With October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought it would be a good time to share some information in regards to chemo quilts.
I have been thinking about writing this post for a few months, ever since I created a chart for determining quilt sizes. I wanted to know first hand from someone who has been through cancer treatment on what would make a good blanket/quilt to take to chemo appointments. So without further ado, this information is brought to you by my cousin, Donna, who is in remission.
Quilt size- For adults about 44-48″ wide by 68-72″ long. You want the quilt to be large enough to tuck under their feet and go up to their neck. Chemotherapy treatments take place in a reclining chair so you do not want the quilt to be too wide or long that it touches the ground.
Quilt materials- Cancer patients are often very cold while going through treatment. Minky or cuddle fabrics would be a great backing to provide the patient with warmth and comfort. Use a quality batting, such as Warm & Natural. Any punched cotton batting will hold up well. If you want to make a fleece blanket instead of a quilt, two layers sewn together at the binding will help retain the heat and provide extra weight.
Fabric selection- You may ask the patient what their favorite colors are or favorite sports team before picking out the fabric. You should use quality fabrics so they withstand the washings.
Patterns- Since you will likely be limited on time to get a quilt done, you will probably want to go with a simple pattern. I have a board on Pinterest for quilts made with pre-cut fabrics. By pre-cut, I generally mean charm squares and layer cakes but sometimes also fat quarters. Using pre-cuts will give a nice variety of a fabric collection and will also save you lots of time cutting. Since you do not wash pre-cuts until the project is completed, you will also save time washing and ironing the fabric.
Durability- The quilts will go through many washings during treatment. It needs to be able to be washed in hot water in order for it to be sanitized. Avoid using red colors, which may bleed, or dark colors such as black and dark blue which may fade after multiple washings. Use a color catcher or dye fixative such as Retayne to keep the colors from bleeding. The quilts should be quilted with tight pattern, no more than a few inches in between. Tied quilts will likely not hold up with the multiple washings.
Cancer Ribbons- Some breast cancer patients want nothing to do with pink, pink ribbons, angels, or anything that is a reminder to them as to what they are going though. As for my cousin, the pink ribbon was a symbol of strength and hope. If you are unsure, ask the patient how they feel about it before buying the materials. Here is a long list of awareness ribbon colors and their meanings.
Personalization- Sometimes there isn’t a lot of notice before someone we know starts cancer treatment. You may want to get a quilt done quickly so that it can be gifted to the patient before treatments begin. However, if you have a little bit of time before giving the gift, you may create a memory quilt and have friends and family members sign the quilt with inspiring messages. As for my cousin’s blanket, she had it embroidered with her name. She added: “May the names woven into these fibers give you strength when you are weak, courage to face your fears and comfort when you are afraid”. Her blanket is in the hands of another cancer patient now, and will continue have more names embroidered on it.
Transporting the quilt– Having a bag that the quilt will fit in is helpful. The bag should be big enough to carry all of their supplies for a 6-ish hour treatment.
What other gifts can you make for a cancer patient?
Comfortable pillows are a nice gift. You can personalize a standard pillowcase with applique, or even make your own. I recently made a pillowcase for the All People Quilt Million Pillowcase Challenge. It was really easy to make using a “burrito” method. The fabric colors weren’t my favorite, but it was donated by the quilt shop where I made it. You can find a good selection of free pillowcase patterns here.
(Terrible picture, I know. I didn’t realize this until I got home so this was all I had.)
A pillow placed around the diagonal part of the seat belt would be helpful to cushion the port-a-cath while in the car. A port-a-cath delivers chemo directly into the main artery so the area is very tender with pressure. A seat belt pillow would also make a nice gift for someone who is having open heart surgery. There are many tutorials for seat belt pillows on Pinterest. The important thing is that the pillow protects the port or scar from chafing/rubbing from the seat belt. If you are not the sewing type, you can order completed comfort pillow online. I especially like the pillows made by BlessYourHeartPillows.com.
I found this great article that talks about 10 different types of pillows for cancer patients. The pillows range from underarm pillows, seat belt pillows, lumbar supports, and more. The types of pillows needed can vary from type of cancer treatment. For example, this diy heart shaped pillow would work nicely for someone who had a lymph node removed in the arm pit.
This wheat berry and lavender neck pillow can be heated up in the microwave to provide warmth to achy muscles. You could also make it into a smaller size to use as an eye pillow.
Warm slippers or slipper socks. If you are a knitter, my mother in law has made several patterns for socks. She made these Turkish Bed Socks as gifts for us for Christmas one year and we all love how warm they are.
Scarves and hats during fall and winter months are a must. The chemicals in chemo are notorious for causing hair loss. Knots of Love offers free crochet and knit patterns for hats and headbands to help keep the patient’s head warm.
So many people are affected by cancer each year that each of you likely knows someone who is in the midst of their battle right now. Even if you aren’t a quilter, there are gifts you can buy to help someone feel more comfortable during their treatments. According to Donna, a well stocked treatment bag will include a warm blanket or quilt, books/ebook reader, personal music player such as a phone or mp3 player, healthy snacks and drinks, a journal, a hat, warm socks or slippers, and some form of comfort pillow.
