I agree that you should try to get her set up at her house, as she needs to be able to work on her projects at her home. Not sure what her mobility limitations might be, but if she is readily mobile and looking meet people through quilting, you could help her find a bee or a guild...that way she has the option to quilt at home or with a group. She will likely pick up quilting tips from others as well. I would not want to risk the possibility that she might fall while navigating your stairs, nor the liability issues that might come from it. Better for you to teach her at her house also because you can politely end the lesson when you feel and can leave more in a timely manner from her house than she could from yours.

Go to her house even if you have to haul several things. Pick a simple 9 patch that doesn't much equipment.

I'm thinking that teaching her something she can sew by hand in her comfy chair would be a good match. Needle turn applique or english paper piecing come to mind.

Teaching friend
 

One more suggestion - meet her at your local quilting store. Don't they have a table for people to work? That way she (or you) could also buy supplies if needed.

That is so heartwarming to know that she wants to become engaged in quilting and for you to be willing to teach her. As others have mentioned I would first teach her to hand quilt and if that progresses well then discuss how you can set her up with a machine. I also recommend it be at her home for a the reasons mentioned above. Especially for liability since she is familiar with her space. God bless !

I am glad this subject came up. We have a sister-in-law with this problem. We have a beautiful dinning set, that we use in our kitchen, because it is the only room big enough. It is over 100 years old, and we had it refinished (not a cheap deal) and it was the only thing I got from my parents estate, and we love it. When the sister-in-law comes over I am so afraid she will hurt her self by using one of the chairs. She cannot get up from it unless she slides the chair back and then braces herself against something. WE do not have the option to visit at her place because she can not clean her place and does not want any one to come in the house. The three dogs in the house don`t help either. By the way she has many health problems, and told us there is nothing she do medically to help herself. So sad!

I sure love the kind heartedness I always find in this forum. It is wonderful. I agree with many here...do what you can to help this woman learn whatever form of sewing she needs, and do it at her home, or in your garage IF that is workable for you. Maybe she NEEDS to be out of her home and accepted, but do it on your terms, so no one is upset if things get broken. Good luck and I applaud you for wanting to help out. We need more folks like you in our world.
Vickey S.

what a wonderful thing to share your knowledge. I also think that helping her sit up a place to sew at her home would be great. not only will she be where she can manuver around but have a place set up to sew even if you aren't there. When i first started I would of loved for someone to get me started setting up and not be so lost. If she is a beginning sewer to begin with keep it simple. my one friend was upset cause the class we took was what she concidered over her head. she just wanted to learn and felt comfortable with just squares.so simple is good. that way she learns and gets the feel of the machine and those 1/4 seams. learns cutting straight lines etc.

She is definitely going to need a sewing station/quilting space at her own home, so that would be my suggestion. Is she mobile enough to get out on her own or do you need to take supplies to her? What does she have and what does she need? Does she want to machine or hand piece? I really think I'd offer to go to her place or to a LQS. You can go home when you get ready!

Sit up a sewing machine in her bedroom. That was she can either sit on her bed or on a chair. Or you can cut some square and teach her how to sew by hand. either way you will make her happy.