A wedding dress is something that is typically worn once and then held onto as a memento for many years. The dress may eventually be passed on to others, perhaps the next generation, but there is one thing that some women are doing to their wedding dress that is inspiring.
The alternative option that some former brides are considering is having the gown cut up into smaller pieces to produce what are known as “Angel gowns.” They are tiny outfits, similar to a baptismal gown, and are designed to bring dignity and comfort to those who have lost babies far too soon.
You can read more about these Angel gowns and the stories behind them below.
Justi Bates is a young woman who recently posted a special message on Facebook. It was posted in a popular group, Quilting.
She posted a picture of a tiny white frock with lace up the front. It was laid out on top of the box that appears to contain similar environments.
She went on to explain that it is one of the 17 Angel gowns
“Today, I received my wedding gown back. I sent it off earlier this year to be made into angel gowns for babies that don’t make it home from the hospital, and I’ll be donating them to the NICU at Vanderbilt. 17 little gowns were made from my dress, and as beautiful as they are, I pray they are never needed.”
These are special gowns are designed for a very tragic reason, for burying newborn babies.
They are specifically made for stillborn babies or for those who pass on shortly after they are born.
Since a baby that young may not have any special clothes yet, these gowns help the bereaved parents and provide dignity for them and the little one.
There are a few services worldwide that produce such Angel gowns.
Rather than purchasing an outfit just to see the young child buried in it, many NICUs have been offering Angel gowns to parents who have gone through such a loss.
They offer the dignity and formality suitable for the occasion and help to bring the parents comfort
Although they can be made out of any type of material, they are typically made out of recycled bridal dresses.
In this way, the gown is associated with happy memories and gives many parents a sense that it is imparting happiness into their life.
Another reason why they may be made from recycled wedding gowns is because of the materials that typically include lace, silk and pearls.
Fine materials, such as what was used in the bonnet showed above, help to demonstrate how loved the baby was even if they were only here for a short time.
Bridal gowns also tend to be made of a significant amount of material that will accommodate trains, full skirts and other bridal fashion choices.
Each bridal gown may be transformed into a large number of Angel gowns, including the 17 that were made from this woman’s dress.
The 5 showed in the pictures above are from the same dress but they have been made into different sizes and styles, suitable for both girls and boys.
Brides often feel that the choice to turn the wedding gown into angel gowns is an easy one. Unless they plan on handing it down to their own daughter, it is unlikely that they will wear it again.
Via: Little Things
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