Newborns In Need

Blankets or quilts from 18" x 22" for inside incubators, 30" square up to 36"x45" for newborn kits, or 45"x60" for incubator covers are needed now. We also use smaller blankets or quilts for burial kits (12" square, 18"x22" or 18" to 24" square). Fabrics used in the NICU should be soft (100% cotton, cotton knit, flannel, or fleece) and free of fabric softeners. Fabrics for blankets or quilts for newborn kits that will be used at home can be any fabric appropriate for babies (polycotton blends, 100% cotton, flannel, or fleece. Recently several hospitals have requested the 45" x 60" quilts to for them to cover incubators. Since the quilt goes home with the baby they are in constant need of these quilts.

I have included directions for the blankets and quilts at the end of this email and attached a couple of patterns for toys. If you have more questions please contact me again. You may also want to read our monthly newsletters. You can read the current newsletter as well as past issues on the www.newbornsinneed.org site. Click on "news and events" and then on "read our newsletters". We are the Mesa AZ Chapter. Thanks again for your offer of support and I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely, Shirleen Daniels, President Newborns in Need One Heart, One Mission Serving All God's Children http://www.newbornsinneed.org/mesa

Fleece Security Blanket: 12" x 12" square blanket

Select fleece fabric for the security blanket with matching Satin Blanket Binding. Choose baby-pastel fleece for NICU use, or a brighter, primary-colored fleece for children treated at the Barrow Neurological Center. Sew Satin Blanket Binding on with mitered or straight corners in a straight stitch or a zigzag stitch.

Hospital Incubator Blanket: 18" x 22" blanket

Select baby-pastel flannel or fleece fabric for the incubator blanket. Flannel blanket can be one thickness or two. One thickness: serge blanket edges, or turn under a narrow hem and stitch with a regular straight stitch or a zigzag stitch. Double thickness: stitch right sides of fabric together, leave opening, and turn inside out. Whipstitch opening closed. Sew ¼" seam all around the outside edges. If desired, sew blanket edges with blanket stitch in DMC embroidery floss or DMC #5 Pearl Cotton. Flannel incubator blanket can also have rounded corners. If desired, finish this blanket with a small crochet edge in Size 10, 100% Mercerized Cotton Crochet thread. No lace on the incubator blankets. Fleece blanket edges can be sewn with matching Satin Blanket Binding using straight or mitered corners, or finish fleece blanket edges with blanket stitch in DMC #5 Pearl Cotton.

Flannel Hospital Incubator Cover: Hill-Rom Isolette: 32" x 50" or Ohio Bed: 45" x 60"

Select two pieces of flannel fabric for the incubator cover with one piece in dark flannel, such as navy blue, and the other piece in any light baby-pastel color.

Sewing instructions: Regular Sewing Machine

Cut two pieces of flannel fabric either 32½" x 50½" or 45½" x 60½". Pin right sides of fabric together, sew ¼" seam all around and leave opening to turn cover inside out. Turn inside out and whipstitch opening closed.