I have completed my first Chemo Turban from the pattern supplied by user: pgthom. Here are the pictures. Keep in mind that a person's head will be rounder than the styrofoam model, and thus will not drape as far over the eyes. But this give you an idea. And I did not have a suitable pin for the front tab, but will be adding bling whenever possible before donating. I bought six more fabrics to make more, and will continue to find what I think will be cute patterned fabric. I tried it on - very soft, comfy, and I would not mind wearing it on a bad hair day. Hope you like it. OHHHHH - and what would be nice would be to custom design for the person in need - using one of their t-shirts or themes, etc.

nice job

Very nice! :thumbup:

Very stylish...I think the patterns are lovely, plains would look good too. I think it's a fantastic idea...people really need to feel good about their appearance, 'specially when they are ill.

Can you share the pattern?

Great job!

I don't mind doing so, but the credit goes to pgthom. Simply search on pgthom and send her a PM. If you can't locate it, send me a PM and I will pass along her pattern. It's for a worthy cause, and I don't think she would mind. It is 3 pages, but very easy and quick.

Thanks. The place I got the fabric does not have much in the way of t-shirt knits, and nothing in solid colors, and a lot of truly ugly patterns. I grabbed most of what looked relatively good. Will go to a larger store soon to get some really nice things and some solids. Want to make the tab contrasting in some of them. Take care. Nice to hear from you.

Very Pretty and a very wonderful,sweet thing to do!!
:mrgreen: :thumbup:

SharonAnne, how lovely. I have the pattern but have not tried it yet. You did a fantastic job!

very nice..

Great job!

I think they'd be nice in a terry cloth too. Anything is better than a plastic shower cap!

Great job Sharon. It looks great. I need to get started on mine.

Thanks for doing this..I'm a breast cancer survivor & can tell you that during my chemo the worst part was dealing with a bald head. So I'll offer a few suggestions if you don't mind. This pattern is great because it gives you a little fullness. I had a couple that fit close to the head & I just looked like I had painted color on my bald head.I could never find any that looked cheerful. Pastel colors are good as they keep you from looking so pale & sickly. I had a black one & always felt like I looked like it was going to be my last day so I never wore it. My favorite that I wore to bed was made from a knit that was satin on the outside & sort of flannel on the inside and it wouldn't get stuck on the pillowcase...yes, I wore it to bed because my head would get cold at night. Thanks again for doing this...you are going to add some cheer to someone who needs it!!

Sharonanne, what a wonderful thing you're doing. You have a huge heart :)

I loved your work ,colors .Thanks 4 sharing & your details.

Very nice, they will be appreciated I am sure.

Thank you. I absolutely do NOT mind any suggestions and constructive criticisms of any kind. I am new to sewing/quilting after a 30+ year hiatus and any help is welcomed. This is the first time I have sewn on stretchy fabric, also. Quite an interesting challenge, but I think I got the hang of it now. What a great idea with the satin on the outside for nighttime use. I will try it. My daughter will be graduating from Nursing School in December and has a good outlet for these turbans, so I know they are going to help make deserving people feel a bit better. What do you think of doing a large size for men, or do you think they don't mind being bald?

Awesome :thumbup:

My husband is bald from nature , not cancer. He found it interesting & a little humorous that I was finding out all of these "problems" with being bald that he had lived with for sometime. The only time I cried during cancer was when my hair fell out & I said, nobody knows what it feels like to be bald & then I looked at him & we both started laughing. But I would say that men who were not bald prior to cancer would like to sleep in a cap...maybe something like camo or footballish..I guess I just mean masculine..or who knows they might like a pretty pink one. One other thing, especially since you have such a great outlet for these, I received a little pillow to use in the car to put cushion the breast incision from the seat belt. The woman who made it had put a little typewritten note in with it with a prayer on it. That just made it so personal & special to me. Just a short prayer or scripture or even a thought or good wishes might be nice. Hope these help. Thanks again for doing this. PS I face knits with great fear & trepidation...give me 100% cotton but thank God for those who do this.

