| DPAQ Quilts of Love Program |
|
The DPAQ Quilts of Love program provides small quilts to Darwin and Top End
families whose babies die before or shortly after birth. The loss of a child can have destructive effects on families. Mementos play an important role in the recovery process. The members of DPAQ hope that these little quilts will give a message to the family that their baby is valued and that their pain and grief are considered by others. The making of these quilts has helped some women talk about their personal grief experiences, and helped them cope with their own losses. |
|
|
|
| About the Quilts |
| Most quilts are nappy sized, but some are made larger for full term babies
and others have hoods for babies with cranio-facial problems. Thin or
split batting or flannelette is used as batting so that the quilts are soft. DPAQ endeavours to supply a broad range of coloured and patterned quilts, from pastels to brights , to suit babies of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. |
|
The quilts are labelled at the back with:
| ||
|
"Quilts of Love" Darwin Patchworkers and Quilters |
||
| The maker remains anonymous so that there is no obligation put upon the
recipient to respond to the gift. The inspiration for the project came from the giving of quilts as part of the bereavement care program at King George V Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales. There, the quilts are used to wrap the baby when the family is saying goodbye to their child. The quilt then becomes a special keepsake associated with the baby - more personal than hospital linen - or it may be laid to rest with the baby. |