Knitting & Sewing

One of the small highlights for a Neonatal Unit parent is choosing their baby's outfit for the day from the Neonatal Unit pool of clothing. This is only possible thanks to the kind donations of hand made items including hats and gowns from fabulous volunteers. Not only are the babies in Neonatal Unit often too small for regular baby clothes they have medical requirements which means that their clothing needs to be very particular. Only garments made from approved patterns can be used in Neonatal Units.  

Thanks to our Neonatal Unit Care Package program, parents also have the opportunity to receive an outfit which does not need to go back in to the communal pool of clothing and is theirs to keep. Additional details of the Neonatal Unit Care Package program can be found here.

Sewing and Knitting Patterns for Neonatal Unit Care Packages

Sewing instructions for our girls' and boys' outfits can be found here. Instructions on how to add press studs can be found here. Please refer to FAQs below for additional details about sending outfits without studs.

• 1.6kg girls neonate dress (pattern here)

• 1.6kg boys neonate 't-shirt' (pattern here) - pocket optional

• 1.2kg girls neonate dress (pattern here)

• 1.2kg boys neonate 't-shirt' (pattern here) - pocket optional

• Snuggly Baby Wraps (Instructions here)

• Knitted beanies (pattern within blog, here)

• Developmental Hearts (pattern here)

• 1000 Hearts Project (pattern here)

Please use the images below as a guideline for 'cut fabric sizing' to ensure your pattern is printed to the correct size.  Thank you.

Pattern Size Check (includes seam allowance) please print from PDF files linked above

Finished Garment Size Check

Stock Levels - What do we currently need? *Updated 10 September 2024*

We are currently accepting Christmas Stockings, wraps and 1,000 pockets Hearts.

Please read the FAQs below and check your pattern scale before sewing/knitting up a storm.  Thankyou!

Completed items can be posted to: 
Tiny Sparks WA
PO Box 1114
West Leederville WA 6901
Australia

Register as a Crafty Creator with Tiny Sparks WA

Please complete the form to the right to register your interest as a Crafty Creator with Tiny Sparks WA.

Registering with us will ensure you are informed of new patterns when released, current stock levels and any change in our needs.  Another great way to stay up to date is to join our Tiny Sparks WA Crafty Collective Facebook Group here -> facebook.com/groups/TSWACraftyCollective

This is a place to connect with each other, share tips, tricks, techniques, fabric sales and more!

FAQs: Answers to Knitting and Sewing Frequently Asked Questions

1. I have my own pattern for a gown for premature babies, can I use this instead?

We are not able to utilise gowns from other patterns within our Neonatal Care Packages.

2. How do I know if I have printed the patterns at the correct size? It looks very small!

These outfits are very small! Patterns should be printed at a scale of 100% on A4 paper (do not select 'fit to page').. To check the printed pattern's size there is a reference square on each pattern which should measure 10 x 10mm (1x1cm) when printed correctly. If your square measures less than 9.5mm or more than 10.5mm this may significantly affect the size of the completed product. 

3. What material is suitable for sewing the outfits?

Soft and lightweight cotton fabrics in fun patterns or colours are the preferred choice for outer fabric and soft, lightweight plain cotton fabrics for linings. 

We cannot use poly-cottons (due to increased static and clinging) or satins, thick flannelette, jersey or fleece.

4. I don't have the equipment required to add the snaps, can I send my completed outfit without these?

Yes, absolutely! You are more than welcome to send sewn outfits completed up to the stage where press studs / snaps would be added and our sewing coordinator will arrange for this step to be completed.

5. Do I have to send an outfit with a matching beanie? Or can I provided the individual items?

We will gratefully accept any combination of only outfits, only beanies or outfits and beanies. We understand that not all sewers are knitters and vice versa! 

6. Can I add other embellishments, embroidery or decorations to the outfits?

Minimal embellishments may be added to the front of the outfits that do not interfere with functionality nor contact babies skin directly.

7. What yarn is suitable for knitting the beanies?

Acrylic-wool blend or 100% acrylic yarns are suitable; we are not able to utilise 100% wool fabric due to hospital requirements. The pictured beanies were knitted with 4ply wool. Variances in wool and needles may result in slightly different overall sizing, however please use the measurements within the linked instructions for overall sizing guides.

8. I can't knit but I love to crochet! Can I still help?

Crochet beanies don't tend to stretch as well as knitted beanies however if you have a stretchy pattern we are happy to accept these.  We are not currently accepting crochet blankets or octopus. We do not have a crochet pattern that we can recommend.

9. Do the babies in the Neonatal Unit need winter clothes? Can I help with some of these?

The Neonatal Units are kept very warm! The babies in humidicribs may have additional warming within the crib and therefore lightweight clothes (such as our provided patterns) are all that these babies need and therefore winter clothing is not required in these sizes.

10. I've sent some items but have not received any feedback and don't know if you need any more?

We are very sorry if you have not received any communication from Tiny Sparks WA regarding your generous donations, they are all very much appreciated and your efforts have not gone unnoticed! Please remember to include an email address or mobile phone number within your package in order to receive communication.  Once a month or as volunteer time allows, all donations are sorted and logged, then donors are notified of their parcels safe arrival.  Please be patient if you have been waiting a couple of weeks.

11.  How can I stay up to date with what's going on?

Please check regularly within our newsletter and on this knitting and sewing page for updates on our requirements.

12. Can I drop my item in off rather than posting them?

To keep our overheads as low as possible and ensure the donations we collect are put straight back into our programs we do not have an office space.  If you have a large number of items you wish to drop off please e-mail admin@tinysparkswa.org.au to obtain the details of a drop off location.

13.  I have other items that I think you might like, can I send them too?

We are currently only able to accept gowns made from our patterns, beanies, wraps and knitted newborn cardigans.  If you post in other items we will pass them on to other organisations that we work with as we are unable to use them ourselves.  We are unable to accept knitted or crochet rugs of any sort.  If you have other items that you think may be suitable please contact us directly to discuss, admin@tinysparkswa.org.au thank you.