WeeCare information

In an effort to have all my information about wee care designs and posts in one place, I will consolidate everything here. I'll continue to add new messages in the daily lists but will add them here too so they are easy to find.

First of all: sizes.

From October 2007.

WEECARE Preemie Project

WEECARE.

Wee: adj. small, tiny
Care: noun. A burdened state of mind, as that arising from heavy responsibilities; worry.
verb. To be concerned or interested; To provide needed assistance

WeeCare is the philantropy of the Smocking Arts Guild of America. Smockers and embroideresses from around the world stitch gowns, bonnets, blankets, burial wraps to donate to local hospital NICUs.
These items are used in many ways, depending on the desires of the Unit.

Some units use garments to dress the neonates. Dressing these tiny creatures helps the parents see beyond the tubes, wires and machines. They see them as babies. THEIR baby.

Some pieces are used as going home gifts to the families. Preemie graduation from the NICU, dressed in a handmade pretty.

Some units choose to use the donations for bereavement. Nurses bathe then dress the newborn to present to the parents. A gown, a bonnet or an embroidered blanket to wrap the tiniest ones, too small to fit in anything even we can imagine. When making these tiny wraps, a friend commented, they look like handerchiefs. Yes, yes they do.
I remind myself of the importance of that set to the one family who will have their littlest bundle of joy only for a few minutes.
They will still unwrap the bundle.
Count the toes.
Hold the tiny little fingers on the edge of their hands and wonder at the possibilities.
The might have beens.
But in that time, I have provided them something they never thought they would need.
I saved Dad from having to choose something that does not exist in the real world.
That is our mission. And that is why we celebrate WEECARE. Because, we love the unknown families who had hopes and dreams and now must let them go.

This is a chart for weights and lengths and head circumferences.
I believe this chart was given to Palmetto Pleaters, a SAGA chapter in SC.

weeks /weight / length / head circ.
24..... 1.5# .... 13.5"... 9"
26..... 2.0#.... 14" .... 9.5"
28..... 2.5#.... 15".... 10"
30..... 3.0# .... 16" .... 10.5"
32..... 3.5#.... 17".... 11.5"
34..... 4.5#.... 18".... 12.5"
36..... 5.5#.... 19".... 13"

This is a link to another gestational age/size chart:
http://www.babylinq.com/ind

It is hard to imagine the size of premature newborns.
It is difficult to fathom even when you are looking into an isolet, seeing it for yourself.
This tiny creature attached to wires, tubes, machines should still be inside Mommy growing safe and sound.
Sometimes growing is better outside thanks to modern medicine and miracle workers.

When I see the dateline tickers for pregnancy, I marvel at the details.
I'm 34 weeks old, I'm over 5#, 18" long, my kidneys are fully developed & my liver is finishing up.
I'm 31 weeks old, nearly 4# and 17" tall.
I'm 27 weeks old, I'm about 2.4#, my eyelashes are growing in.
34 weeks, the weight of a bag of sugar. WOW!

A tennis ball is 8.25" in circumference.
A baseball 9.25"

At 24 weeks, the average head size is 9". Next time you pick up a baseball, think about that. 24 weeks along.
The average length is 13.5" and weight: 1.5#. her fingernails were finished 2 weeks before.
Sadly, she isn't going to make it outside Mommy. She is perfect. Her teeny tiny fingers have nails.

This is where WEECARE comes in.
I was asked, what size to make for these babies.
At 24 weeks:
Her bonnet would be 7" from ear to ear.
Front to back would be 3.25".
Pleat 22" X 3.25" with 4 half spaces, 1cm (one needle space) from the front edge.
Flatten this out, add 1/4" -3/8" lace to the front edge by rolling & whipping. Press the lace forward.
Remove pleats from 1/2" at each short edge. Turn under with a narrow hem.
Hem the back edge by turning under 1/2", then turn half of that under to form a 1/4" casing for 1/8" ribbon.
Pull up the gathering threads and tie off to about 5".
Smock a very simple design over 3 halfspaces. Cables, half-space babywaves, something simple.
Add ties to each side, 9" long, of 1/4" ribbon.
Weave 18" of 1/8" ribbon into the back casing. Draw up the casing with the ribbon, tying the ribbon into a bow.

