Dressmaker Lisha Thomas from Cardiff, Wales, came up with the idea after a family member lost a baby last year and struggled to find clothing to fit for the burial.
Online, dolls’ clothes were too big for baby Bella-Rose, who weighed just 3lb 4oz when she died at just five weeks old.
Lisha decided to set up Little Gowns and took to Facebook requesting anyone with a dress to send one her way, announcing that all the resulting garments would be donated to local hospitals and funeral homes.
The designer said: “It is all voluntary and I have been in touch with hospitals and funeral homes to see if they would like gowns to be delivered to them.
“For very small babies I make a shape similar to a square pocket so the baby can be wrapped inside and his or her face will still be showing.
“For baby girls, I make a small gown and for baby boys, I make a set of waistcoat and shorts because I think it’s nice for a little boy rather than a gown.
“One of the volunteers came up with the idea of knitting a little cocoon and hat in a heart-shaped knit which is another option, especially for very small babies of up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
“I have my own patterns which all the volunteers use so they are all specially made.
“The pattern for babies who reach 25-30 weeks of pregnancy is named after Bella-Rose.”
Lisha set up a GoFundMe page to get donations to help towards postage costs and other items like wool, thread and ribbon.
She explained: “If the person donating the dress doesn’t live nearby I need to get the dress sent to me.”
“I will also need to send the outfits to hospitals and funeral homes, which all costs money.
“I would also like to be able to prepare a starter pack for the people who help out with the sewing and knitting so money would be used towards that as well.”
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