SoHE, Meriter distribute patterns for infant-bereavement gowns

A line of patterns for infant-bereavement gowns has gone national through a partnership between the School of Human Ecology and Meriter Hospital’s Pregnancy and Infant Loss Program.

Thanks to Textile and Apparel Design Student Association (TASA) members who spent hundreds of volunteer hours on the project, the hospital now offers patterns for gowns in four styles to fit micro-preemie, preemie and term infants. All are designed for ease in dressing and minimize rough seams that can damage tender skin.

Meriter made the “Threads of Remembrance” package available on Oct. 25.

The project began three years ago as the inspiration of Meriter Women’s Health Administration secretary Sally Evans, who knew that the garments available at the time were not working well.

Evans, who sews but is not a designer, contacted human ecology senior lecturer Marian Lichtenwalner, who agreed to design well-fitting clothing that would help bereaved parents honor their children. Lichtenwalner, Evans and Human Ecology senior lecturer Anna Stevens set up the UW–Madison partnership with Meriter. Stevens created the designs and worked with Evans to get feedback from nurses and parents to fine-tune them.

Stevens taught a service-learning class this spring, working with students to produce a prototype packet of patterns in multiple designs and sizes, along with an educational video and other resources. The prototype evolved into a final package with assistance from a School of Human Ecology Beckner Endowment grant.

The Threads of Remembrance package sells for $58 and is available to nonprofit hospital affiliates. It can be ordered at from the Meriter Web site.