Thank you for sewing with us

We are always looking for:

  • Burp cloths, bibs, play mats and wipes

  • Quilts and Blankets - Cotton and natural fibres for babies, bassinets, cots, etc

  • Drainage bags

  • Sustainable and reusable period products (pads)

Right now we’re especially looking for:

Blankets and Quilts are always especially requested in winter.

Babies born over Christmas will still need a wool layer as they adjust to life in the outside world. So we always need baby gear. Other items like blankets, beanies and jerseys for children and adults will be stockpiled at Seaview for next winter, but if you are happy to make them, we are happy to store them until the weather turns again.

This pattern list has been compiled by our wonderful community of crafters as inspiration for your crafting sessions.

Please remember to attach a swing tag to your items before dropping them off to one of our drop-off points.

Note: It’s recommended to also make a drawstring bag to keep the pads inside

Sew Project Menstral pads

Inner Wheel Sanitary pads

Seamwork fabric scraps menstral pads

5 cloth pad patterns on Put a Cup In It

Cancer Society Drain Bags

This pattern has been created in collaboration with the Wellington branch of teh cancer society, and is trialled and tested by paitents.

It’s used to cover and protect drain bags left after surgeries such as masectomy.

Create to donate

This site contains a number of free patterns for charitable use. From burp cloths, to mastectomy drainage bag holders, chemo port pillow, several mastectomy comfort pillows including this one, chemo caps, g tube cover for preemies, fleece hats, and so much more!

Baby burp cloth by Treasurie

This free pattern has three different shapes of burp cloth to cover all needs and preferences.

Treasurie has a number of other patterns available as well.

Nest Collective

The Makers Nest has a number of patterns, from cot sheets to toys, baby change mats, play mats and parent items like breast pads.

Coronary Care Unit Bags

Pattern made in conjunction with Hutt Hospital for a drive in June 2024, these bags are used to carry heart monitors around while walking.

The bags are invariably not returned and we need an ongoing supply.

  • Materials:

    100% wool or wool blended with natural fibres

    Sizes:    

    ·         Pram/ bassinet blanket - 70 x 90 cm or 90 x 100 cm approximately  (28”x36” or 36”x40”)

    ·         Cot blanket - 100 x 115 cm or 115 x 125 cm  (40”x46” or 46”x 50”)

    ·         A multipurpose pram/bassinet/cot blanket of about 80 x 100 cm also works well. (32” x40”)

  • 100% wool or 100% cotton blankets in excellent quality, which have been well-washed can be cut into rectangular baby blanket sizes then trimmed with a bright cotton border/binding.

    Sizes: Can be flexible and depends on the condition of the blankets.

    ·         Pram/ bassinet blanket - 70 x 90 cm up to 90 x 100 cm approximately (28”x36” or 36”x40”)

    ·         Cot blanket - 100 x 115 cm up to 115 x 125 cm approximately (40”x46” or 46”x 50”)

  • For the Nest Collective and Pregnancy Help we can only accept quilts made entirely with 100% cotton materials and batting. Quilts for little ones are generally smaller than blankets because they don’t get tucked in.

    ·         Bassinet quilt: 70 to 80 cm x 90 to 100 cm (28”to 36” x 36”x40”)

    ·         Cot quilt: 90 to 100 cm  x 110 to 120 cm (36”to 40” x 46”to 48”)

  • Quilts for Foster Hope, Cancer Society and Women’s Refuge can be made using polyester batting, but please use 100% cotton fabrics

    ·         Bassinet quilt: 70 to 80 cm x 90 to 100 cm (28”to 36” x 36”x40”)

    ·         Cot quilt: 90 to 100 cm  x 110 to 120 cm (36”to 40” x 46”to 48”)

Hospital Quilts

EACH ITEM HAS BEEN INDIVIDUALLY MEASURED TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNIT. PLEASE DO NOT ALTER!

Our linen and blankets are can be changed up to twice a day. For laundering purposes it is important that stitching is secure, edges are either overlocked or small zig zag stitch and no loose ends.

NOTE: It is very important the measurements for the tops are not smaller or larger than the sizes specified.  We practice and encourage safe sleeping so quilt tops must have adequate tuck in help minimize coming loose.

  • Hutt Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit looks after premature or ill newborn babies. They welcome donations of handmade quilts for the SCBU’s 12 cots.

    Handmade quilts are used inside the cots and also draped over the incubator, to keep out light and noise. Parents are encouraged to take the quilts home with them at the end of their stay - and that means the SCBU can go through quite a lot of quilts! 

    The quilts are a special keepsake for parents and they help the hospital to support families whose babies need special care. 

    Materials: - Natural fabrics are best, such as cotton - no polar fleece please
    Please don’t attach any buttons or bits that could easily come off. Be creative with your pattern choice. It would be great to see some unisex colours and designs.  Please also wash and dry the quilts before dropping them off.

    Size: - Size:-60x65cm (inside cots – 23” x 25”) or 100x135cm (over incubators – 40” x 53”)

  • Wellington Hospital Foundation accepts quilts for the neonatal unit and single bed-sized quilts for use in different areas around the hospital. The palliative care team use single-bed sized quilts to brighten the beds of terminally ill patients.

    INCUBATOR TOP COVERS - 2 sizes

    Materials: 100% cotton for top side, darker fabric for bottom side. Please use natural fibre batting

    Sizes:    53” wide x 39” long (Giraffe)

                    51” wide x 33” long (Standard)

  • NOTE: It is very important the measurements for the tops are not smaller or larger than the sizes specified.  We practice and encourage safe sleeping so quilt tops must have adequate tuck in help minimize coming loose.

    Materials: 100% cotton top or flannelette

                    Calico or flannelette for backing

                    Lightweight batting only

    Measurements: finished size 27” long x 27” wide

    Instructions for makers: if using a solid piece of fabric please add an extra  ¼ or ½ inch for seam
                    allowance. With right sides together, sew around 3 edges, overlock or zigzag, turn right side
                    out, finish off open edge. To secure layers – sew several rows through all layers, or quilt
                    If using a quilt block pattern please ensure the finished size is either as above or no more
                    than 2 inches larger.

  • NOTE: It is very important the measurements for the tops are not smaller or larger than the sizes specified.  We practice and encourage safe sleeping so quilt tops must have adequate tuck in help minimize coming loose.

    Materials: 100% cotton top or flannelette

                    Calico or flannelette for backing

                    Lightweight batting only –

    Measurements: Finished size 48” long x 28” wide

    Instructions for makers: if using a solid piece of fabric please add an extra  ¼ or ½ inch for seam
                    allowance. With right sides together, sew around 3 edges, overlock or zigzag, turn right side
                    out, finish off open edge. To secure layers – sew several rows through all layers, or quilt
                    If using a quilt block pattern please ensure the finished size is either as above or no more
                    than 2 inches larger.

  • Any of the above items, but in Christmas fabric with no glitter or additional fluff. 100% cotton only