Wee Care Workshop - Heirloom Smockers of Huntsville

Come and create a variety of simple gowns and donate them to local hospitals to clothe babies who die at birth or shortly after. Many groups also donate bonnets, caps and beanies which can be smocked, heirloom sewn, hand/machine embroidered, knitted and crocheted or a variety of other needle arts acceptable for babies.

For a parent holding a dying baby, sorrow is often overwhelming. Life isn't supposed to end before it's really had a chance to start. In those moments, even the strongest have their faith tested. What comfort there is often comes in simple acts - an arm wrapped around grieving shoulders, shared tears, the gentle touch of a hand. At many hospitals across the country, comfort also comes in the form of small gowns lovingly created individually by members of local smocking chapters. A social worker at one hospital stated, "We use them almost exclusively for babies that have died or are going to die.  Sometimes, the parents keep the gowns as a keepsake; sometimes, the babies are buried in them. I try to let the parents pick out which gown they want on their baby. Sometimes, it's the only parenting they get to do."

This is an assembly line process so no need to know how to smock.  Everyone welcome! Contact Audra Kennedy at Audra Kennedy at audrakennedy@comcast.net.