Double knit - What would you do with it?
 

I have a lot of double knits from the 60's and 70's which my husband picked up at an auction a few years back. I've been wondering, do you think it would make good lap quilts for nursing homes (w/o a batting)? Would they be happy to get it, or do you have some better idea of how I could use it? I am open for all kinds of suggestions. Thanks for your considerations. Margie

Some people love the quilts made of double knits (my DDIL for one) It is warm and never wears out. I Hate it am so glad I don't have to wear it. It is very easy to sew on. Contact the organization you wish to donate to and see if they can use it. Possible other uses are pet beds.

you could cut squares and make quilts with them. maybe 1/2 inch seams and sew those down. should make nice quilts. i used to make all my dresses out of that long ago. i hated ironing and this was wonderful.

My church likes double knit to make items of clothing to be sent to third world countries. These countries wash their cloths on rocks and double knit wears longer. Maybe there is an organization close by you that does humanitarian type services such as this that would appreciate a donation either for quilts or clothing depending on size of pieces.

I have some double knit quilts my grandmother pieced over 30 years ago that are just like they were when she pieced and have been used practically daily for tents, putting on the floor for picnics with the grandchildren and keeping warm, which they do an excellent job. I tie tacked all of them, some with sheets for backing, some with quilted fabric backing and some with double knit backing. They are great, would not trade them for anything.

I reciently used a piece of double knit for the back of a nursing home quilt. They told me that the quilt withstands their washing machines. Also it stays on laps in wheel chairs better because it isn't slick. The top is cotton.

Thanks, everyone for your ideas. I especially liked Kat Sews idea about using it on the back of lap quilts to make them stay on laps - as I have that problem myself. My lap slants down toward my knees and everything falls off. I used to wear a lot of double knit back in the 60's and loved it then because you didn't have to iron it. But I don't want to wear it now.

This is my understanding as well. I make quilts for local pet shelter and the dogs love the various textures of the double knit squares and they are easy to launder. I do 10 to 12-inch squares and then either tie or SID with a quick stitch in the middle of the block with flannel backing, or sometimes without backing.

I'm sleeping under a quilt made of double knits years ago by my grandmother. Very warm.