My sister saw the quilt top that I did for my DD. Now she wants one, but she said she just needs to be able to cover her shoulders, she doesn't need a big quilt. So, i told her I'd email some pattern ideas to her.

Then this mornng I was in the basement rearranging holiday stuff and thought I really need to either get a new Christmas tree skirt or make one I really like. Then I was thinking.... that the christmas tree skirt would be the perfect thing to cover cold shoulders - just have to make the opening for the head (which would be the base of the Christmas tree) big enough. Kind of like a pancho.

What do you think? Anyone ever try this type of thing? Do ya'll think I'm crazy??? Cuz that would be OK if you did!! I'm tempted to go downstairs and get the Christmas tree skirt out and have my DD try it on for size!

Part of me is laughing... and the other part of me is saying... well.... it might just work... just have to figure out a pattern.

I think it's a great idea!! As far as being crazy I don't know you that well to determine LOL :D:D (kidding of course)

I don't think you're crazy, I think you're brilliant! You may need to adjust the pattern for the neck opening, but I think it will work perfectly.

Sounds to me you're not crazy, but clever!
IMHO it should work well , with a bit more space for the neck than there is for the tree LOL.

Do go down and get it up and try it on.

I made shawls for the nursing home that were cut from fleece 26" wide. Then I turned under and inch top and bottom. I fringed the edges I have also seen patchwork shawl 72" by 24". They had pockets put the last 6 inches of the ends of the shawl.

Nancy's notions catalog has a wonderful Patchwork shawl more of a U shape.

But first try on that Christmas Tree skirt, It may be wonderful and work so perfectly and be your very own design

Do go down and get it up and try it on.

I made shawls for the nursing home that were cut from fleece 26" wide. Then I turned under and inch top and bottom. I fringed the edges I have also seen patchwork shawl 72" by 24". They had pockets put the last 6 inches of the ends of the shawl.

Nancy's notions catalog has a wonderful Patchwork shawl more of a U shape. it would be a Christmas tree skirt with just a little shaping and the neckline is more of a U rather than a circle.

But first try on that Christmas Tree skirt, It may be wonderful and work so perfectly and be your very own design

Sounds like a plan and very creative!

Necessity is the mother of invention. You may have just come up with something! Go for it. Make the neck opening bigger and put a 'seam' on the shoulders to lower (angle) it down around the body a little bit.

I've often thought of doing something like that. I would make something like a table runner only wider. The skirt idea is a good one, though.

Years ago my mom was making vests then made shaws and this was a quilted.

That's an awesome idea! You could probably use a poncho pattern too for a quilted poncho!

I think that's a great idea!

Sure sounds neat, but I think that Mexicans have used Ponchos years and years and years and liked them. I find them warm and cosy, have one that my DH got me 40 or so years ago. Most of them are rectangles, with the long ends either straight up and down or sideways, with a hole for the head. Used for fiesta, fancy parties or just plain warmth. The one I have is marvelous for cold restaurants, which seem to think we want to dine in a refrigerator!
Only thing was, it had just the hole in the middle, but it kept messing up my hair so I cut it down the front and put a matching poly lining in it with inside pockets, and buttons with crocheted catches. Comfy and easy to wear.

Neat idea. You could use velcro or some decorative closures.

Great idea.

[quote=babyboomerquilter]Sounds like a plan and very creative!
-----------------
I agree, and suddenly can see it made in a gigantic Dresden Plate design. Maybe in black, greys and creams to be worn over a dressy outfit, or bright colors for everyday but to match most of your clothes. Perhaps even made from denim, cut from old jeans to match the ones you wear every day. Lined with some fancy patterned poly like some of the most expensive men's suits.

Darnit, the first one didn't seem to be able to post, so
punched the button again....

You never know until you try !!!!
You have to patten that idea !!!!
I do have a poncho made from a wool blanet the neck has some hand work on it !!! I love it !!!!
Wear it all the time in the winter and always get complements on it !!!

If she just wants something for her shoulders that sounds perfect! We have a picture of my daughter almost every year wearing out tree skirt as a skirt around her waist. I made a new quilted one, but I am saving that one for her someday!

Makes totaly sense, if all she's wanting is something like a shawl. You could leave some long strips so she could tie a bow at her neck line and be able to move around, knowing it would stay put!

That makes perfect sense!!!!

That is an interesting request............Just make sure they don't accidentally decorate your sis. No, you are not crazy. I would like to put a permanent quilt over the face of my SIL. (It is beneath her to sew)

Back in the 60's and 70's ponchos were hippie attire. 'Everything old is new again".

I made a shawl from a pattern on Moda Bake shop out of a jelly roll. Really neat. I lined mine with Minkie. Love IT!

Great idea!

Some of those tree skirts are in my box of photo props. Our big Winter 4-H event includes photo-op in a sled, w/wo Santa. The kids toss the skirts around their shoulders and look sort of Ole English. Poncho, cape, shoulder wrap. Go for it. We'll be waiting for your take on an ole favorite.

A tree skirt is just a big cape! Go for it!

I have used a Christmas tree skirt pattern for a cape like cover and also for a skirt.

I think it's a great idea. I knitted some a few years ago. I saw one somewhere that was U-shaped as someone else mentioned. Something even kinda cup shaped with an opening in the front and space for the neck would work. It would fit more around the shoulders and upper arms. Make a muslin first and fine tune that before you start cutting up good fabric.

I think that is a great idea, but considering this will go over her head, the opening would have to be larger around than her neck. To make that hole smaller, use a wider binding on the inside circle and thread some elastic through it. Stretch over head, then pull back to protect the shoulder area around the neck.

There is a free shawl pattern from Marcus bros, made with flannel.
http://www.marcusbrothers.com/makeit...ts/cozy_shawl/

How long were the finished fleece shawls? Thx.

I think this is a great idea, a friend of mine could not find a cape pattern and used the tree skirt to make one and it was beautiful. Just think outside the box like that and you get many ideas. Your mind was working that day,

I think your asking the wrong bunch of people. We take big pieces of fabric, cut them into tiny pieces and sew them back together to make a big piece of fabric. Quilters are all crazy! Great idea! :lol:

Sound like a good idea to me. I have a lap quilt I keep on the back of my recliner to kind of wrap up in. That works but it is always sliding off and I have to keep rearranging it on my shoulders. The tree skirt would stay on much better. :lol:

i know I have seen patterns for prayer shawls. wouldn't it be the same thing?

Thank you so much for this info. I went and searched, found one I thought she might like and googled that. Found another one she might like. She ended up choosing the Calypso jacket. I'll try to insert the link. It will be perfect for her. She meditates everyday and her shoulders get cold.

Make it a 'crazy quilt', of course. Silk, satin and velvet, etc.

Shoulder quilt is a very good idea.

Here is the link for the Calypso Jacket she decided on. Can't wait to try it. Might have to do a sample one first.

http://images.patternreview.com/sewi...140/bss140.pdf

WOW - this is lovely. I'll have to go and look at the site. I found a jelly roll "I" really like but wasn't sure what to do with it. Now I think I know!