Friday, March 29, 2013

The Annie Blanket: An Angel Grief Blanket


In memory of our angel Annie.
"There is no footprint so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world."


The Annie Blanket
A grief blanket tutorial for those born much too soon.

Supplies:

Flannel fabric - 1/4 yard or fat quarter - Mellow prints are best
1/8" White satin ribbon - at least 36" (1 yard)
Pattern - print and cut out
Matching thread

I would suggest washing your fabric first. This will help it feel extra soft; we want the best for these sweet babies and their parents. Also iron the fabric after washing.

First things first, print off the pattern by clicking the link - The Annie Blanket Pattern.

Cut out your pattern.

Fold your fabric. Do this in a way so you can lay the top of the pattern on the fold and trace.


I placed my pattern with the small part along the fold and traced with a regular 'ol pen. I'm classy like that. :)


Go ahead and trace the pattern again and then cut out your pieces.


Take your one piece and make it right sides together, just folding it back at the top and pin down the long side.


Sew down the side using a 3/8"-1/2" seam allowance. Be sure to back stitch at the beginning and end. Do this with both pieces.


After sewing, trim down the excess and the corners. I only did the corners, and it was very noticeable. The less bulk there is the better. *So trim down the seam*.

Turn the pieces right side out and take it to the ironing board to press the seams.


Now let's cut our ribbon. We will need 4 pieces of 1/8" satin ribbon measuring 9" each. Be sure to heat seal the ends of the ribbon. I do this by taking a lighter quickly over the edge. The ribbon melts just enough to seal it.


Take your two sewn pieces and put them right sides together.


Pin the ribbon inside the blanket. Put two pieces of ribbon on each side. Measure down from the top of the side 3/4" and place one there. Measure another 1 1/2" and place the other ribbon. Leave about 1/2" of the ribbon sticking out.


Go ahead and pin the rest of the blanket pieces together. Remember to leave a place for turning the blanket right side out.


Sew all around the edge of the blanket, using about a 3/8" seam allowance, back stitching at the beginning and end. And remember to leave about a 2" opening for turning around. Be sure to clip corners and edges to reduce any bulk.


Now turn your blanket right side out. I use a turning tool, but anything you have to get those corners straight works great. After you turn it out, stick the hood part of one side into the other side.


Be sure to iron out any wrinkles and press the edges to be nice and straight.


Now we are going to top stitch around the edge, which will close up the opening. I stitched pretty close to the edge.


And you're all done! You've created a beautiful blanket that will cradle those special babies and bring so much comfort to their parents while grieving their loss.


Thank you for reading and sharing!

See where I linked up HERE.

37 comments:

  1. I will make one - or a few. We love you guys, and I'm so glad you've given me this way to help.

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    1. You are wonderful Charity! Thank you for helping. :)I'm planning on going on her due date, so any time before that is perfect.

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  2. This is such a wonderful idea. I'm so glad you've been able to find something to help others in their trials. And to be amazing enough to create your own tutorial and pattern- that is awesome. I have the most incredible big sister. I'm glad you took on this challenge. Can't wait to hear how everything goes.

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  3. I'm so sorry for your loss. This is a wonderful idea. I wish I'd thought of it when we lost our own little baby in April of 2007. I would love to make one or more blankets. I know how comforting it is to have something that was wrapped around my sweet baby. Thank you for thinking of this opportunity to honor your little one. I will think of mine, as well. May peace be with you.

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  4. Hi Jordan, I'm so sorry you have had your own loss. I would love it if you could make some blankets, and we could donate them in your sweet baby's name as well. If you want to donate locally, just let me know how many you do so I can keep track. If you want to send it to us, I'll send you my address. I'll be taking them in April 22nd. Thank you so much for reading and helping!

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    1. My email is goddessofsewing{at}gmail{dot}com.

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    1. Thank you Diana for reading and your comment. It means a lot to us. :)

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  6. I saw this link via Goddess of Sewing, and am crying for yours and all those mothers' losses. I'm JUST starting to learn how to sew, and I'm not sure if I can make this good enough for those sweet babes, but I will try and let you know. I'm also pinning the pattern so I can find it easily again.

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    1. Thank you Amanda!! They are pretty easy and if you have any questions, let me know. If you are able to make some for donation, email me at shirleyrhale@gmail.com. Thanks again!

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  7. Someone sent us your story. We want to get involved and spread the word about your sweet baby. We have a small ministry named Spread the Word thats goal is to put God's love into action. When people send us ideas, we hold a poll, and the people pick which idea they want to see us joyfully complete. When we spread the word, we also pass a flag, to inspire the recipient to continue the love and pass it on and on and on (: Sometimes- God nudges us and says- no vote necessary (: I am a nurse- worked in L and D for a while and now attend home births as a student midwife. We want to do this and will pray for others to join in and honor your precious angel babe. Thank you for sharing your heart and inspiring others to love. xoxo Any infer you think we need please send it our way. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spread-the-WoRD/340054222754286?fref=ts (that is the Facebook think if you'd like to check it out. or you can see at www.wordspreaders.org.

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    1. Thank you so much Andie! What a wonderful organization. I truly believe our lives are meant to be lived serving others and so much joy comes from it. Thank you for posting our link and sharing our story. It helps so much! And if you have any one that makes the blankets, email me at shirleyrhale@gmail.com and I'll send additional information. Thank you thank you!

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  8. I bought some flannel to make a few of these blankets for you but I'm not sure if the pattern is printing correctly for me. Could you let me know a few basic measurements (length & width) of what size the pattern should be so I know I've got it right? Also, if you have an email address we can contact you with so we can get the address on where to send them, that would be great! Thank you!

