Rib Knit Fabric for collars for Bereavement Gowns
 

This isn't a quilting item, but all the gals on here seem to know where to get everything. I just recently agreed to make Bereavement Gowns for the hospital. The easiest and nicest looking neckline is to use Rib Knit for cuffs and collars. But I am having trouble finding it at the local fabric stores. I've found some online, but of course there's the shipping, unless I find lots of other things to buy.
Anyone know of a good source?

If you are near a JoAnns they carry it. If not, they sometimes have free shipping if you keep your eyes open.

I have a fairly big piece that is cream colored. I thought about using it as a back for a baby blanket but was concerned about it stretching. If you pm me your email address I can send you a pic, and if you like it it's yours for the postage!

Thanks. I'll check at Jo ann's the next time I'm near there. It's about a half an hour from here. But I get there from time to time. I found some online but it was going to cost more to ship it than the actual item. I buy a lot of quilting items online, but not the same kind of store.

Check the t-shirt knits. If they have lots of stretch, they can be used as well as regular ribbing.

I have used the t-shirt knit for ribbing. I have also found it at Walmart, if your Walmart carries fabrics.

Do these open all the way down the front or back? If so, you don't really need the rib knit, as it doesn't need to have that much stretch. Regular t-shirt knit will work, or even bias binding, but I have problems getting bias binding to look nice.

Yes, they do open all the way down the back. So, no, don't really need to be stretchy. I just haven't found anything to bind the neck edge with that looks good. The prepackaged bias binding is so rough looking. I cut some bias of the same fabric yesterday that I am going to try and leave tails to tie. But then wasn't sure what to do with the tail as it extends beyond the neck edge. And certainly don't want a knot at the end.

Unfortunately no instructions came with the paper pattern. So am basically winging it.

I just finished off the binding at the neck edge, just like you would if you were using rib knit. I didn't leave leave any tails to tie. I used small snaps to close the back.

Yes, small snaps would look better. Great idea. Thanks.

My DGD asked me to make her a sundress with stretchy top, like you would do with that ribbed knit. I thought about buying a tank top and just using that, but then I cam accross some tank tops I had purchased on clearance last fall thinking I might use them to make myself some fancier shirts by combining them. Anyway, back on subject, LOL. I cut it up and made the "bands" out of that, and it worked great. I actually made 5 small sundresses from one long sleeved shirt that cost me $3. Maybe something like that would work?

I thought about the necks of tshirts. But my husbands white ones are too grungy. But the knit tank top idea is a good one. Thanks.

When we made gowns like this, we used spaghetti ribbon to sew into the neck edge with a large needle to stitch up and down (about 1/4 inch stitches), just below the sewn hem. Leave the ends long enough to tie, then you can tie a bow, or it you leave them a little longer, they can be brought around to the front to tie. Do the same at the cuffs. This way each is adjustable to the size of the baby. We used bright colored solids, baby prints, florals, and plaids (for boys) and each was treasured by the receiver. When the bows are tied, they create a ruffle effect. You can also attach the ribbons to the back and stitch around to the front, putting a couple snaps in the back.
Since durability is not an issue, the ribbons are just threaded through the actual fabric. Clear as mud, right? PM me if you need pictures and I will whip one up to show you. Takes about 15 minutes each. Our pattern had raglan sleeves, so easy peasy.

i made many a tee-shirt for the kids growing up, using a heavier tubular knit for the binding, rather than the specific rib knit fabrics since i was on a very tight budget. I have massive amounts of off white left if you want it, PM your address and i'll mail it to you.

What are bereavement gowns?

They are made for parent of stillborn or deceased babies to wear.

Are they always white?

The hospital I am making them for requests white or pastels. No bright colors or prints.

I don't quite get the ribbon at the neck part. This pattern has raglan sleeves. I folded the hem under and tacked it with a little glue. Then sewed a decorative piece of lace over it. And also down the center front. The back opening I just turned under twice. The neck is what's giving me the most trouble since the pattern is shown using the rib knit.
This one I cut a piece of matching cloth on the bias about 1.5 inches wide and folded it in half and sewed it to the neck edge. I intended to fold it to the inside and hand stitch it down. But didn't make it wide enough so serged the edge.
I used the serger to sew the seams. But won't do that again. I couldn't pivot well at the underarm seam and unless the thread matches, which isn't very practical, a serger seam shows up an awful lot.
So first try not too bad. But will do things a bit differently on the next one.
I am interested in a bit more info about how you did the next edge.
Thanks.

What are you using for a pattern?

A paper pattern provided by the hospital. It's very basic. It actually looks a bit like a kimono, raglan short sleeves, simple front on a fold and two back pieces. Nothing very special.

Please understand, I am not an artist, but here is a drawing of what I am talking about. If this still isn't clear, I will make one and show you actual pictures of the steps. They do work up quite nice. You could just make them all white and add different ribbon colors for boy or girl. I watch Walmart for rolls of ribbon on sale cheap for such things. Usually I find rolls for around a dollar.

Looks a bit like a mini-peasant blouse.

i use t-shirt knit, it doesn't have to be rib knit. t shirts are even on sale at joanns this week 4/$10 buy xl

Exactly, but these fit to the wrist and neck, both. White flannel with pink or blue ribbons would be charming.

thanks. That's basically what the pattern I'm using looks like. It has short sleeves though. I understand the neck now. It's like making a casing and putting the skinny ribbon through it. I'll give that a try on the next one.
You've been very helpful. So many nice ladies on here. I can always count on someone having the answer. I'll try to post a picture of the one I finished.
While we're on the subject, have you ever made a cloth envelope? The hospital uses them for the paperwork, etc. for the parents.

They are also used for babies that are going to pass. They like to dress the baby in something that looks like 'real' baby clothes, so that the families of the babies can cuddle with their child wearing something that looks like regular clothes. (Gosh, that was hard to write.)

You could use one of the online tutorials for an iPad cover, and just use the dimensions that the hospital has requested, to make the fabric envelopes. Youtube has several videos for making the iPad covers if you want instructions you can watch as you make them. (BTW- you can put the ribbons in a casing, or as we did, we used the ribbon to stitch back and forth through the fabric about 1/3 inch below the stitching for the hems. I am willing to make one today for a friend's DD to use with her doll, so you can see it. Stay tuned and I will post pictures some time this evening. Peace

I have never heard of a bereavement gown. Where would it be worn and who would wear it?

What the heck is a bereavement gown?

Here are the examples I promised. Instead of making a whole gown, I would just show a large picture of the ribbon technique itself.
The front view shows how you would start from the back and go around the neck or wrist, or you could put a snap or Velcro on the back, and put the ribbon ends on the front to tie. (Cut ribbon ends at an angle to avoid fraying.)

The second picture is closer for those with sight issues, and the third shows how it looks on the back, and the fourth is how it will look gathered. This method is good for doll clothes or single use garments like the gowns, Halloween costumes,(think clown collar, cape collar,etc.) my example was made using 1/4 inch ribbon so you can see it, but will look and work better with 1/8 spaghetti ribbon.

the he last photo is using the crewel needle as a bodkin to insert the ribbon in the top as a casing.

Thanks again. That helps alot. How do you upload the pics? I've tried several time and QB keeps telling me my up load failed. I like the casing idea. It looks nice. But this pattern doesn't seem to have any extra fabric. It appears very fitted.