I have a request for quilters. While making a quilt for my aunt on dialysis, I searched to see if there were in organization that make quilts for dialysis patients. I could not find one. My aunt is always saying how cold it is there and althought at her center they do give them blankets, they are still cold. I read on the internet with cutbacks some hospitals have stopped passing out blankets to dialysis patients who come in for day treatments, they have to bring their own. So I am requesting to my fellow QB members that we make a quilt for at least one dialysis patient for Christmas. My goal is 10, so far I have 3 tops done.

Good idea, I'm in, our local hospital has a chemo unit. You have motivated me to do at least 5. Thank you.

Dialysis Patients are usually told to wear warm clothes and bring a blanket as well. I recently made a large quilted bag for my BFF's 90 y/o Mom who is on Dialysis that carries all her stuff to dialysis. It has several pockets and a clear plastic pocket to carry her Insurance card in. Large enough for her blanket and snack.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-45603-1.htm

I made a quilt for former student that was black, red and white - with a black flannel backing so that it could be clean and not stained looking.

I love your bag, that's a good idea. I know a lot of people already have charity quilts they make. I thoght this would be a good idea to get rid of some of our UFOs. I have a lot of flannel I can use for backing. Thanks.

I also made a quilt for a dialysis patient because she was always so cold. I backed it with flannel & used leftover fabric for a bag. Wish I had thought to put a pocket in for insurance card, etc.

What size would be right for this type quilt? I am interested in doing some too.

The ones I have done are about 45x60. If anyone has any suggestions, please post them. I still consider myself a beginner so this is new to me. I will post pictures when my camera finish charging.

What a wonderful thing to do! My husband will be a dialysis patient in the very new future, so I will make him a quilt. He is always cold now because of blood thinners. I can't imagine how cold he will be once he starts dialysis.

Thank you for the wonderful suggestion!

My husband is on dialysis. He is always saying how cold it gets in there. They could all use a nice warm quilt.

I saved your link for the bag. What a great idea! I love that the inside has a zipper. Don't know where they do dialysis around here. It's not at either hospital that I've ever seen, but then, if you aren't looking for it, it probably doesn't jump out at you.

That is my goal this year! We have a chemo unit as well. Being a former chemo patient, it can get chilly in there and I want to help other patients!

I am a dialysis RN, the reason we keep it so cold is so that their Blood Pressure willnot drop,I even get cold . So that is a wonderful idea, and I know the pts will be very grateful, Thanks

That is a great idea, my brother had to have treatment , He said it was cold there, even tho they gave a small blanket to him. The one I made for him was flannel, nice and warm, he loved it. I will gladly make a couple to give to the dialysis center, Thanks for the suggestion.

Then would we be defeating the purpose by helping dialysis patients stay warm with a cozy quilt?

Just wondering ...

Keep with the cottons. Our center here asked that we do not use fleece, or any synthetic fabric, because it can react with the patient's skin. Flannel rag quilts work really well too.

My mother was commissioned to make a comforter for a dialysis patient. She used down feathers and made it out of micro-suede. It was beautiful and the man paid her the $100 for supplies and $150 for labor. She was hoping for more orders but I'm sure that price is too steep for patients.

I'm just wondering...are regular quilts warm enough for the patients? This patient wanted something really heavy. Would the quilts need some special kind of batting?

My husband was a dialysis patient and speaking from experience darker colors which would not show stains would be big plus, blood stains are always a posibility and It might really upset someone to get their light colored quilt stained. Check with your local center to see if they have any restrictions on fabric types like no fleece. They could also point you in the direction of someone who really needs the lovig touch of a special quilt. From my experience the nurses, patients and caregivers become one big family.

Wonderful idea,

My husband works at a dialysis unit and last year a guild in our ara donated 50=60 quilts for their patients. They were all sizes. He had me come by to look at them before they were given out. They were beautiful. Each patient received one to keep. It was a mini quilt show and a generous gesture. he said the patients loved them

My daughter is a social worker at a diaylis clinic (actually works at 5 different locations and she also tells me how cold they get and some do not have funds for extra's so you have inspired me also to do this for her patients.(right now she has 70) Thanks for sharing this idea with our board.
Pat

I like to offer another suggestion. My DH was a dialysis patient, He didn't like the quilt because it kept falling down. I took a old polar sweater, made a slit all the way on top of the sleeve and put a two way zipper. He kept warm , the nurse loved it because the tubing was not hidden and it was easy to access. I did some for some of the patients who brought sweaters.

