Breast Cancer quilt information
 

Hi quilters,

My son's friend found out his mother has breast cancer and I was surprise that my son said maybe I could make her a quilt.

So here are my questions:

How big do I make it?

Does it have to be pink? (I don't think so, but just getting a majority vote on this.)

Light, med, or heavy batting?

Thanks in advance, and if you have any suggestions, I am willing to read any and all of them.

Sue

I have made comfort quilts for folks in many lousy circumstances. See if you can find out what colors she likes ,what kind of personality...ie. girly- girl,outdoorsy,modern,traditional. I make mine light weight( easier to fold up and haul around) with the backing flannel or minky( soft and comfy). I find out how tall they are,and add 12 inches to make the length just right. Mine tend to be bright colors on a white or beige background, simple patterns that are fast to sew up. I FMQ words of encouragement( peace,love,faith. Etc) in the sashing.

I agree that I don't think it has to be pink. You could always embroider the crossed pink ribbon symbol (small in size) on the quilt if you wanted it on there. I have also seen some of the pink ribbon printed fabric somewhere, but can't recall where just now if you wanted to add it in a block or a piece on the back. Otherwise I would just go for a nice comforting quilt--a lap size might be nice because I think chemo patients are often cold, especially during infusion, and it might be nice to use during that.

Just a personal opinion. I am
A breast cancer survivor and really don't like anything as a reminder - I never wear pink ribbons or hats or shirts - and for me personally would never want a quilt to remind me. The reminders are on my body and in my mind already. I love the idea of a comfort quilt in her favorite colors. Can you find out what she would like?

Ditto..as a breast cancer survivor I can honestly say I'm SICK OF PINK! I try to forget as much as I can.

I agree with Stitchnripper. As a cancer survivor I would't want to look at pink ribbons or a pink quilt. I would want a warm soft quilt out of some muted colors that would be soothing. I don't think being reminded of having cancer every time I used my quilt would be very comforting.

There are various opinions on whether breast cancer survivors want pink items. I have seen responses on the board for and against. Some even object to being called a "survivor".

My really great wonderful inspiring friend is a breast cancer survivor and she is also a clothes designer. She became an ambassador for Susan G Komen. she goes to the breast cancer treatment center to encourage other women in their journey. She has produce several "Think Pink" fashion shows in which she designed all of the clothing in various colors of pink and has other survivors participate in modeling them. And someone gave her a pair of pink boxing gloves when she was first diagnosed that she cherishes and brings with her to the different events she hosts.

My SIL is suffering from Stage 4 ovarian cancer and still through all she is going through manages to try to encourage others. She has been given much pink stuff from coworkers (though pink is not the color for ovarian cancer) and she brings it home to share or use herself. I made my SIL a red minky backed comfort quilt with the topside in flannel of Joe Boxer teddy bears dressed in red flannel pj's. She loves her quilt.

I guess it really depends on the personality of the person you are making the quilt for. Have your son or yourself talk to her son and find out what she really likes. You certainly wouldn't want to make her something pink that she really wouldn't like. After all it is a comfort quilt so make something that she would find comforting getting as much information before hand as possible.

Just a few thoughts here. Is the person definitely in for chemo? Not everyone is. If so, I'd think a comfort quilt would be very much appreciated. I'd go for something very soothing and easy, myself, knowing that after the storm is over, the patient may or may not love it so much. Myself, I took the turtlenecks I wore to radiation and chopped them into small cleaning rags. It was very satisfying. I wouldn't have done that to a quilt, but I certainly wouldn't have displayed it where I'd have to see it every day. Sometimes you have to do what's necessary to move on.

hugs,
Charlotte

I just want to say again that my comments reflect how I feel. I understand there are so many who do love and use the pink ribbon symbols. That's why I suggested trying to find out what the person would appreciate most

I agree with a lot of members here..it is personal preference but I think it would be appreciated no matter what color. With that said I made my cousin a Breast Cancer quilt around Christmas and sent it overseas to her (which she LOVED) and it was pink and used a prayer panel in it and flannel. Here is the original thread where I showed it:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/persona...n-t237188.html

I don't have breast cancer, but I do have many other health problems. I don't believe that my illness is all there is to me, and when people push the ribbons and colors and what not I feel like they are saying that is the only thing about me that matters anymore. I know that's not what they mean, and many people with health problems don't feel that way, but I do. Some others just don't want yet another reminder.

