Fabric Memory Envelope
The Columbia Chapter uses the memory envelopes in the Miscarriage Sets and Bereavement Sets. When a
baby dies, the envelope can hold all the precious keepsake items that the mother and baby
received while in the hospital. Inside the envelope is a Recognition of Life Certificate where a
picture of the baby can be included if desired. There is also a special prayer for the family on the
certificate. The keepsake envelope gives the Mother something she can always touch as a part of her baby.
Materials Needed
White quilted fabric and pink or blue satin for the interior
Thread
18 inches of piping (we make ours from the same fabric as the interior)
straight pins
Stabilizer for embroidery
Velcro Dots
Make a pattern using freezer paper. Draw a rectangle 13 inches x 26 inches. Measure down 6 inches from
the top (long edge). Round off both corners, creating a complete curve at the top end. This creates your flap.
Embroider or embellish the right side of the fabric on the top flap (rounded edge).
1. Clip threads, front and back of embroidery design. Remove backing stabilizer from embroidery.
2. Using contrasting bobbin (pink or blue) and ¼” seam allowance stitch piping to quilted panel on 3 sides. Short side opposite flap is left open for turning and does not have piping.
3. Right sides together, stitch lining and quilted fabric together along 3 sides. Use the previous seam line as your guide. We used contrast bobbin in order to see this previous seam.
4. Trim front flap seam as necessary to make a smooth curve. Turn right side out.
5. Fold under ½” of the lining and quilted fabric at open end. Top stitch to close.
6. Fold on bottom fold line. TOL label may be inserted in side seam line or stitched on front. It is also easier to sew Velcro pieces on at this time. Just fold together to get correct placement. Stitch side seams by topstitching, being careful to line up piping.
7. Stitch on Velcro if not done previously.
8. Tack bow on front below embroidery – helps to hide Velcro seam.
