Gracie's Gowns
Follow Gracie's Gowns on Facebook
  • Home
    • Our Story
    • Programs
    • Our Sponsors
    • Contact
    • In the News
  • Request a Gown
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
  • How to Help
    • Donate
    • Sewing Opportunities
    • Shop
    • Events >
      • Crawlin' for Gracie's Gowns
  • Our Angels
  • Giving Back
    • Gown Donations
    • Hem/Onc Donations
    • Fabric Donations
    • Pampering Kits
  • Our Blog

TPN/Tube Feed Backpacks the Process

8/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
So in June and early July we collected orders for TPN/Tube Feed Backpacks, which isn't something entirely brand new for Gracie's Gowns, but this particular style of backpack is. Not only that, but how they are modified is different as well in comparison to the previous years.

While I had a few moments and am still working on getting all ninety-five, yes you read that correctly, ninety-five backpacks completed from the order. I wanted to show some better pictures of what they look like before and then the modifications we're making to them. Now, I do want to throw out there, any new orders will have a price increase compared to before, since this was our first time using these, first time ever ordering wholesale and so many other new adventures, Gracie's Gowns has absorbed all of the additional costs that were not charged to those who ordered, meaning, for lack of a better phrase, we lost money rather than breaking even, which was the plan. We never intended to make a profit, to break even was the goal, so with the price increase, this should happen on all additional orders placed (more information at the end on ordering).

In the set of photos below, are the more detailed pictures of what the backpacks look like when they come in from the manufacturer. We decided to use the Sugarbooger Kiddie Play Packs from Ore Originals for our backpacks this year because of their size, the prints available, and the ability to embroider them a whole lot easier than before. The specifications on the backpacks are as follows:
  • They are 8" x 4" x 11" in size
  • Waterproof cotton canvas exterior and durable nylon canvas interior
  • Nylon Straps
  • Lead-Free and BPA-Free
  • Non-toxic
  • Machine Wash, Air Dry.

If you clicked on the link in the text above, I promise, we didn't pay $26 a piece for them, we were able to order them at wholesale for around half that cost, but there were restrictions to it. First our order had to be at least $150.00 in total, but what really made the concern was having to order in sets of three for each print. This left us picking up several extras in the various prints in order to make that minimum requirement...the extras are listed below with the ordering information too. This will be a standard as well for all additional orders we place, at it is their wholesale requirement. 

Now here is how they are modified by us (well me) in between working on gown requests and getting our butterfly beads and bead pouches out in the mail...and everything else going on in life behind the scenes of Gracie's Gowns.
Picture
First off, I install a 1" grommet through the back side of the backpack, I have been placing them on the right hand side of the backpack (as if you had it laying on a table, back side up, looking down at it). We cut the hole for the grommet to go through and then snap the two pieces together. Really...this is the hardest part and requires a bit more strength than I imagined it would. They are plastic grommets, in case anyone needs to know the material they are made from.

Picture
Next step is the chest strap, all of the modified backpacks automatically come with a chest strap. If you requested one without modifications, I did not include the chest strap, should you need one though, please let me know and we can get them to you. This step is really the easiest, originally the plan was to make them, but with the time constraints in place, myself being the person modifying all of them, and needing to get these backpacks into their new homes, I was able to find some already made. This is where some of the additional cost came in to play. These chest straps came from Timbuk2 and are adjustable. I had contacted their customer service department about donating some or allowing us to order via wholesale, but was not able to get a response in time based on when the backpacks were to ship. So we ordered them outright, the cost was $5.00/each not including the shipping costs, which on 105 of them (I ordered for the extras as well), was almost $60.00, but they are durable and can even be washed as well. The other area we had a larger than expected cost has been in the shipping expenses, especially those who have multiple backpacks coming to their homes.

Picture
After those two things are in place - then onto the personalizing. I think I've finally found the best system to keep them in place since they are a little too thick to hoop with my embroidery machines' hoops. We have spray adhesive, heavier stitch n' tear stabilizer and then removing the name card from the inside front flap is what happens before it is ready to go. The front flap is then placed on top of the stabilizer and I program the name into the embroidery machine. 

Picture
Which looks something like this, and yes, that is only half the stack of the gowns that need names embroidered on them in the background, no worries, that is on my plans for after occupational therapy for my son today. This isn't the last step, but, they are on their way to being entirely modified and ready to ship once the names are embroidered. While the machine does all the work, this has really been the most difficult part of the backpacks because the color options I was given do not seem to always show up the best against the designs. I am working on getting the best colors chosen, but it really has been trial and error for some, as I cannot tell until after they're embroidered. 