I don't think men mind being bald but I notice some do like tying 'rags' on their heads. With a guy you never know why they are bald - is it natural, are they ill, or do they just shave their heads because they like it.

I have a friend who has always kept her hair 'buzzed' for as long as I've known her just because she likes it that way. She hates futzing with hair. It looks very striking and attractive on her.

My ex-SIL's wife just had a mastectomy and is going through chemo right now. Before she had surgery he had his thick head of dk. brown shaved so they would be a 'pair'. I think that was so nice of him. She has lost all her beautiful blond hair and I would like to make some of these for her.

Thank you, I will send her a PM.

Most knits are quite forgiving

One can even "get by" with just a straight stitch machine.

The "trick/secret" is to use a longer stitch and stretch the fabric while sewing it. So when the fabric is relaxed there is some give in the stitching.

You did a a beautiful job. Looks very dressy and the recipient will be so happy to have something lovely to wear! God Bless You.

I recently saw a teenager in Walmart restroom that was totally bald, It was pouring down rain outside and her and her friend were laughing about how easy she had it she could just wipe her head off with a paper towel! She looked very happy and upbeat, I actually thought she looked very good. There are days bald would be a good thing, But Cancer not so good. Prayers for all who suffer this terrible disease. What a nice thing for you to do. My co-workers daughter had Alopecia (SP) and was totally bald, She had a wig but hated it. She wears little crocheted hats.

Thanks for the tip, bearisgray!!! I have about stood on my head to get this seam to be straight. Now I "get it".... Next one will be much easier.

Nice story. I just want to give back. I know soooo many people who have or had Cancer. They are fighters and deserve to feel better about themselves. I know I would appreciate this if I were in the patients' places. My dad passed away from Cancer (but was naturally bald long before that). These are very soft - I have heard many complaints about wigs being hot and itchy. Let's hope these are well liked.

If you stretch the knit fabric and use tiny little stitches - it won't relax back into shape and stays stretched - practice on some scraps - some knits have LOOOOTS of stretch - some have hardly any - many knits stretch in one direction, but not the other - each type has its own characteristics. Some knits don't even stretch. Handle them like a woven.

I know I say "practice on scraps" a lot - for me, it's the easiest way to see how something will behave - and I can toss a scrap and not unsew it if I don't like what I did.

You are a sweetie! The turban is wonderful! I've seen people with hair wearing them too!
Keep up the good work! :thumbup: :thumbup: :-D

I have the pattern too, but so far have not been able to get to the store for some knit fabric. I was wondering about flannel??? What do you think??

Wow, great job. Someone is going to be so happy to get that.

I am a 12 year breast cancer survivor. In all of my Dr. offices and chemo "room" they had baskets of scarves, etc. that we could have. They were not like these turbans - but more of a lined bandana that fastened in the back. Very nice also. I picked two bright colored ones and wore them at home when I needed to but wore a very scratchy wig when I had to go to school for my then 12-yr old daughter. These look VERY comfortable and useful. What a wonderful thing that you are doing.

What kind of fabric do you use?

Hi SharonAnne, your turban is wonderful. Our club is making the triangular ones.

Please, please do a tute so that those of us who would like to help will be able to make a difference like you have done.

Thanks for your consideration.

I think it is very pretty and looks like you are doing a great job making them. It is a great thing you are doing.

What a good heart you have!

As another cancer survivor, I would also like to add that softness on the inside is essential. When the hair started to grow back, my head felt like the hairs were sticking from the outside in, and my head felt prickly when anything touched it.
God bless you for what you are doing.

Cool, very nice thing to do.

Here are more turbans and fabrics. I have made 14 so far. Some are made of t-shirt knits, some of stretchy velour, some of lightly stretchy soft terry cloth, and I have a new fabric I just bought still to make that is a stretch satin, so it can be worn at night and will "slide" on the pillow, and will keep bare heads warm. Hope you all like them. I got this pattern from another user. Not sure of the protocol for posting a tutorial when this is not my design or original post. I will contact her and ask. Fabric is from Beverly's, JoAnn's, and Hancock, but will also get some online.