Originally Posted by Ginny B

I'm new here and was browsing through the topics and came across this one that hit home. My husband's 87 yr. old aunt (also his godmother) just went into a nursing home 2 weeks ago. I think I'm going to try and get a lapquilt made both for her and also for someone who may not have people visiting much. What a wonderful idea!

Originally Posted by Greenheron

Great idea. The folks love visitors, though, so try to give it to the lucky resident in person. It's the personal human contact that is the greater gift. :thumbup:

Originally Posted by quilting cat

This reminds me of a project (popular c. 1980) that was called a "butterfly jacket". It was made by putting 5 quilt blocks (I think they were 14") together in a cross shape, curving the corners off and cutting up to the center from one edge for a front opening and making a neck slit; then all the edges were bound and ties added to the sides and front.
Sounds like a good one for the nursing home!

Originally Posted by sarahrachel

I'm already thinking Christmas and what everyone's faces will look like when they open their gifts. Then for some reason, my mind strayed to those who don't get gifts at Christmas, or don't get to see their families. And it made me sad, all those frowns and sad people on Christmas.

So I decided I was going to make 1 extra quilt and give it to one of the local nursing homes. I was watching All in the Family last night, and I think this is where the idea came from, and Edith was working at the Sunshine Home and the one lady died and was sort of upset that her daughter hadn't come to visit her in a while, and how she was sad.

So I'm going to make 1 extra quilt, even just a lap quilt, and take it to the nursing home and have it all tied up in a nice simple red bow, and ask the front desk to take it to someone who doesn't receive many visitors.

SO my challenge to you is to make one extra quilt, just one, it can be a patchwork or anything you like, and take it to either a nursing home, a homeless shelter and just donate it to the shelter, or the local children's home because I know every year ours goes around and asks for gifts to give the children so that each child can open at least 1 present.

I'll keep you posted on my quilt and you can post yours as well if you want.

Originally Posted by sarahrachel

I was told that they shouldn't be wider than 36 inches so they won't get caught in the wheels and no longer than 48 inches. I'm thinking about doing a sampler quilt with 12 inch blocks, but then I wouldn't have any sashing...must think about this!