I need to make a preemie blanket - baby 1 pound 6oz. What size do you think would be a good size? I have no idea. That seems so tiny!

If you've made them before, do you think a 12" x12" would be good or 16" x 16"?

Hi Barb, that is a tiny little one. How tall is the baby? I am sure he or she will grow fast. I would opt for atleast one 30" sq. By the time you wrap it around the baby and tuck it in here and there. Otherwise it will be outgrown within a month or so..they can keep it later on to use as a dolly blanket (if the baby is a girl).
Happy Stitchin' Linda B.

Right off the top of my head I don't know, but maybe you could go online someplace and see if any of the stores sell them and they should have the size. Now I am curious - I think I will look that up myself.

Seems like I read a message just recently from someone who makes quilts for their local NICU and the size was either 24x24 or 26x26. As the mother of a preemie I can tell you from experience that they do grow fast.

They may be using it to cover the isolet...I would go at least 20 X 20. I made the one for my gt nephew 22 X22 after the border.

Quilts for Kids lists 36 x 36 as the size for preemies quilts.

On the other hand, here is a pattern for a smaller one:

http://www.azblankets4kids.com/Patte...20reworked.pdf

Here is a bit of info on preemie quilts discussing various sizes. I believe this blog belongs to one of the QB members.

http://with-heart-and-hands.blogspot...ie-quilts.html

Call the hospital where the baby is and ask them what they prefer. Sometimes they cover the baby and sometimes they cover the isolette so that babies have a day and night.

okay, now that I think of it he was 12" long when he was born a few days ago, so I guess 12" x 12" would be too small.

I wanted to make 3 blankets in staggering sizes, so maybe 20" x 20", and on up to 36" x 36".

thanks. I've been looking on the web and have seen a variety of sizes.

That's a great idea.

Hi, I am making preemie blankets...my sister is a NICU nurse. The ones I'm making are 18x24 finished. She is a transport nurse and they don't need all the extra fabric to deal with. Being rectangle fits their little bodies better.

She also told me not to use "blue" because it distorts the baby's coloring. She showed me some prints at Hancocks that would work well. Mostly neutral background with spaced tiny designs. Also she recommended the cuddly cotton flannel because it helped keep the heat in their little bodies..I also agree with the no batting. They wrapped the babies in the cocoon style.

Thanks for the info - I was thinking of getting flannel for the smallest size - I'll make sure to look for the cuddly cotton flannel.

I have a lady that goes to my sewing group on tuesdays that makes blankets for NICU in a hospital down in San Diego and works on them all year long and then in the springtime, her and her husband load up their fifth wheel and hand deliver them. This past year they delivered I believe she said 130.

She cuts polar fleece into 30" X 30" pieces and hand sews coordinating cotton binding onto them. This last bunch she made, her sister used a machine and embroidered little animals on one corner such as bunnies, teddy bears, ducklings etc.

This bunch that she is making now is also done with polar fleece and she is crocheting binding on to them. And OH MY GOSH are these ones adorable.

But I would contact the hospital and see if they want them a certain size. The ones my friend does, are used to cover the incubators and isolettes and then eventually when the baby goes home, so does the blanket. :))

The ones I do are 24 x 24. This is the size that my NICU nurse requested.

thank you all.

(smile) I was looking all over for Debbie's last name (Walkins) The lady who makes preemie blankets. Most preemies do not come home till they weigh in at about 5 pounds at least. By they they are actually getting a little meat. My grandson was 1 lb. 4 oz. in NICU for 5 months. We were able to buy preemie clothes I think the last month and go into a sitting room. AND dress him in clothes we brought. It was fun. All day every Sat. and Sun. so wonderful to just hold and love on him... The blanket he received in NICU was a pretty good size blacket, to cover the isolet (sp) That was a hard time in our life and yet God gave us hope, just by giving us another day, then another he is not 17 years old. (((hugs))) re: journey for the parents and family of this 1 lb. 6 oz. baby.... It does not end at the hospital.... lots of momitors, and still a very delicate child usually. AND so so so loveable. :)

The quilts we do with one of my groups for the NICU are anywhere from 12" square to 24" square. Anything bigger might be too big for the little one. You can always make some in graduated sizes.

ali

Thank you for your words of encouragement - as far as we know, he will be in the hospital until July, which would have been his due date.