For someone you don't know well, I would not do ribbons. Do you know what colors she likes? If she has historically worn a lot of pink or used it some in decorating or what not I think using pink would be fine, because she likes it. But I'm not sure using pink only because it's breast cancer's color is the greatest idea.

I would use colors you know she likes, because there are no risks of that being a painful reminder.

Hi quilters,

Thank you for all your comments. They were all great ideas. I was really taken by surprise that my son suggested this. I did tell him to ask his friend about if he thinks his mom would like a blanket and also favorite colors or her favorite things she like to do or collect.

Thanks again,

Sue

You have a great kid there. :)

hugs,
charlotte

Wonderful quilt. "Pink" comes in many shades from the very palest all the way to fuchsia and perhaps beyond that.

I've given small pink ribbon quilted wall hangings to two of my DIL's friends. The response I got from them was amazing!.Every time I read the thank you card from one of these survivors, it makes me cry. She could not believe that someone she did not know would take the time to make something so beautiful for her. It also makes her heart smile. These are her words.

Well said. I was thinking the same thing. If I had cancer, I would much rather be looking at a quilt that made me smile than one that reminded me that I have cancer. Just remember, you want to give her comfort, not remind her of her illness. Avoid pink and ribbons.

A few years ago there was a heart shaped cushion for people with breast cancer . What happened to the pattern I've been looking and can't find it anywhere.
I would make a wild quilt in many colours to be as bright and cheerful as possible. Personally I hate pink. Nothing to do with having had cancer although just got over a scare.

Why not let the 2 boys select a pattern or colour ideas instead of asking her.

I agree, I was given a cancer pink ribbon quilt and gave it away. I don't want to be reminded and I am in my fifth year as a survivor.

I'm currently dealing with breast cancer (mastectomy is done, waiting to find out about chemo), and while I would loooove a pale pink quilt - because that is one of my favorite colors - I would really prefer not to have one that screams "breast cancer" every time I saw it. Something in her favorite colors, or something that goes with the decor of her home, would be preferable, in my opinion. As far as batting, I'd go with light or medium, but again, that's just my preference; I'm not usually a fan of pouffy quilts. Size, maybe lap size or something large enough to cover her entirely, neck to feet. I know when I got home from the hospital, I was freezing for the first couple of weeks and always wanted something to keep me warm (of course, it was also January and the middle of that polar vortex mess, but even if she does treatment in the summer, there's always air conditioning to contend with). Anyway, I think it's really sweet of your son to suggest it!

Two years ago my 33 year old niece was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a double mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and hysterectomy. She lives in Kansas City and I live in Texas, so we are not near each other. I emailed her, offering to make a quilt, and sending her pictures of quilts I had made, asking her to select a pattern of one that she liked and asking what colors she wanted.

She was delighted. She wanted blue and yellow and flowers. She enjoyed selecting the pattern and giving me guidance in the fabric selection. She wanted a cheerful quilt. It has been one year since her breast enhancement....I think that is what it is called....including tatooed nipples! She is such an inspiration to us all.

My message is that maybe you could involve the lady in your plans. My niece told me that thinking about the quilt helped her a lot. I emailed pictures of the process all along the way. It was like she was right here, guiding me into creating the quilt she wanted.

Let me see if I can find a picture of it....in case it helps.

Dina

But then again, my idea may not be so good if you don't know your son's friend's mother. Finding out her favorite colors may be good enough. I'd make a lap size. That was the size I made my niece.

I got to thinking that if you didn't know her, she might easily say that it was too much trouble. Just having a quilt given to her as a surprise would be better, maybe?

Dina