Originally Posted by danade

Not to thwart anybody's wonderful kindness in making quilts for hospice patients, but it's good to remember that not everyone in Hospice is a Christian and not everybody nor their families might appreciate quilts with angels, Christian prayers, or other overtly religious themes. For example, patients might be Jewish, Hindu, Muslim or just folks who are not religious at all. Lovely quilts are for sure going to be appreciated but this is just something that occurred to me.

Originally Posted by angieh1964

i got most of my panels at ebay just put in fabric panels they were all delivered promptly and i got good prices just watch the sizes i got 2 that were a little smaller than i thought they would be but i made them work i have some of the ones i made for christmas posted here these are aall from ebay.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-108520-1.htm

Originally Posted by quilter2theend

I went to an amish shop the other day and they have quilt tops that are already pieced, you have to add backing and batting. Don't know about angel fabric though, I didn't see any. I bought an Amazing Grace panel a few years ago (can't remember if it was at Joann's or a private shop). It has Jesus looking down on a scene with angels, and sheep in a pasture with a bridge and brook.

Originally Posted by lalaland

On the construction, if you want to do something simple that really looks nice, make an envelope quilt. You can use batting, or not, right sides together sew around the perimeter, leaving an opening, then turn right side out, sew the opening shut, then run 2 rows of stitches vertically to anchor the batting so it won't shift.

I measure the width of the quilt, divide by 3, then sew the lines at the 1/3 mark. So, if the width is 12", divide by 3 is 4", so I sew a line 4" in from the left side and the right side.

It's very simple, it looks nice, you can do it quickly, and they wear extremely well.

Also, on panels, look for pillow panels as well. You can cut them and arrange them on a quilt with borders. Here's an envelope quilt I did using pillow panels.

Originally Posted by pbreon

Dear Debbie, I have compliment you for the effort... I am a former Hospice Volunteer Director, and know the jester is so appreciated.... I did have a few volunteers who made quilts for the patients and the families cherished the quilts when their loved one passed.... Your quilts do not have to be Fancy or large....We found the Lap size throws were just perfect! be sure you label them with the info representing the Hospice. I also had Volunteers who made just the Labels...this was a project on its own...some of the quilts were as simple as can be of just 9 patch, and some had focal 9" block flower, landscape, etc, as well as a few that were "Male" themes... I am so sure your Vol. Coord. will appreciate them as well as the families.... Another suggestion are the Prayer shawls.. they went well for the purpose as well.
Hope I didn't ramble too much... i loved my job, because I never looked at it as a job. , came to a passionate Love for the family as well as being able to be in oneslast moments of their life..
Here is another hint for you that worked well for my volunteers.... wear you Hospice Vol. Name tag, have the Volunteer Coord. make you Bussiness cards, so when you go to the LFS or your LQS, ask if they will offer a discount for the yardage you will be buying....Joann's Hancock's always gave us a disc... I so love your gift of giving. Bless you, your Heart, and your hands...<3