Latest Bereavement Gown Samples

Here are some samples of the bereavement gowns; created from Regina L.'s lovingly donated,  beautiful Cinderella Ballgown. 

Due to the generous royal length train of the wedding gown, I was able to transform it into eleven complete bereavement gowns (male and female).
I created six size small (1-3 pounds), and five size medium (3-6 pounds).
There was enough fabric to also create four little white vests with matching bow ties, to use with ivory colored bereavement gowns for boys.
So, this beautiful wedding gown has actually become 15 bereavement gowns.

The ivory satin vests and bow ties used for these gowns, were created from fabric anonymously donated to CareWear Volunteers... thank you!
The delicate lace trim on the girls' sleeves and petite organza flower and ribbon, was also donated anonymously to CareWear Volunteers... thank you as well!

Inside each gown is sewn a tiny heart charm that says "Made with Love."  It is placed along a seam where it possibly may never be seen... just an added touch of love.
I also used small remnants of the fabric to create the matching 15 token heart necklaces, for each grieving mother.

Thank you SO much Regina for your loving generosity!  May these grieving mothers feel a glimmer of the love that went into your choosing, wearing, and donating your beloved gown.  May they feel the love of those anonymous individuals generously donating satin fabric and delicate lace and trims!  May they also feel my love; as I pondered on the best way to transform the wedding gown into tiny bereavement gowns, and lovingly sewed each tiny outfit.

Thank you to Regina L. of Maryland

Regina L. donated this gorgeous white satin and lace wedding gown.  It is a Cinderella style ballgown with a detachable royal length train, with a beautifully embroidered border.  The bodice of the gown is guipure lace with delicate cap sleeves.

This bride requested 2 handkerchiefs be made from her gown, for her sons to share with their future brides (many years from now).  The handkerchiefs can also be turned into baby bonnets with 2 folds, and 2 simple rows of stitching.  She also requested a sachet for her mother.

                                        Simple way to turn handkerchief into baby bonnet:               

                         Fold decorative edge over about 1/3 width of handkerchief and iron.
                                                   Fold opposite end under 3/4" and iron

     Hand or machine sew a straight stitch across the edge of the fold (you can hide it in the lace)
                    I used blue thread to show you where to sew, you will want white thread.

                               Insert about 18 inches of sating ribbon in the smaller section
                                     (you can wiggle it through attached to a safety pin)!
                 Sew two 12 inch pieces of ribbon on the wider fold (to tie under baby's chin)!

                                Pull the longer ribbon, and tie in a bow for the back of the bonnet.
                                         
                                                    Super Easy!  You can do it too!

I will post the photos of the finished tiny gowns upon completion.
Thank you again Regina, for making this project possible!

Beautiful White Satin Long Sleeve Gown with Removable Cathedral Train - Anonymous

This beautiful Jasmine white satin gown with long sleeves, had a removable cathedral length train.  The gown also had 32 satin covered buttons with loop closures along the back.  Someone certainly helped this bride get dressed!

It was wonderful to make tiny dresses using the exquisite chantilly lace along the bottom of the dress and train, as the bottom of the little bereavement dresses as well.  The elegant pearl beaded and sequined lace appliques on the train, were too large to incorporate into the small garments as they were; but each one made two or more amazing bodices for the little gowns!  The satin covered buttons were put to excellent use on vests for the little boy gowns.

This gown was transformed into ten complete tiny bereavement gowns (male and female); five size small (1-3 pounds), and five size medium (3-6 pounds).  There were enough buttons for five mini vests.  This gown has become part of  fifteen petite bereavement gowns.  Remnants of the fabric were used to create fifteen little matching heart token necklaces for the grieving mothers.

Thank you to the amazing bride who lovingly donated her gorgeous gown, and wished to remain anonymous!

Lovely Ivory Strapless A-line Gown with Cascading Ruffle and Silver Beaded Accent - T. K.

This lovely ivory satin A-line Galina Signature strapless gown, had a ruffle across the bodice front that cascaded down the back and chapel length train.  The ruffle had tiny ivory crystal bugle beads sewn along the edges.  There was also a silver beaded and sequined embelished accent on the upper left bodice.

It was truly a delight to find a way to use the fabric along the ruffle, containing the tiny ivory crystal bugle beads.  The fabric ruffle and beads were transformed into tiny vests and mini bow ties, for little boys' bereavement gowns.  The seam with the beads was placed along the edges of the vests and bow ties.  The lining of this dress will be used to line many lace bereavement gowns as well.

This beautiful and understated gown was transformed into four complete tiny bereavement gowns (male and female); 3 size small (1-3 pounds) and 1 size medium (3-6 pounds).  It was also used to create 8 petite vests with matching bow ties to go on additional gowns.  So, this dress has become part of 12 bereavement gowns (male and female), and the lining will be used for many more.  I used remnants of the satin to create 12 matching tiny heart token necklaces for the grieving mothers.

Thank you SO much to T. K. for your generous and loving donation!

Hidden Charm

Hidden within each bereavement gown is a tiny heart charm with the phrase "made with love."
These are placed where no one should see them... just wanted to add an extra touch of love!

Poem for Parents

Here is a little poem I include with the bereavement gown and tiny heart token, for the grieving parents.  I hope it brings a little comfort, or helps them realize their tears represent the great love they have for their child.

Keepsakes for Mothers

I wanted to provide a small keepsake for the grieving mothers.  I took a small piece of fabric leftover from the construction of their child's bereavement gown, and placed it into a little heart with a glass top.  I may change the little token later in the course of this project, but for now it seems to be a nice gift.