Quilts of Love
Events & Activities
Quilts of Love have been made in South Australia by Quilt Guild members since 1996. The Little Quilts of Love were inspired by a similar project in New South Wales and was started here in South Australia by the late Jean Pearce OAM. They were supplied to maternity hospitals to enable babies who were stillborn or died soon after birth to be wrapped with love. Fortunately over the years pre-natal and peri-natal care have improved and we now have far less need for the Little Quilts of Love. As we have a considerable collection stored we are no longer asking for these to be made by the Guild members until further notice.
We are also no longer able to accept any knitted goods as Deb Hayes from the Lyell McEwin Hospital has about three years worth already stored at her home!
In more recent years the Guild has been asked by the Lyell McEwin Hospital to make Isolette Covers and Crib Quilts to brighten their Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) and Special Care Nurseries (SCN). This has since been taken up by other hospitals throughout the state.
Isolette covers are still needed and they are given to the parents when their baby goes home as the hospitals are no longer able to wash these (due to the high temperatures in the commercial laundries....the quilts would not last very long!). The most needed size is the 30in x 48in used by the Lyell McEwin Hospital. Please see below for instructions to make both sizes of Isolette Covers.
One side should be dark to reflect night time and one side light to imitate day light. The covers also create a less clinical feel to the units. They should also have wadding which helps block out the bright lights of the unit especially at sleep time. Please do not use bulky polyester wadding. The covers should be bright and cheerful on the light side and even though the other side is ‘dark’ it can still be fun as this is the side that will be facing ‘up’ during the day and we want the unit to still be cheerful! See photos for ideas for the ‘dark’ side!
Guidelines: Cotton fabric only. Covers may be pieced, panels or both. One side light and one side dark (see notes above) and should be quilted. Cotton wadding is best so they can be washed if needed. Please ensure designs and any wording on fabric are appropriate for the covers.
Sizing is important as the staff need to be able to access the portholes and also be able to see the baby at all times. Lyell McEwin Hospital uses the 30in x 48in which are the most used size. Some of the smaller hospitals like the 32in x 32in covers.
PLEASE NOTE: All quilts must have loose threads removed and be clean and stain free. They must not have any pet fur on them. Please ensure that all pins are removed.
LABELS: Labels are available for sale at the guild meetings or can be posted. Packs of 5 are $2.00 and postage will be an extra $1.00. This helps the guild cover the cost of purchasing labels and it would be appreciated it if members could sew labels onto the quilts before handing them in....saves the co-ordinators a lot of time!
Sue’s Sewing World 165, St. Bernards Road, Rostrevor
Widebacks Daveys Rd, Flagstaff Hill
Tricia’s Discount Fabrics 11-13 Price Street Melrose Park
Quilters Guild of SA Inc any monthly meeting
Please do not take any quilts directly to the hospitals as they have limited storage and only request quilts from coordinators as their supplies run low.
Thank you for your kind support, your contributions are so very much appreciated. Any questions or queries please don't hesitate to contact the co-ordinators:
Jill Clausen Ph: 0403 016639
Monique Reed Ph: 0421 506776
