For parents who have lost infants due to complications from prematurity or stillbirth, an angel gown can be a source of comfort. These handmade garments, made from deconstructed wedding dresses, are presented to babies during a family’s final farewell before burial or cremation. For many families, the gown is a treasured keepsake that holds special meaning forever.
The gowns are a labor of love for seamstresses who volunteer their time to sew them, and each piece has its own unique touch. Edith, for example, stitches phrases like “heaven’s angel” into the fabric, and her sister Shirley adds antique buttons that were part of their mother’s collection. A lot of the seamstresses work outside of the home, and despite busy schedules they make time to sew the outfits. Some even go so far as to add gold or silver bells onto their creations, inspired by the scene in It’s a Wonderful Life when Clarence the angel receives his wings.
Judi Grubbs, the founder of NICU Helping Hands, has been working on the project since her daughters were born prematurely, and the response to her Facebook post asking for more bridal dresses has been incredible. Hundreds of donated dresses are being turned into angel gowns that will be given to hospitals, birthing centers, funeral homes, and directly to grieving families, all free of charge.
She says the gowns are a way to raise awareness of the silent epidemic of infertility, miscarriage, early neonatal loss, and stillbirth, but she also hopes it will give grieving parents a sense of comfort. She remembers how devastated her family was when she lost two daughters and is determined to ensure that other families don’t suffer in silence.
At Riley Children’s Health NICU, the gowns have been especially meaningful for families, including Brandy Spurgeon. Her daughter was sent to the NICU after being born at 37 weeks, and she says that the gown she received helped her during a very trying and emotional time. “She looked so beautiful in it,” she says.
In addition to the gowns, NICU Helping Hands also makes baby blankets and bonnets. Currently, the organization has around 20 seamstresses who meet every other week at the home of one of their members to make the outfits. They are also working on expanding their reach nationwide to more hospitals and communities.
For more information about the program, or to donate a wedding dress, please visit the website for NICU Helping Hands. Those interested in joining a sewing session should contact Moniz, who will provide orientation and review several patterns to work with. She will also provide fabric and materials for the project.