So pleased to see this as last week I delivered a dozen to our local hospital here in North Wales, they were so grateful as you can see: http://inlinethumb22.webshots.com/49...425x425Q85.jpg An added bonus was that Nora, the grey haired lady insisted on trying to buy it so to appease her we suggested that she made a donation to the Renal unit, and said to Dr Hans, the gentleman on the right, to say the same to any patient who wanted to pay something.

my aunt does this, my uncle is on dialysis, she makes them for his friends on dialysis. Bless your heart

I'm in....great suggesion..I did not know of the need

I didn't either until my aunt went on dialysis. A lot of members already are doing wonderful work with different organizations making quilts. I just thought for the ones who have the time and extra fabric (lol) around, we could do something we love doing and help someone at the same time. Some quilters may have that quilt they just hate or the points didn't match, or blocks didn't lineup. Maybe this can be a quilt you donate. I figure this will help motivate me to finish some of my UFOs. Thank you all for responding, it's all about making us aware of the need for others.

Hello Ann63,

I am so glad you suggested this to our wonderful QB. I began making quilts for dialysis patients when I first started quilting. For every two quilts I make, then I make a
third dialysis quilt. Often I have enough material left to do their quilt. If not, I can get into the stash and make one. My twin brother is on dialysis, and he says the patients just love to receive the quilts. Besides keeping them warm, it picks up their spirits and makes them happy.

Right after my kidney transplant, I started quilting. I made a lot of rag quilts for dialyses patients using denim & flannel. As you probabally know they get VERY cold during thier treatments and the demin/flannel quilts are heavy enough. If you send me your address I'll send you some left over flannel & denim if you want to make these.

Lapsize worked best for most. For larger men I'd make mine a little bigger so it covered them fully.

what size should you make the dialysis quilt?

there is an organization who makes dialisis quilts it is called Victorias quilts they are in the US and they have a few chapters in Montreal Canada as well. they have recomendations as to sizes and what type off materials to use. hope this helps someone.

Interesting. I made a fleece "blanket" for my dh. No one mentioned not to use fleece. I did the kind that you cut the edges and tie. This makes it a double thickness. Dh likes the soft feel, and it seems to stay on him without slipping off. I am sure some patients would have a problem with it. Thats good to know. Our center will furnish a blanket if needed, but I notice most of the people have their own. Some are very pretty quilts.

Oh wow, I never ever thought of doing this. I worked as a Dialysis Tech for 8 yrs and I loved it. It was my favorite job. I loved getting to know the patients and taking care of them. I was thinking not too long ago about how I would like to make some quilts to donate to some place. I know there are lots of organizations to donate to, but I've never heard anyone talk about donating to Dialysis centers. I think this is awesome and they have a special place in my heart.
Thank you so much for suggesting this.

how thoughtful of you to do this.

Wonderful!!!!!!!!!! What size do they prefer?

I am wondering if it would be helpful to attach a loop at the top of the quilt to go over the head and thus keep the quilt from sliding off. Or it could be two lengths that could be tied around the neck. If this were made of soft flannel it should not be too irritating to use.
Does this sound like a good idea or no?

When I make them I use flannel and make it long so it can be tucked under their feet.. Lots don't want shoes on for the hours they must sit.

Thank you for starting this thread, as my DH just started dialysis. I've gathered music fabric to make him a quilt - he's a jazz musician. I've been looking for the right pattern for this. I'm anxious to read the other replies for inspiration. Thank you.

Thanks so much for this information and request. My DH was headed for dialysis before he passed and I know of a couple of people who are on dialysis. I should have thought of that before and since my friend and I am already making charity quilts for this area - think maybe we should invest in some more flannel and make some fun raggy quilts to be given. I have been making baby quilt size raggy quilts with batting inside them for warmth - could someone who knows about dialysis p.m. me and let me know if that is a good idea or not? Thanks so much

It's worth putting a note pinned to the quilt on how to wash them, as they may get blood on them.

I have found the best way is just to chuck them into a washing machine on a cold rinse cycle with a handful of salt, works wonders.

I made one for a friend and put her name on it (by machine), several places as part of the design. She said that was most useful as things tend to get mislaid.

When I made a quilt for an aunt in a nursing home, I appliqued her name in big letters. To make it more personal, I appliqued, Gram, Auntie , her first name, her married name,(Mrs. John Smith)everything she was ever called. It was hard to lose and it brought back many memories.