Volunteer Crafting Guidelines

Items we are accepting:

Blanket Sleepers: Every baby in the UIHC NICU will receive a blanket sleeper as a part of the NICU "Back to Sleep" Campaign. We need to provide approximately 900 blanket sleepers each year. These sleepers are to be made from fleece. The NICU at University Hospital does NOT use knit and crochet Sleep Sacks like the popular Preemie Ripple Sleep Sack.
Booties
Hats - We DO NOT need any 1-3lb hats or booties at this time.
Blankets: Blankets must measure AT LEAST 30" by 30". Blankets may be knit or Crochet. The blanket should not have excessively large holes and should be made from the softest yarns. Sewn blankets for use in the NICU should be made from Fleece or flannel. Quilts or other blankets with seams through the blankets or ties, cannot be used in the NICU. Quilts will be donated for going home supplies and should be of standard or x-large size.
Bereavement Items: Gowns, Sleeper Sacks, Kimonos, Burial Buntings, Angel and Miscarriage Wraps
Bereavement Mementos: Mother's Tears Hankies, Small Stuffed Teddy Bears and Bunnies, Memento Bracelets
Memory Boxes

General Crafting Guidelines

Please read through the following guidelines before starting your items.

Materials: Yarn/Fabric must be very soft and machine washable! Wools are not accepted. See list of suggested yarns
Scratch Test:
***Rub the yarn/fabric on the inside of your forearm. If it feels at all scratchy it is too rough to be used to make preemie items. Pompadour type yarns are too scratchy for the preemies.***
Yarn colors: Pastel pink and blue are highly requested!
Please view our Measurement Guide. Make sure your the length and width of hats fall within the same size.
If your items get soiled while being made, please wash before sending. Use a baby detergent such as Dreft, and do not use fabric softener.
Packaging Your Donation: Use a separate Ziploc bag for each item or set. Include a donation tag, with your name. Please include your name and address with your donation.
Mail your Donations to The Preemie Project, 2607 Flagstone Ct. Coralville, IA. 52241. You can also drop them off at a donation center.

Bereavement Crafting Guidelines

Colors for Blankets and other Bereavement Items

Soft pastels work best. These colors complement the babies in photographs. Acceptable colors include soft shades of pink, blue, green, yellow, peach, green and variegated yarns.
White blankets are also needed for Christening/Baptismal purposes.

Yarn Selection

Soft baby yarn is preferred. A smaller gown is best in a lighter weight yarn or the tiny child will be overwhelmed by the weight of the garment.
Do not use excessively old yarn for these garments. Even the best baby yarn will become brittle and dry with age.

Sleeper Sacks

We need sleeper sacks of all sizes for both boys and girls. These are best in soft pastels. White sleeper sacks are appropriate for Christening/baptismal packages, especially the tiny sizes.

Gowns

As requested by the nursing staff, we donate gowns and other outfits to be used for bereavement purposes and for Christening/Baptism.

<1lb and 1-3lb sizes should have at least a partial sleeve and no elastic. Sleeves are not essential for the larger sizes.
They need to be long enough to cover over the feet. Please refer to our measurement guide for proper neck to foot length for each size.
If the pattern is excessively holey, please line the skirt with a soft fabric.
Bereavement gowns are best in pale pastels. If you choose to make a bereavement gown in white, include some pastel trim or lining to bring out the color.
Solid White gowns and outfits are needed in all sizes for christening and baptism. Christening/baptismal gowns should be long enough to flow over the feet.

Blankets

2/3 Of our bereavement blankets are used for receiving, holding, and burial. These blankets need to be in soft pastel colors, both solid and variegated yarns
1/3 Of our bereavement blankets are used for Christening and/or Baptism. These blankets need to be white. The NICU informed us that often parents wish to Christen/Baptize their babies when they are born in critical condition.

The Preemie Project continues to be non-secular. However we have chosen to support needs identified by the UIHC nursing staff.