A blanket wrap would be appropriate for this size instead of a gown.

To make a matching blanket:
Cut 12" -16" square of batiste, broadcloth or flannel for each blanket.
Attach 1/2"-1" lace by rolling and whipping to all 4 edges.
Press lace outward.
You could embroider a small motif in one corner of the blanket. Perhaps a small spray of flowers or a shadow-worked bow?

Now go hug your children.
maggieb!

In celebration of WeeCare and SAGA, I share with my blog readers this WeeCare Bonnet smocking design. WEECARE Bonnet Smocking Plate This design covers 140 pleats. Pleat 5 rows. Use halfspaces for precision smocking, although counts are based on full rows. Use 2 strands of floss throughout. 1. R3: Begin with an under cable, Cable3. 2 step, quarter trellis up to R2.5. Cable1 on R2.5. 2 step, quarter trellis down to R3. Cable 3 on R3. Repeat to the end of the pleats. You should have 13 peaks. 2. R3: Begin with an over cable, Cable 3. 2 step, quarter trellis down to R3.5. Cable 1 on R3.5. 2 step, quarter trellis up to R3. Cable 3 on R3, butting up against the previous stitches. 3. Skipping the first pleat... R3: Cable 1, under cable, directly over the center cable on the previously place cables. 4 step, quarter trellis up to R2. Cable 1 on R2. 4 step, quarter trellis down to R3. Cable 1, again, directly over the center cable on the previously place stitches. Repeat across, ending with a single cable, one pleat in from the edge. 4. Repeat the above stitch UNDER the previously placed stitches on R3, working from R3 down to R4. 5. Cable stitch R2. Begin with an over cable. 6. Cable stitch R4. Begin with an under cable. 7. Cable 3, beginning with an under cable. Trellis 2 one-eighth steps (tiny!) up to R1.75. Cable 1 on R1.75. Trellis 2 down to R2. Cable 3. Continue across. 8. Cable 3, beginning with an over cable. Trellis 2 one-eighth steps down to R4.25. Cable 1. etc across. Notice of Copyright: ©2006, Maggie Bunch. Materials contained herein are copyrighted and may not be reproduced by any means without express written consent of the author.

 

SAGA (Smocking Arts Guild of America) is hosting its Convention in Atlanta, GA, October 14-19; visit smocking.org to register for classes. If classes aren’t right for you this time but you are in the Atlanta area, please stop by the Westin Peachtree (the tall round building) downtown. The WEE CARE display is a sight to behold. Over one thousand bonnets, gowns and blankets will be showcased in the Hospitality Suite. Donated pieces will be distributed to Atlanta NICUs after Convention.

Six years ago I offered to provide 100 ready to smock preemie bonnet kits for a sit and smock in the Hospitality Suite the day before SAGA Convention. The only catch was the bonnets had to be turned back in before the end of Convention. Guests were encouraged to take the early flight to join the sit and smock. And they did. We distributed over 75 bonnet kits in the first hour! The Hospitality Suite was buzzing! New and experienced smockers joined the bonnet smock-in. By Banquet, the Hospitality Suite had a pyramid of 90 something smocked preemie bonnets, each in its own clear gift box.

WHY did I start the Wee Care Bonnet Project?

I heard the same story over and over from SAGA members on why they didn’t
participate in WeeCare. It was too sad; it was morbid. I was on a mission to
teach members that WeeCare is more than bereavement gowns. WeeCare is also a
celebration of life! These bonnets are given to parents as their little ones
graduate from the NICU to head home.