Picture
The very last step is adding the loop on the inside of the backpacks, this is so those who want to hang their TPN/Tube Feed inside may do so. It is comprised of white webbing, with heat sealed edges to help protect against fraying and then a kamsnap that is placed on the folded edge, but also through the back of the backpack on the inside of the back panel. Once this is done, the back packs are ready to be shipped out. Now onto the part everyone is waiting for, how to order and what extras we have on hand already.

Picture
The above are the designs the backpacks are currently available in, orders placed in September will have the option of a couple additional styles, but as for right now and the ones we have extras of, these are the prints available. Out of the prints above, we have the following amount of extras.
  • Princess - 1
  • Birds and Butterflies - 1
  • Happy Camper - 1
  • Matryoshka Doll - 1
  • Retro Robot - 1
  • Hedgehog - 2
  • Cupcake - 2
  • Skulls - 2 
  • Ocean - 1
  • Lady Bug - 1
  • It's a Jungle - 1
  • Polar Pals - 1

For those that are interested in ordering one of the above, this link (and you can click on the picture above too for the link) will open the order form, from there you will be sent a PayPal invoice. Once the invoice is paid, your order will be added into the mix of ones to be worked on. Anyone who missed out on this order, can place an order as well, once we reach the minimum required wholesale amounts (in gross total and in design sets) we can place another order. I will look at doing so late October more than likely, make sure to follow our Facebook page for the information on it. The new cost will be in effect for anyone ordering one of our extras in additional to all new orders as well, which is the pricing seen on the order form now. 

While I was completely thrilled to offer them at the lower price in the beginning and helping ease the financial burden of making each child's medical journey nicer, we had to increase them so our sponsorship and shipping funds are not compromised. I pray everyone can understand the increase and I believe it is still considerably lower than other folks who make, modify or sell them, I know it is not as low as many would like. 

As my usual, I will continue to update when more have been completed and mailed out. Patience, grace and understanding are always appreciated, as I am but one woman trying to save the world one stitch at a time. 

Much love and many blessings,
Jessica 
0 Comments

Season of Giving with Gracie's Gowns

12/20/2013

0 Comments

 
I don't always get to blog every single thing that I want to for Gracie's Gowns because of our internet situation and the website editor not allowing me the ability to access it, but today I have the moment to share with you something super special we've done over the last couple of days.

Most of you know that I have always been the person to help anyone in need, even in our current situation where we don't have much ourselves, I always try to find a way to help when and where we can. This is just a part of who I am as a person, ever since I was a little girl...it has only been impacted more by making each of the gowns we have to date and just helping make a smile happen.

I feel it is also important to do so because I have children and I want them to see the good in the world, to have a giving and compassionate spirit - to help make the difference just one person's life...so that being said, through Gracie's Gowns we have done a little giving of our own to other groups and organizations. As a few know, my children and I will be moving this coming summer, so it was a concern about where to store and how to keep all the fabrics we've been given that haven't been requested for gowns, or that the length isn't big enough for the age group it is targeted towards - well we found just the place for it.

Picture
45 yards of cotton and flannel fabrics are headed as we speak to Silicon Valley, California to the chapter of Days for Girls International located there.

I have personally been following the main office of Days for Girls International for at least a year, if not more and found their organization through kamsnaps.com when we were added to their charity page. I can clearly remember being in middle school when "mother nature" decided to first make her appearance and being totally mortified because it was summer time, and I of course was wearing khaki shorts - thankfully I had a super long t-shirt on and could cover everything, the rest of the day, but it was just devastating for me because I had nothing - and yet we live in country where it is easily accessible and okay to be in school (we may not want to be) or work when that time of the month comes. Imagine being in a third-world country that you have to stay in a room for a week each month because you have no way to take care of yourself - or taking measures that could cause severe health problems just so you can work. 

So we were more than thrilled to help!! On their website is even patterns with instructions on how to make the personal hygiene kits and where you can mail them too once completed! You can have a whole sewing day even!  There are chapters all over the world you can join your local one and help out too if you sew, donate fabric and so much more. 


