I would be happy to donate material for what ever you decide to do

Oh how I wish I could help you,live too far away but dont forget the knitters,too, many elders with poor eyesight can and do knit. Newborns always need little caps.Jo

Oh how I wish I could help you,live too far away but dont forget the knitters,too, many elders with poor eyesight can and do knit. Newborns always need little caps.Jo

BLESS YOU!!!!!!
I am curently a critical care nurse but spent many many years of my earlier career in long term care,Well to be exact from age 16 to age 36.The elders are my passion in nursing,I could go on and on but will try spare you lol.
There will be many diffrent levels of ability there . May I suggest letting those with a dementia type mindstate that may wander in and out of the activity have a box of fabric scraps they can rummage through,sort etc as they will not be able to use needles scissors ect.I used to bring things like tangled yarn and fabric scraps to occupy some of the ladies especially that used to do crafts and were no longer able to.Well I am flooded with possibilities for this kind act but I think you are getting plenty.To keep expenses down I would shop at thrift stores yard sales etc,and not be concerned with fabric type,remember some of these folks used EVERYTHING! I do have to tell a quick story of a lady that missed her sewing so much that when we discovered it we brought her scraps (that is what she requested) well the housekeepers were complaining that Nettalee was useing too many papertowels and toilet paper and was sure that any time the toilet would clog,well we soon discovered when we got gifts of potholders from nettalee what she was using for the stuffing! I still 20 years later have my pot holder and pincushion that she made very painstakenly I might add because she was nearly blind.(WE took turns supplying her with threaded needles for the day)They have a special place in my sewing room. I know I got carried away here but this topic is close to my heart and you made my day,thank you.

If you need donations post here and I am sure you will get help,I will be glad to send,it is important not to let it become a burden,also perhaps involve other family members this would be great for the grand and great grandchildren to get involved with to help thread needles cut fabric etc.

Thank you ,
Rae

The can crochet, too, but I think one project (quilting) would be enough for one person and maybe someone else can volunteer to help those who quilt or crochet.

I am making lap quilts for the homes, but due to some physical problems, I can't volunteer any more. I may call one of the homes and see how many walkers there are and make bags for walkers, too. Not sure what I'm going to do yet - or which project besides the lap quilts.

Rae - bless your heart; thank you so much for your contribution to the nursing homes.
I'd like to add that we did some aprons like with different things on them for the local nursing home.. They loved the feel of satin type fabric and would rub it all day long - so anything that would feel good to the hands works wonders. By having a corner of it attached to the apron, none will get lost.
Have you see some of them will keep hankies and just keep moving them around in their hands.

This is such a nice thing for you to do! This will really give them something to look forward to.

I also think lap quilts would be nice as they are something they can use themselves or share with others.

May God bless you for sharing your time and talent with these folks.

You might put an article in the local newspaper and ask for donations. You'd be surprised how many family members have lost a loved one and have no idea where to get rid of "?"s stash. My ASG gets loads of donated fabric. We use it for our charitable work.

This is such a wonderful idea! Warm Wishes pattern makes a nice lap quilt. Older people feel the cold more quickly, also when they are more sedentary, like watching TV, they like to be covered. I am sure you will get lots of donations if you just speak up! We all have orphans.

I say yes indeed! I'm a nurse and work at a nsg home. I think it's a great idea. Lots of those lil old ladies would love that! They need something to occupy their time and they just love the company and attention! Them are my babies!

lap quilts
wheelchair bags
wheel chair quilts
pillowcases
Christmas tree ornaments

lap quilts for everyone in the home would be a good idea.

I agree. Think how proud they would all be to sit around proudly displaying their beautiful lap quilt that they made themselves. Plus the "quick quilters" could make one for those who either can't or didn't want to quilt. Awesome idea :)

Fortunately the home is small (67 beds) and I think that helps lend a community feel for the place. But they are all the time going and doing things there, so its not like they have the lack of things to do.

I think everyone has had some really neat ideas and if possible I would love to do each and every one of them. But I think I need to start out small and maybe find out what is everyones strong points are and go from there. I think lap quilts would be awesome for them to make.

