kacklebird

Hi,

Does anyone have a pattern of a quilted arm sling that they would be willing to share? My friend has the aggressive form of Rheumatoid Arthritis and her elbow is killing her. She is having so much pain that she can't use that arm. When she holds her arm up instead of hanging it down she gets relief so I wanted to suprise her with a quilted arm sling. I asked her yesterday if she supported her arm did it help and she said yes so I thought I would give this a try. Honestly, it's breaking my heart to see her suffer as she can't even pick her arm up to brush her hair, etc. I haven't sewn boo in terms of a quilt as I had planned when I joined this group so figured this will make me get going even though it isn't a quilt. At least it will be quilted. Any pattern or suggestions on how to make one would be GREATLY appreciated. It breaks my heart to see her suffer in pain and she's on so many medications. I wanted to suprise her with one asap. I'm not good with figuring out patterns, meaning creating or pulling one out of my head either as I have cognitive issues and decline from my own stupid disease. ughhh Thanks a bunch if someone could direct me.

Take care

GEMRM

I do not have a pattern, but my suggestion would be to buy a plain cotton triangle bandage and use that as a muslin type base to piece onto. This should give the proper size.Use a light or flannel batting, and if you leave the batting out at the tips of the triangle, you can then leave the main fabric and muslin to tie the corners. The other corner can be quilted, as it is pinned typically, if you have the time and ability to custom fit on her, you could sew velcro type fastenings so she could adjust it one handed as needed. You would need to bind it using this technique. Also, depending on how much warmth she may want, you could use flannel as a backing on the inside. If you decide to use a backing fabric, you could do as "envelope", where you sew the right sides together and turn right sides out through a small opening you left unstitched. Hope this makes sense! I am sure somewhere on You Tube you can find a first aid video to show how to tie a triangular bandage into a sling. It's fairly easy.
Just a few thoughts, hope it may help! Sorry to hear your friend is in pain. It's great that you want to help. Good luck and let us know how it works, whatever you do, someone else may want or need a similar item.
GEMRM

PaperPrincess

you could also go to a drug store and purchase a sling. I don't think they are too expensive. Carefully take it apart. You can use the fabric portion as a pattern, then use the straps etc. that are on the purchased sling for your quilted one.

ghostrider

There are several ideas available online. Here's a sample.
http://welcometomychaos.com/2011/01/...ous-arm-sling/
http://www.ehow.com/how_5458898_sew-...staid-kit.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/18115-make-arm-sling/

Cybrarian

The advice above is great-you are a kind and thoughtful friend and this helpful gift will definitely convey that.

QuiltnNan

this was my first thought as well. i don't even think you would have to take the purchased one apart... you can make a quilted piece the size of the arm covering and just sew it to the purchased sling. i'm sure she'll appreciate your thoughtfulness and that she won't have a drab sling to wear.

Tartan

If you have a large square scarf, you fold it in half and tie the 2 corners together to form a sling. Play with the knot placement until you get the fit just right. This is what my mother did in the "old days" for a sling for me. She used a pretty silk scarf and folded the elbow corner up and put a safety pin in it. It was comfortable and pretty too. You could make a quilted one but the silk one was perfect for me. It was pretty, cool and it slides nicely against your skin and clothes.