retired2pa

I found out recently that my brother-in-law is in a wheelchair because he has dementia and falls a lot. He was in the Navy right out of high school many years ago and I thought I'd make him a lap quilt. I found a panel on Missouri Quilt that I'm sure he'd like. It measures 24"x44". Is this panel too long? I know I can make it wider but I think if I cut some of the length off it will interfere with the design on the panel. Any suggestions?

https://www.missouriquiltco.com/prod...B8NbCAZ04ZrubG

eparys

What I might do is eliminate some of the middle by cutting off the bottom and sliding it up (something like attached image). Bring the bottom of the "frame" up to maybe the chest. That way you get the "whole" sense of the panel but not the whole service member.

Most of those quilts are 30 to 36 by 48 (ish).

Edited to add - if it is still too long you could eliminate the Navy Banner at the top to help adjust the length

Lady Diana

Just take the banner. Off the top,,that way, the Navy will show at the bottom.
he may fold the top over anyway. Lovely pmanel, good choice.

cathyvv

My suggestion:

Use the full length of the panel. When it is quilted and bound, turn the top under enough to make a 'sleeve' that he can put his hands in when his hands are cold.

bkay

I made one of those "Lovie Lap quilts" (you can see them on a search engine). The guild, at the time, was talking about making wheelchair quilts. The plan was to make one and take it to the nursing home down the street and see how it worked. It was really cute, but it was too small.

The finished size was 32 x 39. It was too short and too narrow. The nurse suggested that it come up higher and make it a little bit longer. It's a cute pattern. It fits women pretty well, but would never work for a large woman or a man.

The things I liked about the pattern was the flannel lined hand pocket and the extra pocket on the outside of the hand pocket that could hold your phone.

One other thing I learned was to use flannel (or minky) as a backing so the quilt doesn't slip.

bk

aashley333

I made Mom a hug quilt. It tapers down so as to not get caught in the wheels. Used it as a lap quilt.

michelem

I do a lot of wheelchair quilts for a group in South Carolina. They prefer 32-38 x 40-42.