I'm already thinking Christmas and what everyone's faces will look like when they open their gifts. Then for some reason, my mind strayed to those who don't get gifts at Christmas, or don't get to see their families. And it made me sad, all those frowns and sad people on Christmas.

So I decided I was going to make 1 extra quilt and give it to one of the local nursing homes. I was watching All in the Family last night, and I think this is where the idea came from, and Edith was working at the Sunshine Home and the one lady died and was sort of upset that her daughter hadn't come to visit her in a while, and how she was sad.

So I'm going to make 1 extra quilt, even just a lap quilt, and take it to the nursing home and have it all tied up in a nice simple red bow, and ask the front desk to take it to someone who doesn't receive many visitors.

SO my challenge to you is to make one extra quilt, just one, it can be a patchwork or anything you like, and take it to either a nursing home, a homeless shelter and just donate it to the shelter, or the local children's home because I know every year ours goes around and asks for gifts to give the children so that each child can open at least 1 present.

I'll keep you posted on my quilt and you can post yours as well if you want.

i love this idea im going to try to do this as well

I have 2 lap quilts that I am going to take to the local VA Hospital the next time my hubby has his appointment. They would like them also.

Sounds like a good commitment!

I am hoping to have a couple more for foster kids before Christmas.

Many of us do this already. Nice thought.

What a wonderful idea. I'm going to do it.

What sweet and generous people are on this board. I am going to try too.

What a very nice idea, and PLENTY of time to do it in! :D

I try to make as many child size and lap size quilts as I can and add them to my Guild's Giving Closet. Around Christmas the Guild distributes them to nearby nursing homes, food pantrys, churchs, etc. and many quilts find good homes. Thanks for issuing the challenge it reminded me to get started on those quilts. May in Jersey

great idea,I have done lots of quilts for kids.nursing home is a great idea

I find it great that so many people do it already, but for those of us who don't, maybe it's a new tradition you can start.

And I think it would be great to use this quilt as a "test" quilt for new patterns, because I'm pretty sure that whoever receives it won't be too upset if all the seams don't match up or there are little mistakes in them. But I'm so happy a bunch of people are excepting the challenge!

I used to make the 'lapghans' (lap sized quilts or afghans) but then the nursing home asked if I could make shoulder wraps instead as the lapghans continually fell to the floor and got caught up in the wheelchair spokes. Most residents stated that their shoulders were always so cold -maybe others could work this into their projects also.

sisLH could you show us a picture of the should wraps that is a good idea.

Yes... I'd like to make some shoulder wraps, too. Just need a pattern, I guess..

It's the best I could come up with for a pattern, a little hard to follow in my opinion, but a pattern I guess. But I'd love to see one sisLH as well! They sound a little quicker than a quilt.

Oops! forgot the link! But I found a better one instead

http://www.marcusfabrics.com/makeit/...awl/index.html

I'm in.

Last year my dear uncle was in a facility for alzheimer's patients (hate the word nursing home) and i was determined to make him a lap quilt. He passed away before i got it done so at christmas i made a flannel rag quilt and took it over on christmas eve to the center. they were so thrilled to have it. made me feel good to do something. i told my mother i would try to make one every year to give to them. but i really like the idea of the shawl for around the shoulder - definitely will try to do this one! thanks for the link and idea

I'm in. Sounds like a wonderful idea. Now all I have to do is find a shoulder wrap pattern to use. I guess I could make my own. I'll try anyway. HaHa

I noticed many of the young men amputees at the VA hospital where I take my son,have towels around there shoulders.Now I know why. Something maybe with navy emblems and backed in fleece. It would not need batting and not much quilting. There are many fabrics with military insignia on them. They all seem to wear their branch. My sons have lots of Navy towels tees, etc. DH is Marine Corp all the way, my Dad was Army. I think I will try to whip up a few. Thanks for the idea.

I am going to try, too, what a nice idea! I have spent the last couple of days thinking about some projects to start for Christmas, what a coincidence!

This is a great idea!! Must do it myself!!! Thank you.

A wonderful idea! I'm in.

Nursing homes are in need of adult size bibs too. They are quick to make. Here's a link to a pattern, I figured someone would ask for it. The 1st link is the home page. The 2nd link is the actual pattern.

http://outonthetownbibs.com/adultbib...bibpattern.php

http://outonthetownbibs.com/images/B...dult%20Bib.pdf
crafty_linda_b

I like both ideas...thanks...

What a great idea. Hope everyone joins in.

Our LQS is connected to a Seniors' Santa project. Last year was our first year and I think we managed about 50 quilts for Seniors with little support and little income. This year we started in January, so we hope to have even more. It's a wonderful project. I have three at home waiting to be quilted right now. It sure does make Christmas special.

I like this idea, too. I'm in!

This reminds me of a project (popular c. 1980) that was called a "butterfly jacket". It was made by putting 5 quilt blocks (I think they were 14") together in a cross shape, curving the corners off and cutting up to the center from one edge for a front opening and making a neck slit; then all the edges were bound and ties added to the sides and front.
Sounds like a good one for the nursing home!

Could you tell us the measurements? I could make my own patterns if I knew the size to make them.

A few years ago my BFF & I donated quilts to the "Wishing Tree" here in Brisbane. You take a card and it tells M/F, age and is for every one. It was the best feeling when I delivered those quilts.
We donated quilts for children. I think all up we donated about 10 quilts. My friend had a heart attack in early December so couldn't finish as many as she had hoped to make.

I am going to do that thanks for idea

Thank you for the reminder. I'm committed to this.

Thanks for the good idea, and good timing. Plenty of time before the holiday season.

How very nice of you to be thinking of others...

I love this idea!! I'm going to start right away, will try to make at least one Bib a month...and 2 lap quilts before Christmas...Please post your pictures after you finish one..

You're a sweetheart for doing this, my thanks to you. I make a couple of special quilts each years for the children's hospital, but never thought about doing them for nursing homes. You've inspired me to add another donation quilt to my list, thank you!

It is a lovely idea. In fact I've been thinking of doing the same thing. 2 friends and I visit the local nursing home on Fridays to read to them. I do have a suggestion though and I certainly don't want to sound negative but if you could actually get a name of a person to give the quilt to, you should make a label with their name quilted in it. I've heard from many of our friends that things tend to disappear from the resident"s rooms. Just saying.

That sounds like a good idea because I was a little afraid of that happening.

As for what size to make the lap quilts, someone on here posted that question last year and I just found it. They said the size shouldn't be larger than 36 inches wide so it won't get caught in the wheelchair. I'm thinking between 45-48 inches long. Now to go come up with a pattern!

What a wonderful idea - something I can easily do on this side of the world