The WeeCare Bonnet project has grown by leaps and bound. Various Chapters and Groups pleat and kit bonnets as well as sew blankets and wraps for SAGA members to stitch while at Convention. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to each person who has DONATED floss, ribbon, lace or needles and everything else needed to help grow this event! THANK YOU to each VOLUNTEER who has pleated,
rolled & whipped lace, serged or crocheted edges. THANK YOU to our smockers
and embroiderers. You may never know the lives you have touched. Thank You for
thinking of each recipient before they knew they needed our love.

SweeTheart, a precious little design showing the sweetest wee hearts from the front or back view.

Preemie size: 32-34 weeks gestation. This bonnet will fit a softball, for reference.

Materials:

Batiste rectangle, 5.75” X 31"
Lace edging, 1/4" X 31”
Embroidery floss
Smocking needle
Ribbon, double-faced satin, 24” each of 1⁄4” & 1/8”

Design covers 118 pleats.

Smock with two strands of stripped floss.
Pleat 9 Half Space Rows one full Row from the fabric edge.
Use white thread for thetop and bottom Holding Rows, color for the middle rows.
Colored Rows are referred to as whole rows numbered 1-7.

Leave gathering threads long enough to flatten pleating in order to apply lace
edging.
Roll and Whip a narrow (.25”) cotton lace edging to the long pleated edge.
Remove pleats from the left side, .75”.
Count 118 pleats.
Tie off gathering threads in threes to 6”-7”.
Trim right side down to .75”.

Smock in the following order: center two passes, back two passes, front two passes.
HINT: it will be easier to smock the front two passes up side down. Pull the
gathering threads to the opposite side then hold the lace edge in the palm of
your hand. This is a tight edge especially with the lace attached. Be patient
with these two passes.

~~Center motif:
Begin the top pass with an Over Cable at R3.5.
Half-step trellis down to R4.
Under Cable on R4.
Half-step trellis up to R3.5.

Completing the bottom of the diamond motif with the second pass:
Begin the bottom pass with an Under Cable on R4.5
Half-step trellis up to R4.
Over Cable on R4.

~~Back motif:
Begin the top pass with an Under Cable on R5.5.
Half-step trellis up to R5.
Over Cable on R.5.
Half-step trellis down to R5.5.
Continue this small wave across the entire Row. This will form the top of the WEE hearts
and alternating diamonds.

 Begin the bottom pass with an Over Cable on R5.5.
Trellis 3 steps down to R7.
Under Cable on R7.
Trellis 3 steps up to R5.5.
Over Cable on R5.5.
Trellis 1 step down to R6.
Under Cable on R6. 
Trellis 1 step up to R5.5.
Trellis 3 steps down to R7.
Under Cable on R7.

~~FRONT motif: NOTE: This is being worked up side down from the rest of the stitching!
Begin the top pass with an Under Cable on R2.5.
Half-step trellis up to R3.
Over Cable on R.3.
Half-step trellis down to R2.5.
Continue this small wave across the entire Row. This will form the top of the WEE hearts
and alternating diamonds.

Begin the bottom pass with an Over Cable on R2.5.
Trellis 3 steps down to R1.
Under Cable on R1.
Trellis 3 steps up to R2.5.
Over Cable on R2.5.
Trellis 1 step down to R2.
Under Cable on R2.
Trellis 1 step up to R2.5.
Trellis 3 steps down to R1.
Under Cable on R1.

Finishing the bonnet:
Finish the side edges by turning under 1⁄4” twice, stitch in place by hand or machine.
Finish the long back edge by turning under 1⁄4” twice, stitch in place by hand or machine.
Run 24” of 1/8” double-faced satin ribbon through the back hem casing.
Draw ribbon up and tie in a bow.

Stitch 24” of 1⁄4” double-faced satin ribbon to the bonnet sides below the baby diamond motif.
Loop this from one side to the other leaving ribbon uncut.

Stitching more repeats and adding a third strand of floss can expand this bonnet design.

Notice of Copyright: ©2008, Maggie Bunch. Materials contained herein are copyrighted
and may not be reproduced by any means without express written consent of the
author.

WEECARE.

