just need to know where to mail them. Thanks
Have a great day!!!!
Wonderful!! Sending a separate email with details.
I just sent off a batch last week! I have several containers of bias tape, and it’s so satisfying to use FQs and the bias tape to make this quick projects!
Thank you Elizabeth!! That is wonderful. Your donations are very much appreciated. I hope you are doing well. 🙂
Oh my goodness, too much cuteness all in one post! Your granddaughters are cuties!
Thanks Janice. I am totally biased but I agree. They are such cuties. I might get to see them this July or August. Hurray!!!
i would love some more information about where to send the gowns. thank you for letting us know!
Thank you Marie. I will send you an email with more information. 🙂
I have 12 gowns ready and 12 little quilts to go with them.
Will get them to Amy as soon as I can.
Thank you for first spreading the news and then the reminder.
Thanks for the inspiration. So far I’ve made 2 gowns for boys, and would like to make a few more. Please let me know where to send them.
I am from Germany and coming to visit my son in Chicago in September. Would love to make some hospital giens for dolls.