A quick and easy pattern would be rail fence. Plus, it's a nice way to showcase fabrics.

A side note: Some facilities do all the laundry, lap quilts too. They use VERY hot water. And sadly sometimes these treasures get lost. Just a heads up. Be sure to mark/label the quilts... embroidery would be the best.

I just want to second HillCountryGal's comment about marking the quilt. Do it in the largest letters you can. It's not only laundry slip ups, but other residents with dementia wander into each other's rooms and see items that they just know are theirs and take them. We were told do not bring anything that you can't bear to loose.

I would suggest a flannel backing - helps to keep the lap quilt on the lap.

What about a sampler? Those vintage patterns are some of my favorites. such as Dresden, Churn Dash, etc.

I've been planning to do this one with 30s fabrics:
http://www.quiltingwithroxanne.com/g...ly%20Winks.jpg

There is a free .pdf pattern online. Tiddlywinks by Roxanne Carter.

If you want the crinkly look, use a cotton batting such as Warm & Natural or Warm & White.

Cari, that is adorable and it looks fairly easy - I might borrow the design, if you don't mind!

I like the idea of the "fidget quilt" as well. Also thanks to those who suggested putting the names on in BIG letters and some sort of door hanging. I could keep the back of the hanging the same so it's familiar, then add ornaments for the seasons - maybe a felt hanging and velcro on the backs of the ornaments. And flannel for the back sounds like a great idea - non-slip plus these ladies are always cold! Thank you all so much! Will sit down tomorrow to really plan these out - no time today! Church, then a quilters group, then church again, then a birthday party today. And I have not yet gotten a birthday present! Oh boy!!

To me nothing says 1930s like a basket or Dresden plate block.

basket
http://www.quilterscache.com/C/CakeStandBlock.html

easy Dresden plate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcy_p4pryE4

Check about the wool allergies, but honestly it may not matter. I am allergic to wool so never wear wool sweaters, but encased in a quilt sandwich a wool batt does not bother me. For a lot of people, it is the quality of the wool and how it has been manufactured that bothers them. Wool fibers have little "hooks", and that's what gets me. I think many wool "allergies" are really simply sensitive skin that reacts to the hooks.

You cannot beat wool batting for warmth, comfort and wear qualities. The wool batting made by Hobbs and by Quilter's Dream are needlepunched for stability; those are the only two brands of wool batting I would consider using. Just want to make sure you don't rule out wool for people who don't like to wear wool sweaters!

Also, I second the recommendation to use flannel as the backing. Really helps so that the lap quilt stays in place. Also second the recommendation to permanently label the quilt in some way (embroidery probably the best) so the quilt doesn't go home with someone else.