Wee: adj. small, tiny
Care: noun. A burdened state of mind, as that arising from heavy responsibilities; worry.
verb. To be concerned or interested; To provide needed assistance

WeeCare is the philantropy of the Smocking Arts Guild of America. Smockers and embroideresses from around the world stitch gowns, bonnets, blankets, burial wraps to donate to local hospital NICUs.
These items are used in many ways, depending on the desires of the Unit.

Some units use garments to dress the neonates. Dressing these tiny creatures helps the parents see beyond the tubes, wires and machines. They see them as babies. THEIR baby.

Some pieces are used as going home gifts to the families. Preemie graduation from the NICU, dressed in a handmade pretty.

Some units choose to use the donations for bereavement. Nurses bathe then dress the newborn to present to the parents. A gown, a bonnet or an embroidered blanket to wrap the tiniest ones, too small to fit in anything even we can imagine. When making these tiny wraps, a friend commented, they look like handerchiefs. Yes, yes they do.
I remind myself of the importance of that set to the one family who will have their littlest bundle of joy only for a few minutes.
They will still unwrap the bundle.
Count the toes.
Hold the tiny little fingers on the edge of their hands and wonder at the possibilities.
The might have beens.
But in that time, I have provided them something they never thought they would need.
I saved Dad from having to choose something that does not exist in the real world.
That is our mission. And that is why we celebrate WEECARE. Because, we love the unknown families who had hopes and dreams and now must let them go.

This is a chart for weights and lengths and head circumferences.
I believe this chart was given to Palmetto Pleaters, a SAGA chapter in SC.

weeks /weight / length / head circ.
24..... 1.5# .... 13.5"... 9"
26..... 2.0#.... 14" .... 9.5"
28..... 2.5#.... 15".... 10"
30..... 3.0# .... 16" .... 10.5"
32..... 3.5#.... 17".... 11.5"
34..... 4.5#.... 18".... 12.5"
36..... 5.5#.... 19".... 13"

This is a link to another gestational age/size chart:
http://www.babylinq.com/ind

It is hard to imagine the size of premature newborns.
It is difficult to fathom even when you are looking into an isolet, seeing it for yourself.
This tiny creature attached to wires, tubes, machines should still be inside Mommy growing safe and sound.
Sometimes growing is better outside thanks to modern medicine and miracle workers.

When I see the dateline tickers for pregnancy, I marvel at the details.
I'm 34 weeks old, I'm over 5#, 18" long, my kidneys are fully developed & my liver is finishing up.
I'm 31 weeks old, nearly 4# and 17" tall.
I'm 27 weeks old, I'm about 2.4#, my eyelashes are growing in.
34 weeks, the weight of a bag of sugar. WOW!

A tennis ball is 8.25" in circumference.
A baseball 9.25"

At 24 weeks, the average head size is 9". Next time you pick up a baseball, think about that. 24 weeks along.
The average length is 13.5" and weight: 1.5#. her fingernails were finished 2 weeks before.
Sadly, she isn't going to make it outside Mommy. She is perfect. Her teeny tiny fingers have nails.

This is where WEECARE comes in.
I was asked, what size to make for these babies.
At 24 weeks:
Her bonnet would be 7" from ear to ear.
Front to back would be 3.25".
Pleat 22" X 3.25" with 4 half spaces, 1cm (one needle space) from the front edge.
Flatten this out, add 1/4" -3/8" lace to the front edge by rolling & whipping. Press the lace forward.
Remove pleats from 1/2" at each short edge. Turn under with a narrow hem.
Hem the back edge by turning under 1/2", then turn half of that under to form a 1/4" casing for 1/8" ribbon.
Pull up the gathering threads and tie off to about 5".
Smock a very simple design over 3 halfspaces. Cables, half-space babywaves, something simple.
Add ties to each side, 9" long, of 1/4" ribbon.
Weave 18" of 1/8" ribbon into the back casing. Draw up the casing with the ribbon, tying the ribbon into a bow.

A blanket wrap would be appropriate for this size instead of a gown.

