Wheelchair quilts for the VA
 

Our club is making wheelchair quilts for the VA. I was told to make them 36 x 36. That seems too small to me. I bought 8 yards each of beige and navy blue flannel to suppliment the flannel shirts that I have been collecting for this project. Doesn't 36 x 36 seem too small? Would hate to go to all that work and then have them not be usable.

It sounds small to me, too. I don't know what the proper size would be. I'll be interested in the answer from someone who knows the answer.

I'd think crib . Isn't 36x36 what Project Linus recommends for Premies?

My group is making some lap quilts for our extended care. This size and some a little longer This way they don't tangle in the wheelchairs and cause falls

Whoever comes up with these measurements has never been in a wheel chair. A square yard is useless. You need at least enough to tuck under each leg and to extend to the feet.

LOL, won't tangle? That is the primary issue? I'd think being warm would be the primary consideration!

warm is NOT usually the issue..safety first is always the issue! We did ours this size and then put a pocket were the lap would be, so they could keep things in it. We filled the pocket with a small pocket comb, pocket tissues and some goodies!

Even though I haven't made any quilts for wheel chairs...I think I would make them 36" X 48"

http://soldiersangels.org/uploads/bog/BOGguidelines.pdf
http://news.yahoo.com/knights-columb...234611182.html
http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp368351.jsp
the first two sites listed are for veterans, the third is for a hospice program... my knitting forum has just been thru all this... if you do not adhere exactly to their guidelines, they give the laprobes away... and each veterans' hospital, home and support group has their own rules. you need to contact the location you mean to give to and find out what they need and don't need. one of the groups we located told us they had hundreds of laprobes stockpiled and did not want any more at this time (this was only 4-6 weeks ago) but they did provide us with a list of things they DID need... i'm not saying don't make them, i'm just saying find the destination first and provide what they need and not what you would necessarily enjoy making. there were lots of groups listed.

Jacquie, you are so right!! Since 36" x 36" was the recommended size, I just took a quick measurement as I sat in my computer chair. I have 28" from arm to arm, leaving 8" (4" for each side) to be tucked in on the side of each leg. I then measured down from my waist (sitting in the chair) and 36" hits the top of my foot. I'm 5'8" tall and, shall we say, a "full-figured woman" and the 36" x 36" would be perfect. It sounded small to me as well, but doing the measurement proved that it was a good size. There are lots of disability service-related organizations that would appreciate donations. I worked for a number of years for a Center for Independent Living (CIL) when I lived in VA whose mission is to support, encourage, and provide options to people with disabilities. They are located all across the United States (VA, I believe, had 13 Centers - maybe more). Here's a link so you can find one in your area: http://www.ilru.org/html/publication...ory/index.html