Deborah Chan
Wedding dresses can be transformed into angel gowns, which are burial gowns for infants. Organisations such as NICU Helping Hands, The Angel Gowns Project, and Little Angel Gowns Charity accept wedding dress donations to create angel gowns for grieving families. The process involves deconstructing the wedding dresses, ironing or steaming them, and then laying out patterns for the angel gowns. The gowns are embellished differently for boys and girls, with vests, suspenders, and bowties added for boys, and matching bonnets for girls. These angel gowns provide comfort and support to families dealing with immense grief and loss.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Organizations | NICU Helping Hands, Angel Gowns by Rest in His Arms, The Angel Gowns Project, Little Angel Gowns Charity |
| Who do they help? | Bereaved families, hospitals, funeral homes, bereavement ministers |
| Locations | The Angel Gowns Project: Guatemala; Angel Gowns by Rest in His Arms: Chicago, Midwestern US, Haiti, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Peru, Guatemala, Columbia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada |
| Types of donations accepted | Wedding gowns, bridesmaid gowns (in pale pink, pale blue, and lavender), colorful prom and bridesmaid dresses for international projects |
| Donation requirements | Clean, good condition, minimal staining, no strong odors |
| Cost to donate | The Angel Gowns Project: $100 minimum donation |
| Time to process donations | Several months |
| Volunteer opportunities | Deconstructing, ironing/steaming, laying out patterns, sewing |
| Other initiatives | Little Angel Gowns Charity offers burial gowns and angel pods for infants under one pound to over 13 pounds |
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What You'll Learn
- Deconstructing the dress: Ironing, steaming, and laying out patterns
- Cutting and sewing: Tracing and cutting patterns, then sewing
- Embellishments: Adding details like vests, suspenders, and bowties
- Quality control: Checking the finished product for quality
- Donation process: How to donate a wedding dress to be made into angel gowns
Deconstructing the dress: Ironing, steaming, and laying out patterns
Deconstructing the dress is a time-consuming but important part of the process of turning wedding dresses into angel gowns. It requires careful attention to detail and a methodical approach. Here is a step-by-step guide to deconstructing the dress:
Ironing and Steaming
Firstly, it is important to ensure that the wedding dress is free of any creases or wrinkles. This is achieved through careful ironing or steaming. This step is crucial, as it creates a smooth base for the next stages of the process and ensures that the fabric is easy to work with. It also helps to sanitise the dress, removing any bacteria or impurities that may have accumulated over time.
Laying Out the Patterns
Once the dress is smooth and ready, the next step is to lay out the patterns for the angel gowns. This involves carefully tracing the patterns onto the wedding dress fabric. It requires a steady hand and precision to ensure that the patterns are accurately placed and aligned with the grain of the fabric. This step determines the placement of the cuts and the overall shape of the angel gowns.
Volunteers carefully consider the most efficient use of the fabric during this stage. They take into account any embellishments, lace, or unique features of the wedding dress that can be incorporated into the angel gowns. This may involve adjusting the patterns to highlight certain details or create a harmonious design.
After the patterns are traced, they are carefully cut out, marking the beginning of the transformation from wedding dress to angel gowns. This step requires a steady hand and precision to ensure that the cuts are accurate and follow the traced lines.
The process of deconstructing the dress is a labour of love, requiring patience and dedication. It is a crucial step in honouring the original wedding dress and creating beautiful and practical angel gowns. Each gown is unique and crafted with care, embodying the love and compassion that the volunteers pour into their work.
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Cutting and sewing: Tracing and cutting patterns, then sewing
Once you've selected a wedding dress to donate, it's time to start the process of cutting and sewing. This involves tracing and cutting patterns before sewing the gown together. Here are the steps you can follow:
Tracing and Cutting Patterns:
- Start by deconstructing the wedding dress. This may involve carefully taking it apart, especially if it has intricate details or beading.
- Iron or steam the individual pieces of the dress to remove any wrinkles or creases.
- Lay out the pattern pieces for the angel gowns on the deconstructed wedding dress. You can find angel gown patterns online or create your own.
- Trace the patterns onto the wedding dress fabric. Be precise and ensure that all the pieces will fit onto the available fabric.
- Cut out the traced patterns. Take your time and use sharp scissors to ensure clean cuts.
Sewing:
- Begin sewing the pieces together following the angel gown pattern and your sewing skills.
- If you're creating a modified tuxedo design for boys, you can add vests, suspenders, and bowties.
- For girls' gowns, you can add embellishments like lace, ribbons, or other decorative elements.
- Sew with care, especially if the fabric is delicate or has intricate details.
- If you're working with multiple wedding gowns, combine and blend the fabrics harmoniously to create a unique angel gown.
- Once the sewing is complete, carefully inspect the gown for any loose threads or imperfections.
- Finish the gown by hanging it up for at least three days to air out.
Remember, creating angel gowns is a labour of love, and your contribution will bring comfort to grieving families. Take your time with the cutting and sewing process, and don't hesitate to seek guidance from experienced seamstresses or volunteers involved in similar projects.
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Embellishments: Adding details like vests, suspenders, and bowties
Embellishments are a great way to add a unique touch to angel gowns, especially when it comes to creating distinct styles for boys and girls. Here are some ideas for adding details like vests, suspenders, and bowties:
Vests
Vests can be crafted from the fabric of the wedding dress itself or from complementary fabrics. Consider using a soft and silky fabric to ensure comfort for the baby's skin. You can search for a vest pattern online or in craft stores, and adjust it to fit the size of an angel gown. If you're feeling creative, you can even design your own vest pattern!