To make a matching blanket:
Cut 12" -16" square of batiste, broadcloth or flannel for each blanket.
Attach 1/2"-1" lace by rolling and whipping to all 4 edges.
Press lace outward.
You could embroider a small motif in one corner of the blanket. Perhaps a small spray of flowers or a shadow-worked bow?

Now go hug your children.
maggieb!

In celebration of WeeCare and SAGA, I share with my blog readers this WeeCare Bonnet smocking design. WEECARE Bonnet Smocking Plate This design covers 140 pleats. Pleat 5 rows. Use halfspaces for precision smocking, although counts are based on full rows. Use 2 strands of floss throughout. 1. R3: Begin with an under cable, Cable3. 2 step, quarter trellis up to R2.5. Cable1 on R2.5. 2 step, quarter trellis down to R3. Cable 3 on R3. Repeat to the end of the pleats. You should have 13 peaks. 2. R3: Begin with an over cable, Cable 3. 2 step, quarter trellis down to R3.5. Cable 1 on R3.5. 2 step, quarter trellis up to R3. Cable 3 on R3, butting up against the previous stitches. 3. Skipping the first pleat... R3: Cable 1, under cable, directly over the center cable on the previously place cables. 4 step, quarter trellis up to R2. Cable 1 on R2. 4 step, quarter trellis down to R3. Cable 1, again, directly over the center cable on the previously place stitches. Repeat across, ending with a single cable, one pleat in from the edge. 4. Repeat the above stitch UNDER the previously placed stitches on R3, working from R3 down to R4. 5. Cable stitch R2. Begin with an over cable. 6. Cable stitch R4. Begin with an under cable. 7. Cable 3, beginning with an under cable. Trellis 2 one-eighth steps (tiny!) up to R1.75. Cable 1 on R1.75. Trellis 2 down to R2. Cable 3. Continue across. 8. Cable 3, beginning with an over cable. Trellis 2 one-eighth steps down to R4.25. Cable 1. etc across. Notice of Copyright: ©2006, Maggie Bunch. Materials contained herein are copyrighted and may not be reproduced by any means without express written consent of the author.

 

SAGA (Smocking Arts Guild of America) is hosting its Convention in Atlanta, GA, October 14-19; visit smocking.org to register for classes. If classes aren’t right for you this time but you are in the Atlanta area, please stop by the Westin Peachtree (the tall round building) downtown. The WEE CARE display is a sight to behold. Over one thousand bonnets, gowns and blankets will be showcased in the Hospitality Suite. Donated pieces will be distributed to Atlanta NICUs after Convention.

Six years ago I offered to provide 100 ready to smock preemie bonnet kits for a sit and smock in the Hospitality Suite the day before SAGA Convention. The only catch was the bonnets had to be turned back in before the end of Convention. Guests were encouraged to take the early flight to join the sit and smock. And they did. We distributed over 75 bonnet kits in the first hour! The Hospitality Suite was buzzing! New and experienced smockers joined the bonnet smock-in. By Banquet, the Hospitality Suite had a pyramid of 90 something smocked preemie bonnets, each in its own clear gift box.

WHY did I start the Wee Care Bonnet Project?

I heard the same story over and over from SAGA members on why they didn’t
participate in WeeCare. It was too sad; it was morbid. I was on a mission to
teach members that WeeCare is more than bereavement gowns. WeeCare is also a
celebration of life! These bonnets are given to parents as their little ones
graduate from the NICU to head home.

The WeeCare Bonnet project has grown by leaps and bound. Various Chapters and Groups pleat and kit bonnets as well as sew blankets and wraps for SAGA members to stitch while at Convention. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to each person who has DONATED floss, ribbon, lace or needles and everything else needed to help grow this event! THANK YOU to each VOLUNTEER who has pleated,
rolled & whipped lace, serged or crocheted edges. THANK YOU to our smockers
and embroiderers. You may never know the lives you have touched. Thank You for
thinking of each recipient before they knew they needed our love.

SweeTheart, a precious little design showing the sweetest wee hearts from the front or back view.