But what I would love to do myself is make every resident a twin size quilt for their bed. But the chances of me doing that and running a business along with doing the Quilting bee is slim to none. Especially by Christmas time but I can always try!

Billy

Think thats a Great thing to do, might want to consider a couple of lap size tied fleece kits for those who can no longer hold a needle, just tie up. (not quite quilting but may help others to be involved) Could also do a community Quilt for Fundraiser maybe work on once a month, or with combined blocks from the group. Have Fun!!

you could hang one of your beautiful quilts at the nursing home in the main entrance and maybe put a flyer up that you are staring quilting classes there for the patients of the nursing home and maybe visitors can help with supplies for you!

I just saw your idea, and then happened to open "My first quilt" by freezininakwkids. Look at that dear little lady! How generous of you! And how appreciated your time will be! My own mother passed away at 97 in a nursing home. Giving time and activities to those dear people is an act of angels.

What a wonderful idea. I like the idea of baby quilts for hospital donations. Makes everyone feel good! Some may like the option of making pillowcases for their grandchildren.
When talking to the elder most remember log cabins and split rail quilts; both are easy to construct

why dont you ask them what they are up to making , also you could send away for some Qiult 4 kids kits , they send you everything except the batting and the binding maybe that would be a start then before you send them back to quilts 4 kids take there picture with the quilt they did and once they reach quilts 4 kids you can register the quilt and upload a picture of them with the quilt on there site and it will be posted on downey site along with there story behind the quilt

Billy, what a wonderful thing to do. You will probably learn so much. My Grandma was so full of quilt lore, my favorite one was if you got blood on your quilt you had to throw it over the house to keep the bad spirits away from the quilt. She also knew a lot of ways to make the piecing easier. But, she never would chain piece, she made all her blocks one at a time. Good luck and remember to enjoy yourself.

Ditto. I think the walker bags would be fairly easy and used alot.

Good for you, Billy...I think the idea of lap quilts would be terrific. Small projects would be the thing. Some of the residents may not have the concentration they used to have.

That is awesome, I hope I'm still in good enough shape to do that when I retire and have some time. God Bless You!

That is awesome, I hope I'm still in good enough shape to do that when I retire and have some time. God Bless You!

What a wonderful idea. I love the idea of the walker bag. How about making a bag for the arms of the chairs they sit in? They could put their comb, scissors, fingernail file, extra glasses, anything they want to keep close so they don't have to get up all of the time. It was a really big help to my mother.

There has previously been a group/groups that make pillowcases for deployed soldiers. Can't recall their name. Although it isn't quilting, the residents might enjoy that project and it would be easy enough for beginners.

What a wonderful community service you are providing. Lap size quilts are not a lot more expensive than baby quilts, and there will no doubt be residents there that will appreciate them. You may want to branch out from there, but that would be a good place to start. Or those nice walker bags.

This is a wonderful idea. I would also suggest picking patterns that would not require any seams to match, points, etc. Although my 89-year-old MIL can out quilt most of us, she is still handquilting pieced tops but not all older women/men are as lucky. You might want to think about tying some quilts as well. A couple of electric sewing machines would really be beneficial. Treadle machines are nice my MIL speaks fondly of her mother using one but would not want one for herself. After having both knees replaced she does not have the ability to work on one.

hi I;m a hairdresser in a home. we tried quilting, I found mostly the ladies had a hard time with this, they truely enjoyed the fabric and the colors and the conversation, but this is a nursing home and rehab center so we have all kinds good luck

I am only in my early 40's :lol: :lol: :lol:

Billy

I did a similar project for a few years. We don't do it any more as all of the original group are deceased and the 'newbies' are more debilitated or uninterested. However, the climate may change again. What we did do as a beginning project was to make quilted caddies for their Zimmer frames, wheelchairs, walkers etc. I t was as simple as one large quilted block with some simple pockets and ties to keep it on the frames. The different colours and designs also assisted in the clients being able to recognise who owned each 'vehicle'. We then did seat cushions and totes and table - runners.The last two projects were group efforts to make quilts. One of the quilts was raffled to raise money for the 'social committee' to buy more fabric. The other one was donated to a local palliative care hospital.Good luck with your venture, I'm sure you will enjoy.