Suspenders
Suspenders can be made from thin strips of fabric, either from the wedding dress or other complementary materials. You can attach them to the angel gown by sewing them onto the front and back of the gown, creating an X-shape or a Y-shape design. Play around with different fabrics and widths to find the perfect look.
Bowties
Bowties are a charming addition to angel gowns, especially for boys. You can create them by cutting small pieces of fabric from the wedding dress or using leftover fabric scraps. There are various ways to tie a bowtie, so you can experiment with different styles to find the most aesthetically pleasing option.
When embellishing angel gowns, it's important to consider the overall aesthetic and ensure that the additions of vests, suspenders, and bowties complement each other. You can also mix and match these embellishments to create different looks for each gown. Remember, these details not only add a stylish touch but also provide a meaningful distinction between gowns for boys and girls.
Additionally, if you're looking to add more variety to your angel gowns, consider donating colourful prom and bridesmaid dresses. These dresses can be used solely for embellishments, allowing you to create angel gowns with vibrant and unique details. By embracing these embellishments, you can make each angel gown even more special and heartfelt.
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Quality control: Checking the finished product for quality
Quality control is a crucial step in ensuring that the finished angel gowns meet the required standards of cleanliness, beauty, and quality. Here are some detailed instructions for checking the finished product:
- Inspection: Begin by carefully inspecting the angel gown for any visible flaws or imperfections. Check for any loose threads, uneven seams, or stains on the fabric. Pay close attention to the areas where patterns have been cut out and sewn together, as these sections need to be securely joined. Ensure that any embellishments, such as vests, suspenders, or bowties, or matching bonnets, are securely attached and aligned symmetrically.
- Functionality: Check all fasteners, such as buttons, zippers, or ties, to ensure they are functional and secure. Confirm that the gown can be easily put on and removed, with no obstructions or tight areas that might hinder the process.
- Sizing: Verify that the angel gown adheres to the specified size requirements. This includes checking the length, width, and overall proportions of the garment. Ensure that it falls within the size range suitable for infants, taking into account the weight ranges mentioned in the patterns or guidelines.
- Cleanliness: Ensure that the angel gown is clean and free from any odours. This step is particularly important, as the gowns are intended for infants. Check for any stains or discolouration, and make sure that the fabric looks and smells fresh.
- Comfort: Assess the comfort of the angel gown by feeling the fabric and checking for any rough or irritating seams or edges. The fabric should be soft and gentle against the skin, with no sharp or protruding elements that could cause discomfort.
- Final Review: Finally, conduct a comprehensive review of the angel gown, ensuring that it meets the organisation's standards and guidelines. Check that the gown aligns with the intended purpose, whether it is for medical or burial use, and confirm that it adheres to any cultural or religious considerations that may be relevant.
By following these steps, you can ensure that the angel gowns made from donated wedding dresses are of the highest quality and provide a beautiful and dignified final resting garment for infants.
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Donation process: How to donate a wedding dress to be made into angel gowns
The donation process for wedding dresses to be made into angel gowns varies slightly between organisations. Generally, donors are asked to review the relevant frequently asked questions (FAQ) before completing a wedding gown donation form. Donors are also advised to let the dress hang up for at least three days to air out before donation.
NICU Helping Hands
NICU Helping Hands is a 501(c)3 non-profit organisation that accepts wedding gown donations for its Angel Gown Program. They provide clean, beautiful, and high-quality Angel Gown® garments to hospitals and bereaved families. They accept wedding gowns and bridesmaid gowns in pale pink, pale blue, and lavender colours. They do not accept any other colours or formal wear.
To donate, you must complete their online donation process for inventory control and reasons related to their 501(c)3 status. They do not accept gowns collected through other means. They also do not provide photographs of the completed Angel Gown® garments made from your dress. If you would like to keep a piece of your wedding gown as a keepsake, you should remove that portion before sending your gown to NICU Helping Hands.
Rest in His Arms
Rest in His Arms is another organisation that creates angel gowns from donated wedding dresses. They are based near Chicago and serve the Midwestern US but have also sent gowns to various countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia. They host monthly Sewing Saturday workshops in the Chicagoland area, where volunteers can help with deconstructing wedding dresses, ironing/steaming them, and laying out patterns for angel gowns.
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Frequently asked questions
The Angel Gowns project helps women and families dealing with immense grief and internal poverty, find hope, healing, purpose, confidence, and empowerment by receiving and creating angel gowns.
The process of constructing Angel Gown® garments is complex. Wedding gowns are deconstructed, ironed/steamed, and laid out for patterns to be traced and cut out. Often, several wedding gowns are used together to create a one-of-a-kind garment.
You can donate your wedding dress to organizations such as NICU Helping Hands, The Angel Gowns Project, or Little Angel Gowns Charity. Some programs may require a monetary donation along with your dress.
Wedding dresses should be clean and in good condition, with minimal staining and no strong odors such as smoke. Some organizations may have specific color or style preferences, so it is best to check with them before donating.
It can take several months for a wedding gown to be processed and transformed into an Angel Gown. This includes the time for deconstruction, sewing, quality control, and shipping to families and hospitals.