Preemie size: 32-34 weeks gestation. This bonnet will fit a softball, for reference.

Materials:

Batiste rectangle, 5.75” X 31"
Lace edging, 1/4" X 31”
Embroidery floss
Smocking needle
Ribbon, double-faced satin, 24” each of 1⁄4” & 1/8”

Design covers 118 pleats.

Smock with two strands of stripped floss.
Pleat 9 Half Space Rows one full Row from the fabric edge.
Use white thread for thetop and bottom Holding Rows, color for the middle rows.
Colored Rows are referred to as whole rows numbered 1-7.

Leave gathering threads long enough to flatten pleating in order to apply lace
edging.
Roll and Whip a narrow (.25”) cotton lace edging to the long pleated edge.
Remove pleats from the left side, .75”.
Count 118 pleats.
Tie off gathering threads in threes to 6”-7”.
Trim right side down to .75”.

Smock in the following order: center two passes, back two passes, front two passes.
HINT: it will be easier to smock the front two passes up side down. Pull the
gathering threads to the opposite side then hold the lace edge in the palm of
your hand. This is a tight edge especially with the lace attached. Be patient
with these two passes.

~~Center motif:
Begin the top pass with an Over Cable at R3.5.
Half-step trellis down to R4.
Under Cable on R4.
Half-step trellis up to R3.5.

Completing the bottom of the diamond motif with the second pass:
Begin the bottom pass with an Under Cable on R4.5
Half-step trellis up to R4.
Over Cable on R4.

~~Back motif:
Begin the top pass with an Under Cable on R5.5.
Half-step trellis up to R5.
Over Cable on R.5.
Half-step trellis down to R5.5.
Continue this small wave across the entire Row. This will form the top of the WEE hearts
and alternating diamonds.

 Begin the bottom pass with an Over Cable on R5.5.
Trellis 3 steps down to R7.
Under Cable on R7.
Trellis 3 steps up to R5.5.
Over Cable on R5.5.
Trellis 1 step down to R6.
Under Cable on R6. 
Trellis 1 step up to R5.5.
Trellis 3 steps down to R7.
Under Cable on R7.

~~FRONT motif: NOTE: This is being worked up side down from the rest of the stitching!
Begin the top pass with an Under Cable on R2.5.
Half-step trellis up to R3.
Over Cable on R.3.
Half-step trellis down to R2.5.
Continue this small wave across the entire Row. This will form the top of the WEE hearts
and alternating diamonds.

Begin the bottom pass with an Over Cable on R2.5.
Trellis 3 steps down to R1.
Under Cable on R1.
Trellis 3 steps up to R2.5.
Over Cable on R2.5.
Trellis 1 step down to R2.
Under Cable on R2.
Trellis 1 step up to R2.5.
Trellis 3 steps down to R1.
Under Cable on R1.

Finishing the bonnet:
Finish the side edges by turning under 1⁄4” twice, stitch in place by hand or machine.
Finish the long back edge by turning under 1⁄4” twice, stitch in place by hand or machine.
Run 24” of 1/8” double-faced satin ribbon through the back hem casing.
Draw ribbon up and tie in a bow.

Stitch 24” of 1⁄4” double-faced satin ribbon to the bonnet sides below the baby diamond motif.
Loop this from one side to the other leaving ribbon uncut.

Stitching more repeats and adding a third strand of floss can expand this bonnet design.

Notice of Copyright: ©2008, Maggie Bunch. Materials contained herein are copyrighted
and may not be reproduced by any means without express written consent of the
author.

Comments

[Anna Shastid]

Where can I find the Anchor Floss? I love your blog and have already since yesterday learned many things even though I have been smocking casually for 26 years. Thanks Maggie! Anna

[Brenda E]

Is your Ode to Joy pattern available for purchase? If so, please let me know to purchase it!

Many thanks and please keep your blog teaching going - you are a great resource!

[Debbie aka Just Peachy]

Thanks for the size info. Very helpful!
Debbie