Busy Bee Wrap

On Sunday morning, 29th November 2015, dozens of keen volunteers flocked to the Tom Dadour Community Centre in Subiaco to join in Tiny Sparks WA's 'Christmas and Care Package Volunteering Busy Bee'.

Volunteers assisted with wrapping Christmas Ornament gifts, packaging milestone cards, packing Care Packages and attaching studs to donated NICU gowns among other tasks. Between volunteers who assisted throughout the morning plus sewers, knitters and quilters who stopped by throughout the day almost 40 people joined in the Busy Bee! 

Thank you so very much to everyone who contributed in any way to a very successful and productive morning. All Christmas presents are wrapped and ready to be distributed thanks to these busy bees! They say 'many hands make light work' and that was definitely true in this instance!

Volunteering Busy Bee

Tiny Sparks WA invites you to our 'Volunteering Busy Bee', where just a couple of hours of your time could make a lasting impact to a family embarking on a difficult and uncertain journey. Various activities associated with our Care Package and Christmas gifts programmes will be the focus of our morning; we look forward to seeing you!

Morning tea will be provided for our generous volunteers and the Busy Bee can also be utilised as a drop-off point for donated items (e.g. Christmas quilts or knitted/Sewn items). 

Christmas Gifts

This year Tiny Sparks WA is expanding its Christmas Gift program to include all participating regional centres. In addition to our Christmas quilts, we have over 200 custom made Christmas ornaments, lovingly donated by local business Foote and Flame to individually wrap, we'd love your help to do so!

Care Packages

Our Neonatal Unit and Bed Rest Care Package programmes provide a significant contribution to families with a baby in a Neonatal Unit or enduring a high risk pregnancy. Many hands will make light work of our ever expanding programmes, with activities including:

  • Packing of Bed Rest Care Packages;
  • Assembly of 'Neonatal Unit Milestone Card' sets;
  • Packing of 'Perth & District Multiple Birth Association' Multiple Arrivals supplement packs; and
  • Other miscellaneous tasks.

Knitting, Sewing, Quilting

Christine, our knitting & sewing coordinator, will be at the Busy Bee and welcomes all volunteer knitters, sewers and quilters who wish to deliver items in person to come down on the morning. Other related activities include:

  • Cutting donated fabrics to size for distribution;
  • Attaching snaps / fasteners to Neonatal gowns; and
  • Collecting of cut to size fabrics for sewing of additional Neonatal gowns.

If you would like to help with any of the above and can spare your time, we would love to see you! Come down and enjoy some morning tea whilst making a difference. 

Thank you so much and we are looking forward to seeing you there!

Quilters Needed - Christmas Quilts

We are looking to provide 200 Christmas quilts to neonatal nurseries right across Western Australia and need your help!

Jill of Patchwork Place in Albany has kindly designed a pattern for us to share with our sewers and hope that they might join them in creating some beautiful memories. You can download the instructions here, or find them below.

You can post or deliver items to Tiny Sparks WA, PO Box 1114, West Leederville WA 6901.

We would appreciate if they could be sent in by the 4th December to allow us time to put together and send off to the metro and regional hospitals.

Update: Thankyou to all of the generous quilters across Western Australia and even the rest of Australia who have contributed to this program and answered our request for assistance! We have been overwhelmed with the response and surpassed the 200 quilts requested. Make sure you subscribe to our blog and 'like' our Facebook page to keep up to date with all things Tiny Sparks WA and for news of next years project! Original blog and request below FYI)

 

Christmas Quilts for Tiny Sparks WA

 

Size 16" x 24"
 Or
41 cm x 61 cm

Requirements

Piece backing approx. 18" x 26"  (45cm x 65 cm) - white or cream
Piece 100% cotton light weight batting/wadding same size as backing piece.
Small amounts of Christmas coloured fabrics.

Suggestions

Any basic 4"  or  8" block pattern

No borders.
Keep blocks simple.
Avoid using yellow or gold.
Use conventional quilt binding or a commercial satin or pre-made binding or finish by “bagging” then turning through to right side. Top stitch around edge if using last method.
100% cotton fabrics (though not essential) are easier to work with.

A - Basic 4" Block - Total of 24 squares cut 4 ½" x 4 ½ "  in Christmas colours

  1. Arrange design into 6 rows of 4
  2. Join together into rows with ¼ " seam.
  3. Press seams in row 1 to the right, in row 2 to the left, row 3 to the right etc
  4. Join the rows together.
 
Basic 4" Block - 2 alternative designs

Basic 4" Block - 2 alternative designs

 

B - Basic 8" Block - Cut 6 squares 8 ½" x 8 ½ "in at least 2 Christmas colours.

  1. Sew into 3 rows of 2.
  2. Press seams in alternating directions then join rows together.
 
Basic 8" Block

Basic 8" Block

 

Finishing Quilts

  1. Lay the backing right sides down, place the wadding on top and finally the pieced top right sides up. Pin together and quilt.
  2. Prepare binding by joining the 2 bits end to end with a mitred (angled) seam.
  3. Press in half lengthways. Sew onto the right side of the quilt having ALL raw edges level. Mitre the corners as you sew.
  4. Trim off the excess from the edges.
  5. Handstitch the folded edge of binding over onto the back of the quilt.

