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!
Hi, Hope you can help. I can sew, but am not good with enlarging patters. I need a pattern for a XXXXl person . Can you help me?
I hope you can help. My husband is in the bed or a wheelchair all day. He gets too chilled with the lightweight hospital gowns, so I would like to make him a few heavy duty material ones. But finding a pattern for him is impossible. He wears an XXXL gown. Is there any way you can help me get a pattern to fit? I thought of getting a ready made gown and taking it apart, but they are a bit expensive to use as a pattern.
Help, please!
Maggie D.
I love it! Who knew hospital gowns could look so good!
I have a few weeks before my baby is due, and I plan to make one of these. What a wonderful gift to make for others who are in the hospital! I think my 97 year old grandmother might like one too!
I made one of these to wear when I had my daughter last year. It wasn’t too difficult, but I found that the neckline was much too high. I cut the V lower and added some fun ruffle ribbon. My friend made me a cute matching flower for my hair. I was the talk of the maternity ward, partially for the cute gown and partially for my crazy 23 minute delivery!
PLEASE,
Where to find the photos of the ‘finished product’??? I’m a terribly ‘visually oriented’ person and would LOVE to see what you’ve described.
Please?
grateful for His gifts, HveHope
Thanks so much for sharing. I am currently on bed rest (have been in and out of the hospital) and have had way too much time to think about my upcoming stay in the hospital. This would be such a fun addition to my stay! How great would those first pictures look with the baby if I had on a way cool gown : ) Thanks again!
I’ve been making hospital gowns for myself as well! I go to the hospital every 4 weeks for treatment and the ugly ones are just…well, ugly. I think I even have one in the same paisley blue/green material as one of your pics! ha ha!!!
And the nurses and hospital staff totally love to see all the fun, bright colors. It definitely cheers up the day for everyone, not just me. If anyone is interested in seeing a finished product, you can look at my slideshow on my AVM website.
http://sites.google.com/site/shalonsavm/pictures/glamour-gowns
This is such a cool idea! I included it on my weekly link roundup – link to the post is under my name. Thanks so much for sharing!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE post pics of the final product! Especially if someone were wearing it.
This is such an AWESOME idea! Thank you so much.
Wonderful ~ Thank you sew much for the tips on the pattern. I’m going to jot done your note, download the pattern and sew up a blessing or two for some special people. May even get a group of young girls together and make these as community service gifts. ~ Totally inspired !!!!!
So sweet. I hope my craftiness rubs off on my daughters so they’ll bond and make me pretty hospital gowns some day : )
That is so sweet!
I would love to see a picture of a finished gown.
I have a friend, currently hodspitalized with luekemia. This would be just the thing to brighten his day! I am going to make at least one of these, Maybe more. We’ll see how it goes.