I hope this information will help you in providing comfort to someone who needs it.
Auntie Em
You’re awesome
I have been thinking about quilts for children with cancer. Pillowcases, too. I have children’s fabric just waiting for a project. Thanks for putting a fire under me to get these done.
Great idea, Emily….love you!
Love you too, Mom! I think the pillowcases is a great idea. Once the fabric was cut for that pillowcase, it really came together quickly. The quilt store recommended not using flannel for the cases though, just FYI. They said that the pillows will have to undergo the frequent hot water washings so cotton is best. I’ll keep my eyes open for good pillowcase fabric flat folds at Riley Blake.
Great information! I especially love knowing about the seatbelt padding for the portacath. Even as a nurse, that isn’t something I would have thought of!
Hello,
My first chemotherapy appointment is Wednesday, jan, 13, 2016. Quilts are one of my favorite blankets, of course due to beauty , but also because of the density and texture.
I don’t quilt myself but am wondering Is there anyone who makes these quilts for chemo or pillows that I could buy?
Any contacts would be appreciated as I begin this journey.
Kasey
Hi Kasey.
I wish I could help but my two month old isn’t letting me get a lot of sewing done these days. I do not know of anyone in particular who focuses on chemo quilts. I did a “cancer quilt” search on etsy.com and found many listings. One person in particular had inspirational sayings on her quilt (Cancer cannot take (these items) away from me, then listing some things in embroidery). The quilts were made in custom colors and measured 50″×60″. I would recommend something longer to tuck your feet in. Since it is a custom quilt listing, I’m sure you can request it to be longer, and should be the case with any custom quilter. I would also inquire about making minky as the backing fabric for extra weight and comfort. I hope this helps.
Best wishes,
Emily
Here are a couple websites that will send cancer patients hand tied fleece blankets.
Cozies4chemo.org
Yana-cancer comfort.com
Also, a cleaning service for women
Cleaningforareason.org
I’m a colorectal cancer patient and started chemo January 4, 2016 with treatments every two weeks and sent home with pump for administering chemotherapy over 46 hours.
8 made someone a quillow with a handle for carrying. They are using the empty pillow part to have tissues glasses and other small stuff in a handy place within easy reach. It is much loved.
Your advice on quilt size for chemo treatments is wonderful, exactly what I was after. After all, the thought behind making someone a quilt for their cancer treatment is one thing but unless it meets practical requirements it won’t do what you want — provide comfort when someone needs it. Thank you for asking someone who knows from experience what size is right. Thank you for sharing the information with the world.
HOW MUCH ARE YOUR QUILTS? DO YOU HAVE LAP QUILTS? DO YOU HAVE HATS/CAPS?
My name is Cindy Trull, I am 46 years old. I am currently battling Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer 2013. I had two stages 1 and 3…I had a Bilateral Mastectomy w/Reconstruction 46 Radiation Treatments and 1 year of Chemotherapy (Cyotaxin and Taxotere) remission approximately 1 year and it metastasized to the bones in 2015. I got many fractures in my spine. I had back surgery to fix the bottom half (kyphoplasty) and had 31 radiation treatments and multiple types of chemotherapy. It has spread to the Femur, Pelvic and Hip..there are also multiple fractures and bone weakness to each one. Which miraculously I have tolerable pains and walking! That is God, doing what he does. Hallelujah!! He is so merciful and is always with me! I did nothing wrong. My medical team did nothing wrong. Metastatic Breast Cancer happens… at any time… I was told from the beginning by my oncologist., whether I did chemo, radiation, had a bilateral mastectomy, ate well, took vitamins, exercised regularly, prayed, had positive thoughts, had negative thoughts, It doesn’t matter. A diagnosis of MBC means I am on treatment forever… and that is a good thing. I will stay on a treatment for as long as it works. When the cancer cell learns to outsmart the treatment drug, the treatment then fails us and we try another treatment. There is always anxiety connected with a new treatment. Will it work? What are the side effects? What happens if this treatment fails me? With God on my side holding my hand I can conquer anything. I am living longer and stronger and defying the odds! God Be The Glory! I am blessed beyond belief with doctors and staff and family friends and church and preachers. The treatments have been a blessing but things occurs when trying to fix it. I got Osteonecrosis to the jaw and have had jaw replacements and 2 jaw surgeries with self IV treatments of high antibiotics and home health and hospice care. I recently had a titanium rod put in my right hip and femur and just finished 5 radiation treatments. My doctor tried many drugs and chemotherapy drugs called Exemastane Affinity, Ibrance Adriamycin and now we are currently trying Halevan. XGEVA, Faslodex and Letrazole, Steroids, I’ve had 2 strokes in the brain, 2 small brain tumors, several echo cardiograms and angiograms, put on Plavix, currently having seizure activities, put on Keppra, Multiple Petscans, CT Scans, MRI’s, and XRAYS, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, mouth thrush, radiation burns, SEVERE NEUROPATHY, etc.