Finished Quilt created by Jill of Patchwork Place, Albany

Knitting Pattern for NICU Beanies

Thankyou for considering knitting for our community.

The pictured beanies were knitted using 3.25mm needles and 4 ply 50% cotton 50% acrylic wool and therefore the pattern and overall sizing reflects this. Use of different sized needles will most likely result in a slight difference in overall size. Should you wish to use a slightly varied pattern, or crochet a beanie, the required overall size of these beanie when lying flat (completed and sewn) is approx 9.5cm wide at the base and 9.5cm tall (fits up to approx 1.2kg). You are welcome to experiment with any colours you like!

We also have a more limited need for larger pre-term (2kg-2.5kg) and small newborn (2.5-3.0kg) sized beanies. Knitted or crochet beanies of your own design would be gratefully accepted. (Note: the reason for the gap in sizing between the very small beanies detailed below and the larger sizes required, is that babies in between these two stages are often placed on CPAP, a form of breathing assistance, which covers the babies head and prevents them from wearing a beanie.)  

Completed beanies can be posted to: Tiny Sparks WA, PO Box 1114, West Leederville WA 6901. If you have any questions you many contact us at admin@tinysparkswa.org.au. Thank you very much to those volunteers who are able to assist!

Girls' Beanie

The girls' beanie pattern contains a chevron style pattern, as pictured to the right. 

Ribbing Step (6 rows)

  1. Cast 56 stitches.
  2. Alternating Knit 1, Purl 1 for 6 rows.

Chevron Pattern (16 rows)

  1. Purl 1 stitch, Knit 3 stitches and repeat for rows 1, 5, 9 and 13.
  2. Knit 1 stitch, Purl 5 stitches, Knit 1, Purl 1, and repeat for rows 2, 6, 10 and 14.
  3. Knit 2 stitches, Purl 1, Knit 3, Purl 1, Knit 1, and repeat for rows 3, 7, 11 and 15.
  4. Purl 2 stitches, Knit 1, Purl 1, Knit 1, Purl 3, and repeat for rows 4, 8, 12 and 16.

Shaping Crown (10 rows)

  1. Knit 6 stitches, then Knit 2 stitches together (i.e. drop one stitch), repeat.
  2. Purl stitch entire row.
  3. Knit 5 stitches, then Knit 2 stitches together, repeat.
  4. Purl stitch entire row.
  5. Knit 4 stitches, then Knit 2 stitches together, repeat.
  6. Purl stitch entire row.
  7. Knit 3 stitches, then Knit 2 stitches together, repeat.
  8. Purl stitch entire row.
  9. Knit 2 stitches, then Knit 2 stitches together, repeat.
  10. Purl stitch entire row.

Completing

  1. Cut yarn leaving sufficient length to sew beanie together with.
  2. Thread end of yarn through remaining stitches on needle.
  3. Draw tightly and fasten off securely.
  4. Sew up edges to form beanie.

Boys' Pattern

The boys' beanie pattern is plainer than the girls' beanie pattern, without the chevron pattern. It is pictured on the right with a coloured stripe however the patten below is for a single coloured beanie and does not detail switching yarn; however you are welcome to do this if you wish.

Ribbing Step (6 rows)

  1. Cast on 56 stitches.
  2. Alternating Knit 2 stitches, Purl 2 stitches for 6 rows.

Main Body (16 rows)

  1. Knit one row.
  2. Purl one row.
  3. Repeat, alternating.

Shaping Crown (10 rows)

  1. Knit 6 stitches, then Knit 2 stitches together (i.e. drop one stitch), repeat.
  2. Purl stitch entire row.
  3. Knit 5 stitches, then Knit 2 stitches together, repeat.
  4. Purl stitch entire row.
  5. Knit 4 stitches, then Knit 2 stitches together, repeat.
  6. Purl stitch entire row.
  7. Knit 3 stitches, then Knit 2 stitches together, repeat.
  8. Purl stitch entire row.
  9. Knit 2 stitches, then Knit 2 stitches together, repeat.
  10. Purl stitch entire row.

Completing

  1. Cut yarn leaving sufficient length to sew beanie together with.
  2. Thread end of yarn through remaining stitches on needle.
  3. Draw tightly and fasten off securely.
  4. Sew up edges to form beanie.

Sewing Volunteers needed for NICU outfits

Whilst clothing is available in the Neonatal Unit for parents to dress their babies in, the outfit included within the Tiny Sparks WA Neonatal Care Package is the parents to keep and does not go back in to the communal clothing pool. The feedback we have received about these outfits is exceptionally positive, including from one parent who framed both of the outfits she received for her twin boys once they had been discharged; they become a treasured keepsake and a reminder of just how small their babies once were.

These outfits have distinct girls and boys designs, are lined and include press-stud backs and shoulders for Neonatal Unit compatibility. The outfits are sized to fit up to approximately 1.2kg and 'up to 1.6kg'.

