quilted shawl for Seniors

Quick and easy would be fleece. You could even "fringe" the edges. Get a big piece... cut in triangles... then little snips along the one corner... might dress it up a bit?

Just a thought!!

Oooohhhh!! If you REALLY want to get cute 'n' fancy, you could cut flower shapes out of scraps (mayhap from another color) and sew those on to the shawls!! Maybe use a small button for the center of the flower?

Awesome, wonderful project!! I'll have to talk to the crafty moms in our Scout Den ... our local senior center has been so generous in giving us extra space for parties 'n' such ... this might be the perfect way to say "Thank you!!"

Hugs!! Connie :)

Which do you think would fit better? The triangular one or a longer rectangle? I lean toward the rectangle...but not sure why. That IS a great idea for a charitable project. Our guild is making placements for the "Meals on Wheels" program. They will be handed out with the Christmas dinners that are delivered. I'm anxious to hear how that goes over.

Well, I've only made a few fleece shawls (can't knit to save my life, despite some amazin' teachers/friends tryin'!!) and I've always made the rectangle kind ... to me, they're more cuddly (more fabric makes ME feel good, so I can only assume that more fabric feels good to others, too!).

But that bein' said, fabric's not always in abundance, so triangles might give a bit of warmth to more chilly shoulders rather than just more warmth to a few.

I wonder what the OP's goin' to do for the menfolk in the center? I just don't really see men usin' shawls as much as women ... or am I wrong? Maybe a nice quickly made lap quilt?

Ooooh! I really hope the OP keeps us posted!!! And God Bless her for thinkin' of others when it's needed most!!

Hugs to all!! Connie :) (Again tellin' KJ to be careful on her trip!! And tellin' her that we'll be prayin' for her and that we love her!!)

I've thought about the possibilities of this for years - honestly. My conclusion about the best shape is probably nearer to a Christmas Tree skirt than anything. My best attempt at a 'pattern' was, as I say, a C.T. skirt, but with the lower edge of the fronts and the back caught together under the arms, so it almost makes sleeves. Problem with rectangles is that the bit round the neck gets cool if you have it 'down' to keep the shoulders warm; problem about the triangle is that the sides of the tops of the arms get cold while the neck part gets warm. I would say that a pieced and quilted quilt, though nice, would end up being too stiff. I would think fleece would be a much better bet - and I bet the old gentlemen would be perfectly happy to wear one, in a sort of camel shade or maroon, or dark green, brown or navy. I wouldn't suggest pink!! . In message , What Can I Say writes

Fleece.

Look for patterns for Christmas tree skirts-- circular and with a small circle cut out in the center for the head. I'm thinking of the sort with a slit so it wraps around shoulders and doesn't need to be pulled overhead. (A guildmember was showing us the Christmas tree skirt she made for a grandchild, and we all asked her to model it for us so we could see it better. It really made a fantastic shawl.)

--Lia

I agree about the rectangular one. Especially for those in wheelchairs. Trying to get a triangular one down the back could be a problem, and if it bunches up it could be very uncomfortable. Also, if you cut a width of fleece, say about 18-24 inches wide by the width of the fabric long it would cover the shoulders and part way down the back, but still keep the neck nice and comfy. You could also fold the ends, along the length of the piece, and stitch a few inches to make a "sleeve" that would hold the "shawl" in place a bit easier, and keep the arms covered too. This would still allow it to just drape over the neck/shoulders if desired.

Pati, > Which do you think would fit better? The triangular one or a longer

I think fleece might be better than quilted -- softer and perhaps more drapeable. And certainly faster to make. Check out the free patterns at Hancock Fabrics' web site for ideas.

Julia in MN

Do be really persnickedty when buying fleece for these. Some of that stuff is good enough to eat, but some is rough, pill-fuzzy and downright contrary. DOesn't have anything much to do with price, you just need to pay attention. Polly

Do you think the fleece shawl should be doubled. The sample a nurse at the home showed me was made out of cotton with some triangles in the design and a solid back. It was "L" shaped with pointed ends. I have been thinking to make it double but that might be toooooo hot. Would you use cotton or flannel on the other side. Another thought that I have is that they should have a pocket to hold a tissue. I remember my mom was always stuffing tissues everywhere. There are 44 patrons in the home and 6 of them are males. I thought that they should have one as well made with mannish fabric designs like animals or sports etc. I am so excited about this project. Lynn

I think one thickness of fleece should do it. I don't think you'd need any lining. With fleece, you have a minimum-or-no sewing project because it doesn't ravel. The pocket sounds like a good idea.

Julia > Do you think the fleece shawl should be doubled. The sample a nurse at the

I agree, one layer; because, after all, they will have clothes on underneath - even if sometimes it is only night-clothes. The pocket would be a good idea, if it isn't too much trouble; but you might like to give some thought as to whether it should be on the inside, rather than the outside. Some of the dear people might experience difficulty in finding a pocket (I'm not being mean, just realistic); and, if their hands are snuggled inside the flees, it might be easier for them to find it inside. If you do make the pocket, one each end would be a good idea I think. . In message , Julia in MN writes

Good idea, but it doesn't matter much, fleece is reversible. Roberta in D

"Patti" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@quik.clara.co.uk...

Yes I know! but the one I was thinking of would have seams, so there would be an inside and an outside; not the plain rectangle of course, but I wasn't thinking of that. Even L-shaped ones would have a seam to be economical with the fabric surely? . In message , Roberta Zollner writes

In today's mail, I just received a fleece sample along with some Christmas gifts. The fleece is just awesome. Wonder where we could get the best price on Polartec Classic? Are any of you 'world class' black-belt shoppers? Polly

So far as I have found, and with the exceptions of clearance sales and such, this is the place with the best prices on polartec.

NightMist

Their website is a little strange. I didn't see the Polartec Classic Microfleece that I was hoping for . . . but I clicked the 'swatches' section. Lo and behold. There it was. I can expect to make two baby blankets from just one yard so I'm going to give them a try. Thank you for finding them for us. Polly

I used to buy that directly from Malden Mills.