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When love overflows you get this kind of story! A reader emailed me with a project she and her sister made for her mother during an illness.
Julie writes-
Our mother, ever stylish, is fully aware but unable to move much yet. Since we can’t stand to see her in another hospital issued gown that looks like men’s underwear, we decided to make our own. We’ve made zebra print with pink trim, purple and green batik, Lilly-Pulitzer inspired prints, cowboy print, etc.
My little sister wanted to learn how to sew and I am a home-ec major so we customized the gowns and have really gotten a kick out of how well our project has turned out.
The nurses get a real kick out of dressing my mother up and we love to see her in some color. Even better, you can widen the pattern for a maternity patient by using two right-sides in the back, instead of a right and a left. What a great shower gift for an expecting friend!
Some recommendations we would make for this pattern are:
-use double fold bias tape for the trim (easy and fast)
-lengthen the pattern at least 6 inches, not 3 as offered on the pattern, as it is very short for some reason.
-cut two right-sides of the pattern and skip the button in the back, using 4 pieces of grosgrain ribbon for the ties
-Use hammered in snaps, instead of Velcro on the sleeves (no sewing).
We really should send some pictures, but she’s wearing all of the finished ones! We’ve found if you use 2 right sides, you only need about 2 1/2 yards or 2 3/4 yards for each gown. We also skipped the pocket and cardiac monitor slash in the front, because we have yet to see a nurse thread them through the front of the gown and use it.
For bedridden family members, expecting friends, or even surgery or cancer treatment (for which this pattern was designed), it is a treat to give someone something special and practical to wear while they are sick. -Julie May
I could see these fabulous gowns adorned with a flower pin like on this apron! The flower pins would also make cute gifts for the female nurses. I also thought a pocket on the inside front would be perfect for holding any monitors or drainage bags. I think Julie and her sister went the extra mile to provide their mom extra comfort. Such a caring and thoughtful idea. I am sure their mom is so proud to have such kind and loving daughters!
Flora L says
My sister is trying to sew gowns for hospice nurses with no PPE available. They have requested a raglan sleeve. Do you have one? The link isnt working. Her email is
Thank you!!!!!!
Cindy Hopper says
Flora, so sorry I don’t have one.
Cathy says
Pinterest has the LazyGirl pattern. Just search for hospital gowns and it comes up.
Annette Jordan says
I would love to make this for my daughter, but it’s not available to down load, can you email it to me.
Cindy Hopper says
Annette, so sorry but I don’t think she included a pattern to download. This was a guest post and she only gave general directions.
Annette Jordan says
I’m looking for a pattern like this that is for size XXL
Cindy Hopper says
I am sorry but I don’t have a pattern for XXL. I wonder if you could try to draft one by measuring your daughter and drafting it on newsprint.
Sara says
Hi, this is amazing. Can you email me the pattern? It is no longer on the website you posted. Thank you so much!
Suzanne says
Will you make me one???
Rebecca says
How much would you charge to make me a hospital gown for my disable son? He loves guitars and I have no idea how much yards of material I should purchase. Any help would be very much appreciated. He wears a 4x T-shirt. Any help would be very much appreciated.
mario chavarria says
hey can you make a male hospital gown to look like he is wearing something for Thanksgiving.
Alice Hardy says
where can I get this pattern? I have a daughter in law 43, who had a brain stem stroke is and recovering in a nursing rehab facility. I want to make her some pretty gowns. I know this will make her feel better and special.
Rhoda Blake says
My sister and I are making hospital gowns/nightshirts for our Dad who is in long term care. We used farm/animal prints since he was a farmer, and they’ve turned out great!
JunkyMonkey says
Save time, buy the fabric tape that already has the snaps on it for the shoulder seams.
I made my first gown in 2010 because I like silky fabrics, V-neck’s and I wanted full coverage in in the back. Got many compliments, the nurses brought in other nurses to show off my gown!
Glad I put the slit and the inner pocket on it as I did have a drain tube and bag and needed that feature.
Naeemah Polhill says
You should please make a video showing how to cut the pattern and etc
Angela Eaton says
Here is the updated link:
http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/PDF/hospital_gown_A.pdf
Monique says
The link for the free pattern at Lazy Girl Design is no longer valid. I would love to make these for my mother who is now in a nursing home suffering from dimentia and no longer able to wear her own jammies. It is awful to see her have to wear hospital pjs all the time knowing she hates them.
I would appreciate it if you could send me the pattern and instructions. I do hope your mother has made a full recovery.
Thank you in advance for all of you help.l