Picture
Another organization we donated fabric to was to Cindy's Tubie Pads and More! Cindy contacted me about what we do with our scrap fabric from gowns and if we would be interested in donating some of it to her.

Cindy is the Great-Aunt of Karing for Kyler who inspired her project. So we loaded up a box of our flannel remnant pieces and sent those off to Maryland (only a state away from us) - the box was 11 lbs in weight!! There are a LOT of g-tube pads that can be made from that!

So we have a little more space now to keep the fabrics that we have and of course more scraps for other purposes later on. We do use a lot of our scraps for preemie and newborn gowns, but also for when we do the craft show in October to help raise money for Gracie's Gowns (fabric and shipping expenses mostly), but we always have pieces that we can't use or we just have a lot left over from.


Picture
Last but not least in any means - we mailed off the box we were collecting stickers in for Maggie's Sticker Box.

So many stickers were mailed, picked up, dropped off to us - 10,540 to be exact! Once again we are so thrilled to be able to participate in so many efforts to just make a child smile, especially in a situation they cannot control. It is the little things that have the biggest impact and this is definitely one of them.

Miss. Maggie is so precious to our family, being the first ever recipient of a personalized gown and her courageous battle with cancer twice! She is a diva and a superhero! In November Maggie donated 30,000 stickers to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio to the pediatric hematology and oncology pharmacy where they are used to decorate the chemotherapy bags! These stickers will be going to the same place - this is where Maggie has received all her treatments and procedures. Keep up the awesome work Princess Maggie! We look forward to sending another box soon!


There you have it folks - just a few more ways we give ourselves! We definitely always appreciate the love and support we receive here at Gracie's Gowns, but it fills our hearts so much to give back in return. I know the work we do gives back in so many ways and touches so many lives and hearts in a way I never dreamed would be possible, but I still love giving beyond that and spreading the love and support where we can. Each organization is connected and intertwined, just like each of our families are in so many ways.

Remember, especially during this time of year, to reach out to others around you and let them know you are there with them, helping them get through the next minute, hour, day, week or even month...that they are not alone in their journeys and that they are special to you! Sometimes all it takes is a little post on Facebook, a private message, an e-mail, or even just a little card in the mail saying that you're thinking about them.

We look forward to what is in store for Gracie's Gowns in 2014 and all that we are able to accomplish in the many years to come. Have a great Christmas and New Year in case I can't get on the blog before then!


Gracie's Gowns
0 Comments

    Archives

    May 2019
    March 2019
    August 2018
    July 2018
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

    Categories

    All
    Angel Love Boxes
    Autism
    Awareness
    Bake Sale
    Bead
    Beads Of Courage
    Bee Brave
    Big Latch On
    Blanket
    Brain
    Brayden
    Breastfeeding
    Build A Bear
    Build-a-Bear
    Busy Buddy
    Butterfly
    Caringbridge
    Cathedral
    Chartres
    Chd
    Christmas Box Project
    Cope
    Cure
    Daysforgirlsinternational
    Donations
    Dreams
    Drug Dependent
    Drug-Dependent
    Event
    Fabric
    Facebook
    Faith
    Family
    Fear
    Feeding Tube
    Fingers
    France
    Fundraiser
    Goals
    God
    Gracie's Gowns
    Gracie's Gowns
    Handful Of Hope
    Harley
    Healing Helpers
    Healing Helpers
    Heart
    Hope
    Inspire
    Invisible
    Juvenile Dermatomyositis
    Kamsnaps
    Karingforkyler
    Lia Sophia
    Lilahroo's
    Loss
    Love Monster
    Madelyn's Hats
    Maggie's Sticker Box
    Mothers
    Mps
    Mucopolysaccharidosis
    Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
    Neuroblastoma
    Neuropathy
    NICU Smock
    Nursing
    Nursing Cover
    Nursing Pad
    Pampered Chef
    Payitforward
    Pediatric Cancer
    Pink Cocoon
    Prayer
    Pregnancy
    Promise
    Quilt
    Raffle
    Record
    Remembrance
    Scentsy
    Selvage
    Sensory
    Siblings
    Socks4Surgery
    Special Needs
    Special Needs
    Sponsor
    St. Jude
    Sugarbooger
    Surgery
    The Gocf
    Timbuk2
    Toes
    TPN/Tube Feed
    Travel
    Treatment
    Tubies
    Weighted Blanket
    World
    Worry
    Yard Sale
    Yowell Meadow Park

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly