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!
Would Julie and her sister be interested in making and selling a few hospital gowns made to certain particular specifications? I do not sew; thus, a pattern would not be helpful. If interested, please e-mail me.
Thank You,
DFL
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Thank you so much for these tips. What a great project! I plan on making several of these for my aunt, who is currently bedridden while battling cancer. I hope I can cheer her up in some way.
Looking forward to digging in!
Sarah
How would you suggest adjusting the pattern for a woman who wears size 3X and has a very large bust?
Thanks so much for sharing this! I just made one for myself – I’m having a baby at the end of May and want something with a little more personality that the plain old hospital gown. It turned out great…thanks again!
I am so glad to find this idea and I also downloaded the same pattern from Lazy Girl Designs. I am a medical assistant at a small rural health clinic as well as a quilter, sewer and scrapbooker. I am looking for a pattern to use to make my clinic some bright new gowns to liven up the place as well as use some of my large fabric stash. This may even end up as a gown giveaway for those in the community.
very nice idea i just loved what you said in your blog, however there is a company that make these products at a very reasonable rate. check yourself go to http://www.jmommies.com and see for yourself
What do you think the best fabric to use is? a Cotton quilters blend or something “THICKER”?
Hi – I’m making gowns for a friend of mine about to deliver a baby girl, love the ideas about the ruffles and all. In looking at the photos, it show the gown tying in the back to the right – did you add a tie in the side seam? love these ideas, makes me want to make them for children and other patients.
i made a list to make a few of these for my friends 2 year old little girl who is having brain surgery in a few weeks.. what little girl would’nt want to wear a dora or fancy nancy gown instead of the boring hospital issued one. It brightened my day to find this link… just as the fun gown will brighten hers. thank you..
blessings
sarah wick