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    1. Thank you Amy! The pattern should print to be about 9" long and 5.5" wide at the bottom. I'll have to double check it tomorrow to make sure it is working right. :) If it is a little smaller or bigger, that is okay. Angel babies come in all different sizes. And yes, please email me at shirleyrhale@gmail.com and I'll send you all the additional information. Again, thank you so much! This makes my heart so happy to know Annie is being remembered in such a positive way and the love these families will feel during such hard times. Thank you!

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    2. Great! I'll start working on them today--thank you!

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  9. I have known 2 families that have gone through this very sad time. I would like to make a blanket to help. My email is: mmcghie79@gmail.com
    Thank you.

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  10. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I admire your strength and your passion to help others in your situation so soon after experiencing this. It's always nice to hear about people good experiences at hospitals though. I lost my dad almost a year and a half ago. He spent almost 4 weeks in ICU and the staff there were fantastic. I have started making thank you cards that I am going to put in the family waiting rooms outside the ICU for people who need them - to say thank you to the people in their lives that make it a little better, whether it's a neighbor watching their children while they're at the hospital, or their co-workers for sending over food, etc. I find that giving back helps the healing, and I hope that it gives others hope during a tough time.

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    1. Hi Jill, I LOVE the idea of thank you notes. Giving back is an integral part of healing, I think. I couldn't believe the outpouring of love I received when I lost Annie and I knew that I had to be better and be more giving and loving to those around me and whoever needs help. I am sorry to hear about the loss of your father. There is no loss that is easy. I think you are amazing to continue doing service with these cards, and I am sure people appreciate it so much. Thank you for visiting my post.

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  11. Shirley I'm so sorry for your loss and I admire your courage and ability to reach out to others to help with their losses. I just stumbled across a blog earlier this week that sews tiny diapers for angel babies. I thought you might be interested in teaming up with them. Here's the link: http://teenytears.blogspot.com/2011/10/diapers.html

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    1. Thank you so much Amy. While working with the bereavement team for the Utah Valley area, they mentioned these little diapers. They didn't have them when I lost Annie, so I love this idea. Thank you for sending me the link. I am going to make some of these to donate as well.

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  12. Thank you so much Wendy! Hugs are definitely appreciated! I learned going through this that the best things for people to do is say "I'm sorry and I love you." And then give them a great big hug if you can. Thank you for sharing as well! And good luck with learning how to sew. :)

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  13. This is a wonderful idea and so nice to be called The Annie Blanket. I will try to get these started and donate them. As you said, they are simple and don't take a lot of fabric.

    ~ Darlene @
    www.MyHoneyBunch.CO

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    1. Thank you so much Darlene! Email me at shirleyrhale@gmail.com to let me know when you've sent or donated them locally. And thank you for reading! We appreciate it so much.

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  14. I too lost a baby very early on in my pregnancy years ago. I am happy that your hospital had this blanket as well as the memory box, photos and molds to help you through this terrible time. I think what you are doing with these blankets is such a beautiful testament to Annie's memory and will be such a comfort to others who are walking in the same path. I am not someone who knows how to sew, but I will happily pass along this information to others who can, and when I learn to sew, I would love to try to make some of these to donate.

    I send you prayers and hugs and many wishes for healing and peace. May God bless you for using this loss to help others.

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    1. Thank you Maureen! And I am so sorry to hear about your loss as well. Thank you so much for your prayers and sharing this post. It means a lot!

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  15. What a perfect, lovely little blanket (and baby). :)
    We have a baby in heaven too. <3

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    1. Aw thank you Bargain Babe! I am so sorry you have dealt with loss too. I would never wish it on any one, but my angel makes me a better person and I hope I do my best for her.

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  16. Hi Shirley, we lost a baby 24 years ago. His name was Calvin. Time helps but there is always a little sadness when I think about a lost future. Our hospital was very caring and I quickly sought out other mothers that understand this heartache. I cannot sew but would like to donate to your cause, email me at mollycurnyn@gmail.com. Thank you for your courage in posting the beautiful picture of Annie. It is hard for many to console grieving parents of a little one, only mothers and fathers that have experienced this loss understand true heartache. Gods love to you and your family
    Molly

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  17. Hi Shirley...I am a mother to 3 and a grandmother to 4 beautiful little ones ranging in ages 12 to 8 months. (3 girls and 1 boy) I never had to go through losing a child or a grandchild, so I don't know the kind of pain that you went through when you lost your little Angel. What I do know is that I feel the need...no the STRONG need to make these burial wraps. If they can make just one mom feel a small amount of comfort, then it is totally worth it! I am going to check with my local hospital, but I don't believe that they have a "burial wrap program", so I would be interested in sending these to you. Or, I may look into the hospital where my two youngest granddaughters were born to see if they have a program that I can donate these to. It is just a wonderful project. Tomorrow my sister and 5 of her friends are coming to my lake house to spend the week sewing! (We are all quilters!) I plan to provide them with the fabric and pattern for the burial wrap and have them each make one! So, that would be six total! Thank you so much for providing this pattern!

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    1. Hi Nanabanana! I just saw your comment and I was wondering if you were able to make some Annie Blankets and if you found a place to donate them. Her angelversary is coming up on the 18th so I am going to be making more to donate. Thank you so much for your comment and your service. I know how much it will mean to those families.

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  18. Oops...I mean a total of 7!! I think I just had a senior moment since I obviously can't count! Haha!

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  21. I LOVE your sweet blanket. Thank you for posting this tutorial and pattern. I used it to make a wrap for my own angel.

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