A great-grandmother is putting her sewing talents to work to help grieving families.

Betty Kostiuk makes Angel Dresses and Angel Blankets from donated wedding dresses and gowns. "I turn around and take [the donated dresses] and make little blankets and Angel Dresses . . . they are for babies that have passed away," Kostiuk explains.

"I cry every time I pass them out," she adds, noting that while she appreciates being able to help she realizes how sad and difficult the situation is. "I have a hard time showing anybody, or talking about it, without crying. It's just so sad."

Kostiuk first started making the dresses and blankets when a friend was contacted by a doctor's wife seeking to help a family that had just experienced a loss. "That's how I got started; with that one dress. And then it just tripled, and on, and on, and on."

While it is difficult and sad for Kostiuk, she also recognizes that it's helpful at the same time. "I love doing it for the women. It's for the moms . . . being able to have a dress provided means one less thing that they have to worry about during such a sad and difficult time already."

Betty's daughter recently brought some of the dresses and blankets to the Women's Hosptial at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.

May 7 - 13, 2017 is Canadian Infertility Awareness Week.

Read more:

Local artist shares personal story during Infertility Awareness Week