The students in Knots for NICU hand-make numerous items from receiving blankets (which double as incubator crib sheets), to crocheting & knitting beanie hats & headbands, to designing and sewing burial gown sets from donated wedding dresses, as well as scent hearts from leftover blanket fabric. Below are instructions & tutorials we follow, & invite others to join in making these rewarding items!
Scent Hearts are pieces of fabric (usually cotton or flannel) that are cut in the shape of hearts and given to parents to "scent". Parents wear this piece of fabric on their chest so that it takes on their smell. Mothers can wear it against their chest in their bra and fathers can wear it pinned to the inside of their shirt. The marked scent heart is then left with the baby in their incubator or crib to help with development of the infant sensory system, promote bonding, increase breastmilk supply etc. The hearts are switched out by hospital staff every time a parent comes, so that the baby gets the parent's scent and the parent gets the baby's scent. (This is a wonderful project to make from leftover fabric from making receiving blankets.)
RESOURCES:
scent-hearts.pdf
File Size: 237 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
  • ​SIZE - Patterns for finished hearts are 5"x5", and 2 heart panels are needed to make 1 heart. A good measurement for minimum fabric needed for 1 heart is cloth 6"x12" to be able to cut out 2 heart panels to make 1 scent heart.
  • FABRIC – soft, thin fabrics like nursery flannel, brushed flannel, or cotton material (any color or pattern) yield the best results.
    • If you would like to donate supplies for sewing scent hearts, we have sewers that can do it! Any donations of nursery flannel fabric or cotton is all they need (1 yard makes approx. 18 scent hearts; any colors/patterns you think baby would like).

INSRUCTIONS FOR TOP-STITCH VERSION:
  1. Print out the pattern we like from Hearts and Hands for the 5"x5" heart. Make sure to print it at 100%.
  2. Trace the heart pattern and cut out 2 hearts. 
  3. You may wash and dry all fabric before cutting out the hearts. Special detergent is not necessary but do not use one with added scent. Do not use fabric softener. Cleaning is not required since many hospitals have their own intake cleaning procedures.
  4. For sewing hearts with a SEWING MACHINE, select a decorative or a zigzag stitch on the sewing machine and contrasting/coordinating thread. It is fun to pick a pop of color thread that stands out. Get creative!
  5. Start at the tip of the heart about ¼” from the edge.
  6. To begin, sew the three stitches forward, three backward to secure your sewing.
  7. Continue stitching all the way around
  8. Finish using the same three forward, three backward to end.
  9. Trim any thread hanging from the heart. 
  10. Use pinking shears and cut all around the edges of your heart so that there is a edged pattern being careful not to cut over stitching
  11. Finish another of the same pattern heart the same way and send two like hearts (twins) to packaging.

ALTERNATE INSRUCTIONS FOR INSIDE SEAM VERSION:
  1. Print out the pattern we like from Hearts and Hands for the 5"x5" heart. Make sure to print it at 100%.
  2. Trace the heart pattern and cut out 2 hearts.
  3. You may wash and dry all fabric before cutting out the hearts. Special detergent is not necessary but do
    not use one with added scent. Do not use fabric softener.
  4. For sewing hearts with a SEWING MACHINE, lay two pieces of coordinating fabric with right sides together.
  5. Pin the heart template securely to the fabric, cut out the heart.
  6. Sew a narrow (1/4") seam.
  7. When you reach the point of the heart or the dip in the top and turn.
  8. Continue sewing.
  9. Leave an opening large opening large enough to turn the heart right side out.
  10. Clip the point at the bottom of the heart and the curves around the top, so the points turn nicely. Make sure to not clip the stitching.
  11. Turn the heart right side.
  12. Iron the heart while pulling the seam out.
  13. Slip stitch or ladder stitch the opening of the heart closed​.

Packaging Poem

Our scent heart packaging includes a poem for the recipients for parents to know what this bonding scent heart does and how it can help baby while apart. The poem reads:

Place these hearts against your chest
Tucked in the clothes you wear
Then place them into baby's nest
When you can't be there.

Baby smells your special scent
When you are apart
So don't despair when you must leave
They'll always have your "heart."
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