Replies

1. 
   tmorris1 | Jul 29, 2007 02:45pm | #1

   Spicegirl;

   I make little shirts for the pediatric unit with holes in the middle for the children's gastric tubes. The t-shirts have embellishments like hearts and sailboats on them, and ribbon to tie up the excess surgical tubing. The kids love these, because they feel better with the tubing away from their skin, and the shirts are a little more stylish than a hospital gown.

   I love doing it, and have recruited a few girls in my area to help make more.

   T.

1. 
   ctirish | Jul 29, 2007 05:21pm | #2

   I have wanted to do something similar for the children's hospital in CT. Do you have a picture or a pattern of the shirt you could post or send to me? Thanks, jane

1. 
   tmorris1 | Jul 29, 2007 11:36pm | #3

   I will find the instructions, and post them here. Give me a couple of days.T

1. 
   ctirish | Jul 31, 2007 06:14am | #5

   Thank you, jane

1. 
   tmorris1 | Jul 31, 2007 06:34am | #6

   Jane;I first found the pattern on the "Sewing with Nancy" website. Nancy has a small section of her website dedicated to sewing for kindness, and has quite a few different ideas of what things can be made and donated as a gift of kindness. The shirt that I was talking about is called a "broviac top" and the instructions include a very touching story about a little girl named Hannah, and how her mother developed the top to help ease Hannah's suffering.https://www.nancysnotions.com/NNVia/viaShellPage.jsp?readPage=https://www.nancysnotions.com/NNVia/CustomPages/HannahsBroviacTop.htm

   Happy sewingTara

2. 
   ctirish | Jul 31, 2007 07:18am | #8

   Tara, Thank you so much. I had actually seen this version and I forgotten about it because I was looking for something for a newborn or infant. I am going to look at this and see if I can adapt it for the littler ones with the tubes. Thanks again, jane

3. 
   tmorris1 | Aug 05, 2007 05:37am | #9

   Jane;I have seen this type of pattern altered for infants by trimming a section of a "onesie" in the center (where the snaps are.) It apparently needs to be trimmed back so that the center seam does not overlap in a small section so that the tubes can come directly through.T.

4. 
   ctirish | Aug 08, 2007 05:39am | #10

   I think that is the solution. In comparing it to other infant patterns the main difference is in the length of the bodice or front.  I am not worried about any extra fabric in the width of the front because that is where all the tubes and hookups are for the babies.  Thank you for your help with this.  jane

5. 
   tmorris1 | Aug 08, 2007 05:54am | #11

   Jane; You are most welcome, it warms my heart to hear of others who love to sew simply to be kind. The difference that a little bit of time, and your sewing room scraps can make is sometimes life altering for others. Good luck, and keep up the wonderful work.T.

2. 
   Crazy K | Jul 30, 2007 02:35am | #4

   I just made two dresses, 2 prs. of shorts, 3 t-shirts, a pair of shorty pj's and a fleece blanket for a little girl who is a member of a family that lost everything they owned to fire.  Her six year old brother is hospitalized but I will be making a few things for him as well..........just that the little girl's needs were more immediate. 

   I do things like this whenever a need arises.  My neighbor has a great network and finds out about these needs and then calls me with a "can you help?" plea.  I also do some sewing for the homeless through our local Salv. Army but that's mostly winter gear.....hats, scarves, etc.

   It all makes me feel good that I can share my talent and abundance........and it helps those in need.  I guess its my 'ministry'.......and I feel blessed when I can help.

   Happy Stitching!

   Kay

3. 
   tmorris1 | Jul 31, 2007 07:03am | #7

   Spicegirl;

   I posted the link to a broviac top earlier. The other thing that I do is to take all of the scraps of fabric I have and make quilts for the homeless shelter out of them. The workmanship and color matching does not really matter, but then I am making them out of the scraps that I would normally end up tossing out anyway.

   T.