We are pleased to include below the directions for making both of these outfits. If you would like to have a go at creating some of these precious outfits to donate to Tiny Sparks WA for inclusion in our Neonatal Care Packages, we would be very grateful! You may use any reasonably light weight cotton fabric you wish, and you may send the finished item with or without press-studs, Tiny Sparks WA are happy to attach the press-studs with our specialty equipment. 

Knitted beanies are also welcome, but donations of outfits without beanies is perfectly acceptable, these items do not necessarily need to come as pairs. [Update 2 April 2015: The knitting pattern for these beanies is available here]

Finished outfits (and/or beanies) can be sent to: Tiny Sparks WA, PO Box 1114, West Leederville WA 6901, Australia.

A list of answers to FAQs can be found at our knitting and sewing page.

Girls' NICU Outfit

The pattern for the Girls' NICU outfit can be downloaded from the knitting and sewing page here The pattern is available in 1.2kg and 1.6kg sizes.

Material should be light weight cotton and pre-washed. Depending on the materials pattern and your placement, you will need approx 22cm x 45cm of each lining and outer fabric for the 1.2kg outfits (i.e. a 'fat quarter' of each lining and outer fabrics should make two outfits) and a slightly larger piece for the 1.6kg size.

The pattern is designed to be printed at 100% scale on an A4 piece of paper. There is a small square which should measure 1cm x 1cm when printed to ensure the patten is the correct size (9.5mm - 10.5mm is acceptable).

Step 1

Cut 1 x outer material and 1 x lining material out of FOLDED fabric, with folded edge placed where pattern indicates. The unfolded product is shown in Step 2.

3 - Cut on Fold.jpg

Step 2

Sew the lining and the outer fabrics together with the correct (end product presentation) sides together (i.e. the reverse sides of the fabric should be facing outwards); the pattern is inclusive of a 6mm seam allowance. Ensure an opening is left for turning the garment inside out.

4 - Sew right sides together.jpg

Step 3

Turn the sewn together dress inside out to reveal the correct outer side of the final product.

5 - Turn in right side.jpg

Step 4

Hand sew the gap that was left for turning the dress inside out - you're done!!

Tiny Sparks WA will attach the press-studs and package the dress ready for distribution to a NICU family. If you have the appropriate equipment to attach studs and sockets (they are not sewn but attached by a pressing machine), please click here for more details on stud type and placement.

2 - NICU Dress.jpg

Boys' NICU Outfit

The pattern for the boys' NICU outfit can be found here The pattern is available in 1.2kg and 1.6kg sizes.

Material should be light weight cotton and pre-washed. Depending on the materials pattern and your placement, you will need approx 22cm x 45cm of each lining and outer fabric for the 1.2kg outfits (i.e. a 'fat quarter' of each lining and outer fabrics should make two outfits) and a slightly larger piece for the 1.6kg size.

The pattern is designed to be printed at 100% scale on an A4 piece of paper. There is a small square which should measure 1cm x 1cm when printed to ensure the patten is the correct size (9.5mm - 10.5mm is acceptable).

Step 1

Cut 7 pieces in total as indicated on the pattern. 1 x front in outer material, 1 x front in lining material, 2 x back pieces in outer materials, 2 x back pieces in lining material, 1 x pocket in contrast material (lining or other).

The front patterns are cut along a fold then unfolded to create 1 larger piece (i.e. there is no seam on the front of the outfit). The back patterns are placed away from the folded edge to create the 2 individual back pieces.

3 - Cut.jpg

Step 2

Sew the pocket (cut from lining or other material contrasting to the outer fabric) on to the front outer piece.

4 - Sew pocket.jpg

Step 3

Sew the two back pieces of outer fabric to either side of the front piece of outer fabric. Then repeat this step for the lining fabrics. The 6mm seam allowance is inclusive in the pattern.

5 - Sew side seams.jpg

Step 4

Sew the lining and the outer fabrics together with the correct (end product presentation) sides together (i.e. the reverse sides of the fabric should be facing outwards); the pattern is inclusive of a 6mm seam allowance. Ensure an opening is left for turning the garment inside out.

6 - Sew together.jpg

Step 5

Turn the sewn together outfit inside out to reveal the correct outer side of the final product.

7 - Turn press.jpg

Step 6

Hand sew the gap that was left for turning the outfit inside out - you're done!!

Tiny Sparks WA will attach the press-studs and package the dress ready for distribution to a NICU family. If you have the appropriate equipment to attach studs and sockets (they are not sewn but attached by a pressing machine), please click here for more details on stud type and placement.

2 - NCIU Shirt.jpg

Volunteers

We greatly appreciate any assistance and welcome all donations from keen volunteer sewers! Finished outfits can be sent to: Tiny Sparks WA, PO Box 1114, West Leederville WA 6901.

If you would like to be kept up to date with volunteering opportunities with Tiny Sparks WA, including sewing opportunities, please contact admin@tinysparkswa.org.au or complete the volunteering form here.