I think lap quilts for them selves first, so they are making something for them self first. I was a certified nurse aid for many years before I went back to school, as a matter of fact, my paitents were at my wedding, and the ones that had there lap quilts, displayed them proudly at the foot of there beds, when they were not using them. This is such a wonderful thing you are doing, They need to be able to do things like this more often, and they will love doing it, do not be disapointed if you only get a couple at first, it takes some of them time to warm up to changes. God bless you for doing this, it will be a learning experiance for you, but it will be the world to them. Penny

OH!
I wish I lived closer to you! I would join you and help!
I started a sewing group at the local nursing home. Mostly, what I did was sit and sew and they just sat and watched me.
Thankfully, I have the gift of gab, and we just chatted and learned how to all get along.
Interesting thing! When Katrina hit, the residents were really upset about those folks down there needing help, and they wanted to do something.
About the time they were wanting to do something, I had listened to the radio and someone was going down with daily needs items.
Long story short! We made up 25 totes, joined with the American Legion Auxiliary to get daily needs items gathered, found a veterans home in Mississippi that needed some help ... and, spent most of one day, stuffing bags with supplies.
but, the thing that was so amazing to me was: They wanted to DO something. They cared!
that is when I realized - - quality people never lose the desire to be needed and to help ... it is as natural as breathing to most of us and doesn't stop even though our bodies don't operate the way it used to.
Old people seem to be happier doing something for someone else than to be thinking about themselves.
There is the occasional "selfish" oldster, and when you observe them very long - - you begin to understand why they seem a bit lonely.
The most important thing, however, was the conversation and the idea that someone from "outside" would come in and talk to them, spend time with them ... I learned so much. <wave>
I will be anxious to read what all you have done. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Omak that makes me want to do this even more!! I am still working the logistics out with the director and the OT but it looks like I have the go ahead for sometime next month! The main thin I want to do is learn what these ladies know about quilting and the history behind their quilts and the type of fabrics/patterns used and to let them know that this "Young Gun" wants to carry on their stories and memories and pass them on to all of us.

Billy

You will find the stories coming out over time. Memories are an interesting phenomenon and pop out at the oddest times. We just have to be ready to respond when they get to it. <wave>

thanks so much for thinking of the people who live in the home. even the federal regulations for nursing homes encourage everyone to concentrate on quality of life and make any "activities" fit the need and wants of the residents. it sounds to me like you will be making a wonderful contribution. i am sure you will end up feeling like you are getting back even more than you give.

:-) good you ,I worked in a care center for years and I can tell you this. you'll need lost of help, So get your wife and her quilting quild or church ladies to help. I 'am sure all will enjoy your project- but remember eldery people need extra help. also you should cut all blocks before because their hands don't work like they used to. Good luck jewell in your crown for this one.

God bless you for wanting to do this. I am so glad you found such a great place for your FIL.

My grandmother was in a nursing home for 10 years and she pieced quilts by hand until about 2 months before she passed. She lived to be 2 months past her 100th birthday. The activities director would cut out quilt pieces and bring them to Granny's room. She pieced them so fast, they couldn't keep up with her. She pieced several for me while she was there. I, also, would buy the fabric, cut the squares and she pieced them. It thrilled her to be able to do something.

Also, at another nursing home where a friend was, they had a quilting frame set up in a separate room and the residents would go and quilt whenever they wanted to. My friend was a gentleman and every time we visited he was bragging about their quilts. Of course, this would depend on how many people could do this or how much space you had to work in.

Lap quilts would be great or a potholder or some small item as the residents love to have something to give their family when they visit or something they can display in their room. They feel so proud to show off what they make.

This also will help the resident to come out of their rooms and interact with other residents and gives them a sense of accomplishment.

Keep us posted.

Hey Billy, whatever happened with this?

It is still in the works, I have been so indated with work I havent been able to get a free day to go to the home and talk to the lady and iron out the final details. My wife goes and sees Paw Paw all the time but I am stuck in the studio working.

Hopefully in the next couple of weeks when I get over all of this Bronchitis I can get out there and get it started.

Billy