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I wish I could help you. It sounds fantastic. I'm an RN and love working with the elderly. They deserve so much at this stage in their lives. They've mostly lost a lot, having lived a long life. And of course you know I was sorta joking about you and Eddie. Sorta :D
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Billy, what a wonderful thing you are going to do!!!!
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Our quilting club makes lap quilts for the veterans hospital patients. They really enjoy seeing us come with the new quilts at Christmas. You might want to check with the director to see how the quilts will be cleaned. I know we have to make sure the quilts are machine quilted and the bindings also have to be machine sewed because they are washed so much. A suggestion I have on the quilts is: If some can't use a needle to quilt the quilt they can tie it with crochet thread. Another thing if they really get into making these quilts is to donate them to a family that might have been burned out. Our club does this also. I made at least 25 long bibs for a local nursing home last year which is something they really need. Hope to make more this year.
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Lap quilts, walker bags, wall hangings all come to mind :D
Bless you for taking this and and brightening/enriching the lives of so many :D:D:D |
Gold Star for Billy! Wow, I hope someone does this for me when I'm in a home! Or they let me bring my machine with me.
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Billy: I wonder if you would be able to publicly ask for donations to help pay for the fabric. Maybe you could put an article in the local newspaper about what you are doing.
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Originally Posted by Dodee
Billy: I wonder if you would be able to publicly ask for donations to help pay for the fabric. Maybe you could put an article in the local newspaper about what you are doing.
Looks like the lap quilts are winning out the race of thongs for them to make. And it would be something that they could enjoy and use for themselves. Although they do have twin sized beds I was thinking that maybe I could go up to a twin size quilt. Billy |
I think this is a terrific idea! I know you'll get many wonderful ideas from other board members. Here are a few thoughts from the years I taught Adult Basic Education in adult congregate living facilities. The best advice I can give you is spend time getting to know the residents and let their interests and abilities guide you. Be flexible and remember why you're doing this. Consider bringing some electric machines in addition to the treadles. The treadle machines will probably elicit many valuable and entertaining memories, but the residents may not have the physical abilities to operate them (i.e. poor eyesight and insufficient leg strength). Use bright colors, simple designs and lots of contrast. Keep the pieces big and the projects small and manageable. Consider a group project that depends on the contributions of many. (We once made a fabulous mural of a Chinese dragon after I enlarged an outline picture from a Chinese menu and the residents made a gazillion small balls of wadded up crepe paper and pasted them on. It was gorgeous and they were so proud of it!) Include non-sewers. Residents that can't sew can contribute opinions about color and fabric combinations and share valuable memories. I’m so glad you’ve decided to do this! It will be a blessing for them and for you! You will be amazed by what you learn from them and it will be wonderful to stay close to Paw Paw!
Originally Posted by Lostn51
Okay everyone pretty much knows that we had to put my FIL in a nursing home a few weeks ago. Well this place is in a small town and feels more like your grandmas home than what it really is. The place is full of love and caring folks and everyone just love living there including my FIL.
I was talking to the director and was asking if they have a quilting bee per se but they do not. Then my wife suggested that I start one for them and the director thought it was a brilliant idea. SO I am going to bring a couple of my treadles up there (Lord knows I have plenty) and I am going to work with the ladies and men who want to participate in it. Now there is the thing that I am having a difficult time with......what are we going to make. Now I know there are ladies up there that know so much about quilting and I am really looking forward to learning from them and I am also looking forward to seeing them use my treadles and bring back wonderful memories. :) Other than this group I have never been in a quilting group much less taken a class a day in my life. I am like Eddie I just looked at a quilt one day and said "it cant be that hard" and there I go!! So how would you guys handle something like this? I am not sure how many ladies will be participating but I plan on buying all of the materials and supplies and I am looking forward to reliving the good old days. This will also give me a chance to have an active role in the home and I can see Paw Paw more often than just once or twice a week. ;) Billy |
One more thought: many older people use walkers and walker bags to help transport belongings while using the walker are very popular!
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Originally Posted by purplemem
I was a chaplain at a retirement center (chaplains do many things), and we made lap quilts. I like the idea of baby quilts. Some of your quilters will be well experienced and some will just be starting. The treadles will help with memory association. So would material of different textures. Maybe mix squares of minkee with regular cotton, or make flannel quilts? The men might like making "rugged" quilts of flannel shirts, plaids, etc.
Are you thinking of placing a frame and a quilt that needs quilting in the room? That would be a great community conversation/friendship starter. If you get those stab/stitch double needles that just go up and down it should be better on arthritic hands. I love the idea of taking your treadles to the nursing home. What memories that would invoke! Keep us posted on your progress. |
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