9
 
(photo: thechronicleherald.ca)
 
TQS received a very heartfelt message from Deborah McDonald in Nova Scotia. For the past 8 or 9 years she has kept busy turning donated wedding gowns and prom dresses into demise gowns for the IWK Children’s Hospital.
 
Deborah writes:
 
"I live in Nova Scotia, Canada. I do a very unique thing for our local children's hospital the IWK in Halifax, I sew Demise gowns for infants who have passed away or who will soon pass away. I also make angle pockets for early trimester miscarriage for infants too small or fragile to dress. As you can image this is a very emotionally difficult job to do and I am the only person sewing them for the hospital. I have been sewing them now for about 8-9 years and have made too many to count. I am the only person sewing the gowns for the entire Atlantic provinces of Canada that includes, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick,, lots of  sewing to be done by just little old me.

They look like christening gowns but are very tiny as they fit infants from 1-3 pounds and I also make them to fit full term children. My story was picked up by the paper, the Chronicle Herald in Halifax  and also by our radio CBC and CBC international. "
 
Deborah is looking for donations of fabric and thread. She will take any and all thread colors and fabrics as she makes the tiny gowns in many colors. She says that any amount of thread or fabric is a help and very much appreciated. Her mailing address is:

Deborah MacDonald
3287 Greenfield Rd.
Wolfville Ridge
NS
B4P 2R3
Canada
 

Comments   
#13 Mindy Ashwood 2017-10-13 22:05
I too make the Angel Dresses.... I live in PEI , Canada..... I have been doing this for only the past year and a half, since my own daughter lost her baby, my own way to give back. I make four different sizes for the babies from full term size to micro babies at 1 - 2 lbs.... I supply the hospitals in Summerside and Charlottetown as well as I've supplied to the IWK in Halifax... My plans are to supply to the hospitals where my children were also born.... Keep well to all who perform this labour of love. Po box 175, Tyne Valley, PE. C0B 2C0
#12 intlqltr 2017-10-02 20:22
www.NICU Helping Hands.org is an organization started by Lisa Grubbs in TX in 2010. Their Angel Gown program started in 2013 now involves over 700 seamstresses across the US. Debbie, you are not alone! Bless you for your love and care.
#11 Jeanne Whittle 2017-09-30 15:42
How can I get in touch with the ladies that do this in Texas?
#10 Sharon Joy 2017-09-30 11:14
We, also, have an organization that uses wedding gowns to make burial clothes for infants (both male and female). The gowns are deconstructed, then sewn into lovely little gowns. It's a wonderful organization with some very talented women; and, supplies a number of hospitals in the Texas Hill Country.
#9 Meta Hodson 2017-09-30 06:24
A lovely thing to do. Wish we had had that option in my hospital years ago. NICU pieced blankets about all I do now.
#8 DebbieMac 2017-09-30 06:17
HI me again,,, anyone who wishes to help me my home email is my home mailing address is in the write up above. But NOTE, I do live in Canada and I know shipping is expensive.
#7 DebbieMac 2017-09-30 06:15
HI

I do not know how to communicate with the above ladies who wish to help. My home email is so for Mary Jo Mark, please email me and my mailing address is in the write up about the gowns.NOTE< I am in Canada. I do use donated wedding gowns to make the outside of the gowns. But not everyone wants them white, not everyone is a christian, so I mank them in many colours, and fabrics,, all only COTTONS, soft,, comforting
#6 Mary Jo Mark 2017-09-29 18:06
I wish I could communicate with her, I have so much fabric and threads to send to her
#5 annw 2017-09-29 14:11
There is a group in UK run by a lovely lady called Purdy Garcia, she makes gowns out of donated wedding dresses, carefully unpicking all the lace and beads to re-use. Also makes matching tiny quilts, knits hats etc for these little babes. I hope you find more ladies to sew with you Deborah, you are giving a better memory to the bereaved parents.
#4 Mary Jo Mark 2017-09-29 13:13
What a beautiful message from a grand lady.
Many years ago I had a heirloom sewing shop. When I closed it, I was left with gobs of fine fabrics and beautiful laces. We sewed little boy and girls heirloom outfits.

I would love to send these fabrics and laces to you, as well as any threads that you would need. Please correspond to me, and let me know what you think.
Add comment