Cancer does cause many problems and great fears. My Cancer has currently spread to parts of my organs, kidney, liver, lung and now brain. My Doctors do their best, through help from God. When my doctor has seen that we had no success with the treatments, he either supplements what he has for me or go a different route entirely, this does not mean that I cannot survive Metastatic Breast. THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE, KEEPING MY FAITH AND TRUST IN GOD, HE ALWAYS STRENGTHENS ME AND TURNS IT INTO A BLESSING. To God We Give All Glory! I Am Blessed
I AM A METAvivor
The term “survivor” is often used to identify the triumph of someone who has completed cancer treatment with their lives intact. This term does not truly represent MY situation for the simple reason that I am not expected to survive in the end. Thus I have chosen to call myself a “metavivor” to indicate that yes, I am indeed alive, we and living with a metastasis that will ultimately take my life. “Still Blessed”
Cindy, I am sorry, I do not have any quilts for sale at this time.
Beautiful person , god bless you , your fight has been long you’ve suffered greatly I wish I could help you your one very grave lady
Thank you for sharing this info! My dad had Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. He battled for awhile but passed away almost 10 years ago. Recently, my mom started getting infusions every 8 weeks for her psoriatic arthritis in the oncology area of the clinic. (She was also just diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia…no treatments at this point!) The oncology area has various hats. Another person makes beautiful paper flowers in a variety of colors. Mom looks forward to selecting a new one each time or so.
I had just read a post on the portacathe pillows & feel this is a way that I can pay it forward…
Thank you again for the info!!
How about rag quilts? Made from flannel and fall into the quilt as you sew category. Soft and drapable…
Yes, rag quilts would probably be a nice option because they are heavy. And, because they are QSYG, it would come together quickly.
Thank you for the wonderful inspiration. I have been making pillowcases for years but now I have a brand new focus. From now on, all my cases go to people going through chemo. Cannot wait to get started! Again, I cannot thank you enough for my new direction.
Ibelong to a quilting group whose name is Gracie Quilts.Our sole purpose is completing quilts for patients undergoing chemo. We now supply couple quilts for the nurses to give to patients who may not have any support group to cheer them on… Others go to friends of people whom we know. It is a wonderful ministry to be a part. The group will continue for a long time even tho several of us now live several hours away.We try to get together at least monthly m
Thank you for so many great ideas.
A word about pillowcases, with a bald head many find cotton to be scratchy (I didn’t mind it), so our cancer center has satin pillowcases to give out instead.
I would like to help with the quilts or any sewing. And if there are any sewing groups in San Antonio that I can join let me know at my email
I would like some help finding a lap quilt (a quilt–not fleece,etc) for my sister in law who has just begun chemo. I’d love to find one with pockets, with a Native American design (she’s a collector)—perhaps Kokopelli. I realize this sounds picky, but just trying to find something special for her. I’m not a seamstress or quilter by a long shot! Just overwhelmed with what comes up when I Google lap quilts. Any suggestions out there?
Yes, I would try looking on etsy. http://Www.etsy.com. You can search for lap quilt or chemo quilt there.
I saw a quilt made for someone that had the word Cancer written all over it… Like Cancer can be beat, Cancer cant destroy the soul etc. I didnt think it was a great idea to have that word all over the Quilt. How about good affirmations or humor? Sayings from friends, jokes? Positive words..i believe you attract energies to you and seeing the word Cancer all over something as beautiful as a handmade quilt is Not a good idea….just sayin
I WOULD LOVE TO CROCHET A LAP BLANKET , BUT I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THE CORRECT WEIGHT OF THE YARN. I KNOW IT MUST BE HEAVY. I MYSELF ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE FEELING OF THE WEIGHT OF A BLANKET, I GET THE FEELING OF SECURITY.
ALSO, NOT SURE WHAT COLORS OR THE CORRECT SIZE.
CAN YOU LET ME KNOW?
THANK YOU !
Anne, I do not knit or crochet, so I really have no idea on weight. I imagine it could be the same size as the suggested quilt sizes above.
Thank you for sharing! About help a other family with this fight against cancer!
The quilt looks very nice and comfortable that any cancer patient would love to have it.
Thank you for continuing to share this awesome info!
HI. I have gone thru cancer treatment 2x, for two different kinds of cancer. First time was in 2012, and the next time was in 2019. I received chemo and radiation. I love what you are offering for cancer patients and agree with most have suggested. Sadly, many people go thru treatments alone, like I did. A quilt is like a big hug for someone. Another item that is really appreciated are chemo caps. When we first get our heads shaved, if you chose this, we only have about an inch of hair. Its painful for many of us in a couple of ways. Our society shows us to have beautiful hair and when you have no choice, it sure can be painful. Secondly, the reason we get it shaved is that when your hair is coming out, it is painful. So have a nice cap/hat made of a super soft material is nice on the head, the cap catches the hair and in the end, it keeps us warm throughout treatment. It needs to be durable as cancer patients will wash their caps often. No one plans on having cancer and it can be very expensive. Companies charge a lot for caps. Many cancer patients can’t continue to work or may need to work less hours. The pillow cases, quilts, quilos and items for the seat belt are all wonderful ideas. Bless you all. Thank you for thinking of others.