NICU Project
Providence Little Company of Mary's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Service Project
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is designed to care for premature and ill newborn babies. Each year they provide care to over 250 infants and their families. The NICU staff at Providence Little Company of Mary has a need for some unique items that will help with the care and recovery of these precious little ones. They cannot be bought at a store but rather can be handmade. This is a unique opportunity for the crafting community to help. (NOTE: All of these items will be washed using hospital standards - very hot water and strong agitation. They therefore need to be carefully constructed). Donations are appreciated and accepted according to the guidelines below. You may drop off your items at the Community Services table during guild meetings or contact Erica Phillips to arrange a pickup. Click here for a PDF of the instructions.
Who to Contact
This project is managed and organized by Gail Von Vranken
She can be reached at Communityservices@southbayquiltersguild.org
Incubator Cover / Nursing Cover
These lightweight receiving blankets are used to cover the incubators while the lights are on to protect the baby's eyes. They double as nursing covers giving the mothers some modesty while nursing.
MATERIAL: Light colored, pastel flannel fabric (no strong prints, or bright colors)
DIRECTIONS: This receiving blanket comprises just 2 pieces of fabric (top and bottom - no batting). Sew 2 pieces of fabric right sides together. Turn inside out. Sew the opening closed and around the whole blanket to stabilize.
FINISHED SIZE: 36" x 36"
MATERIAL: Light colored, pastel flannel fabric (no strong prints, or bright colors)
DIRECTIONS: This receiving blanket comprises just 2 pieces of fabric (top and bottom - no batting). Sew 2 pieces of fabric right sides together. Turn inside out. Sew the opening closed and around the whole blanket to stabilize.
FINISHED SIZE: 36" x 36"
Scent Cloths
Babies and mothers are separated for varying periods of time during their time in the NICU. These cloths are worn by the mother transferring her scent and then placed by the baby in their crib giving the baby comfort. MATERIAL: Solid pastel flannel fabric (no prints, or bright colors)
DIRECTIONS: Cut 2 rectangles 5"x 6". Place the rectangles right sides together. Sew together using a 1/4" seam leaving a 2" opening. Trim the corners. Turn right-side out pushing out the corners and sew the opening closed and around the remaining sides to stabilize.
FINISHED SIZE: 4.5 inches x 5.25 inches
DIRECTIONS: Cut 2 rectangles 5"x 6". Place the rectangles right sides together. Sew together using a 1/4" seam leaving a 2" opening. Trim the corners. Turn right-side out pushing out the corners and sew the opening closed and around the remaining sides to stabilize.
FINISHED SIZE: 4.5 inches x 5.25 inches
Pillowcase
Baby's heads are soft and malleable. In order to prevent flattening, the nurses use these pillowcases to place moldable material inside allowing them to direct the baby's heads.
MATERIAL: Light colored flannel fabric (no strong prints, or bright colors)
DIRECTIONS: Cut 1 rectangle 13"x19". Double fold one side of the long side of the fabric creating a 1/2" cuff using the French seam method. FoId rectangle wrong sides together and sew side and bottom together using a seam allowance. Turn out and press. Sew along the seams using a generous 1/4" seam allowance. Turn out and press.
FINISHED SIZE: 9"x11"
MATERIAL: Light colored flannel fabric (no strong prints, or bright colors)
DIRECTIONS: Cut 1 rectangle 13"x19". Double fold one side of the long side of the fabric creating a 1/2" cuff using the French seam method. FoId rectangle wrong sides together and sew side and bottom together using a seam allowance. Turn out and press. Sew along the seams using a generous 1/4" seam allowance. Turn out and press.
FINISHED SIZE: 9"x11"
Tube Pillowcase
These pillowcases are used to encase tong sandbags that allow the babies to have resistance when they kick.
MATERIAL: Any light-colored material
DIRECTIONS: Cut I rectangle 12" x 48". Double fold the material at one end creating a half inch cuff. Fold the width in half right sides together. Using an overhand stitch sew up the side and bottom using 1/4" seam. Turn right-side out pushing out the corners.
FINISHED SIZE: 48" x 6"
MATERIAL: Any light-colored material
DIRECTIONS: Cut I rectangle 12" x 48". Double fold the material at one end creating a half inch cuff. Fold the width in half right sides together. Using an overhand stitch sew up the side and bottom using 1/4" seam. Turn right-side out pushing out the corners.
FINISHED SIZE: 48" x 6"
Eye Shields
Premature babies eyes are very sensitive to light. These eye shields are placed over the baby's eyes when the lights are on, allowing the nurses to provide necessary care.
MATERIAL: Black Minky Dot fabric
DIRECTIONS: Cut 2 rectangles 6"xI0". Place the rectangles right sides together. Sew together using a 5/8" seam leaving a 2" opening. Trim the corners. Turn right-side out pushing out the corners and sew the opening closed.
FINISHED SIZE: 4.5 inches x 8.75 inches
MATERIAL: Black Minky Dot fabric
DIRECTIONS: Cut 2 rectangles 6"xI0". Place the rectangles right sides together. Sew together using a 5/8" seam leaving a 2" opening. Trim the corners. Turn right-side out pushing out the corners and sew the opening closed.
FINISHED SIZE: 4.5 inches x 8.75 inches