Volunteer Crafting Guidelines

Items we are accepting:

Booties
Bonnets/Hats **Note: Matching Hat and Bootie Sets are not required. Be sure to check the Measurements Guide for correct sizing on sets. Double check that your hat and booties fall within the same size category
Blankets: Please see the Measurements Guide for sizes.
Clothing Items: Sweaters, Diaper Covers, Dresses, Diapers, Shirts, Onesies, Layette Sets, Sleepers, etc.
Bereavement Items: Gown Sets, Romper sets, KimonoSets, Burial Buntings, Angel Wraps, Miscarriage Wrappers
Bereavement Mementos: Hankies, Tiny Stuffed Teddy Bears and Bunnies, Angel Pins, Hearts etc.

Crafting Guidelines

Please read through the following guidelines before starting your handmade preemie clothing items. Thank You!

Yarn must be machine washable! The nurses will have to wash everything before they can be used. So it's important that your items will survive the washing machine.
Yarn/Fabric must be VERY soft! This is very important. Preemies have extremely thin, sensitive skin. Please choose your yarn accordingly.
It is helpful to use the SCRATCH TEST when choosing yarn:
Take the yarn/fabric and rub it on the inner side of your forearm. If it feels scratchy AT ALL, it is too rough to be used to make preemie items.***
We cannot use supplies that are too scratchy to make preemie items. The nurses will not use items that are too scratchy. Be extra sure that you choose soft materials so your gifts can be used and cherished. We have posted a list of suggested yarns to make things easier for our volunteers. #1 yarn colors - Families prefer to receive pastels. Pink and blue are highly requested!
Please pre-wash all of your sewing fabrics before starting the blankets and other items. This may be essential for your items to survive washing at the hospital.
Please see our Measurement Guide before starting an item. You want to be sure that your items wouldn't be too small for the smallest baby or too large for the largest.
SETS: When making a set, please check the measurements of each item in the set against the guide. It's important to be sure that the items in the set all fall within the same size category.
If your items get soiled while being made, please wash and dry them before sending. We want to present your gifts in good condition. Use a baby detergent such as Dreft, and do not use fabric softener.
Package your items in separate Ziploc bags. Include a donation tag, with your first and last name, in with each item or set. At the very least, please include your first name and last initial. We will forward all thank you letters. Having at least your first name and last initial on your donation tags will be helpful if we need to have a letter routed to you. If you wish, you may also include your city and state.
Please include your name, address and e-mail with your donation. We would like to be sure to give everyone credit for their contributions. This is so important!
Send your Donations to our National Office in Iowa, or choose a chapter to send your donations to! Click here for chapter information.

Volunteer Crafting Guidelines

Items we are accepting:

Crafting Guidelines

Volunteer Menu

Syndicate