Dear Diary

What have I been doing lately when I’m not feeling sorry for myself? Well, I’m making Angel Gowns for a very sweet nurse friend. I had no idea there were so many stillborn children in the United States today. I need to research that. Is it nutrition? Lack of healthcare? Just poor choices? I have no idea but I pray and stitch, knowing that some woman is going to see her baby in one of these gowns for the last time. The only time.

You can’t tell by looking at the pictures how small these are. It’s amazing. The patterns – see some of them here – come in four sizes; infant, preemie, tiny and micro. Micro is just inches long. Like, 6 or 7 inches. They all open in the back. Each can take anywhere from 2 hours to 2 weeks to make. And that doesn’t include the time required to wash, dry, take apart the wedding gown, iron, cut out the pattern. But what an amazing feeling when you consider how they’re used. And women are so happy to donate their wedding gowns for this cause. I am not worthy of the degree of trust people place in me at times.

I’m getting braver. A faraway friend sent a gown that had so many ruffles! I was intimidated by the idea of keeping them all straight and flat as I sewed the seams. I’ve had the gown for weeks but I just got the pattern cut out. I’m going to do this. I’m not going to be intimidated by ruffles!

There are many groups around the world that make these tiny creations. If you’re in North Texas, I’m happy to share what I know about our area. I won’t mislead you. It can be painful at times. I try to stay focused on the positive. And as I said earlier, I pray as I stitch.