Wistaria's Patient Comfort Station was contacted by a local organization that distributes packages of comfort items to oncology offices for their patients. In particular, they needed rice pillows and port pals, so our crew got to work and was able to supply approximately 50 of each in February and March. We are so blessed to be able to be of assistance to these patients as they battle such a devasting illness.
A Welcome Donation
Our local animal shelter in Turlock was very grateful to receive 46 pet pillows made by the members of Wistaria's Patient Comfort Station. They required that the pillows' filling not cause a choking hazard for the animals ... no worries, we use unwanted scraps of material for this purpose.
PATIENT COMFORT
STEPPED UP TO HELP PETS IN NEED GET DOPTED DURING WINTER THROUGH FRIENDS OF TURLOCK
In support of the Order of the Eastern Star's General Grand Chapter, designating Service Canines as one of its identifying charities, Wistaria Chapter generously donated monies to their Paws for Purple Hearts and Dogs4Diabetics projects.
While these projects are nationwide, at home we chose to connect with a shelter in Turlock which provides pets for our neighbors who are in need of comfort and companionship. How wonderful it was to find another organization that is "Paying Goodness Forward." As requested, our members created and donated 40 pet pillows to Friends of Turlock during this very cold winter season. The pillows' stuffing is made from shredded material that cannot be used in our other Patient Comfort projects, so they are machine washable. An unexpected benefit to new pet owners!
Family and friends are invited and welcome to attend
We have supplied patterns for various items at the end of this section
Meal aprons assist adults living in local care facilities as well as children who use wheelchairs
Comfort Pillows
Comfort pillows are given to local First Responders to distribute to children in stressful situations.
Rice pillows, once heated in a microwave and applied to a patient's arm, allow caregivers who need to draw blood the ability to make veins more accessible
Fidget quilts are designed to engage children with stress disorders such as autism or ADHD and adults living with dementia or Alzheimer's or who are under hospice care
Port Pals
Port Pals help prevent damage by seat belt straps to implanted ports
Pillows, Hats, Scarves & Lap Quilts
Mastectomy pillows, hats, scarves, and lap quilts offer comfort to individuals undergoing chemotherapy and dialysis treatments
Paying Goodness Forward Blesses Wistaria & the Recipients of our Efforts
Dog Pillows
These comfort items are made for a local pet adoption agency and are filled with all of the scraps of our Patient Comfort Station's unused fabric ... waste not, want not.
WISTARIA RICE PILLOW & PILLOW CASE
A pillow is warmed in a microwave, placed into a pillow case,
and applied onto a patient’s arm to make their
veins become more easily accessible to
caregivers needing to draw blood
PILLOW
Cut fabric into a 10” x 10” square
Fold over fabric 1/2” with pattern on outside, press, and pin
Turn fabric so pattern is on inside
Sew 5/8” seam on both of the unfinished edges without pins
Clip corners of smallest unfinished edge without pins
Turn pillow so pattern is on outside
Turn corners and remove pins
Fill bag with 2 cups of rice
Sew the pressed edge closed with 1/4” seam
PILLOW CASE
Cut fabric into an 11” x 11” square
Fold over fabric 1/2” with pattern on outside and press
Sew 1/4” seam on the fold over fabric
Turn fabric so pattern is on inside
Sew 5/8” seam on both of the unfinished edges
Clip corners of smallest unfinished edge
Turn pillowcase so pattern is on outside
Turn corners
Iron on Eastern Star Label
SUGGESTIONS
Use the same fabric for the pillow and pillow case
Use different dimensions for creating customized pain relief pillows
FIDGET QUILT – 4 SQUARES
Used for Adult’s Quilts
Create 4 each 6 ½” finished squares
Cut 1 each 18” X 18” backing
Cut 1 each 18” X 18” batting
Cut 2 each 3 ½” X 12” side strips
Cut 2 each 3 ½” X 18” top and bottom strips
Sew squares together with 2 on top and 2 on bottom to form a square of 4.
Sew one side strip to each side, and then sew one top and one bottom strip to squares.
Place backing face up on table and place squares face down on backing.
Place batting on top of squares.
Pin all 3 layers together and sew around edge ½” seam, leaving 2” opening to turn.
Turn to right side, pin opening, and hand sew to close.
Stitch in the ditch around the edge of 4 squares, then between all 4 squares, being sure to place a tag at the bottom of the quilt.
FIDGET QUILT – 9 BLOCKS
Used for Children’s Quilts
Cut 9 each 6 ½” x 6 ½” cotton fabric squares
Cut 1 each 18” X 18” flannel fabric backing
Cut 1 each 18” X 18” quilting batting
Sew 9 squares together with ½” seam to create quilt top (3 squares across X 3 squares down)
Place flannel backing with pattern face up, place assembled quilt top with pattern face down on top of backing, and place batting on top of back side of quilt top. Place Eastern Star tag on bottom inside between backing and quilt top, ends on edge.
Sew ¼” to ½” around edge, leaving about 3-to-4-inch opening at bottom.
Trim and turn right side out, pushing out corners. Use clips to secure all edges then sew in the ditch between each square. Hand sew opening closed.
FIDGET QUILT – RECTANGLE
Used for Hospice Quilts
Cut 1 each 13” X 20” cotton fabric rectangle
Cut 2 each 3 ½” X 13” cotton fabric or flannel fabric borders
Cut 2 each 3 ½” X 26” cotton fabric or flannel fabric borders
Cut 1 each 18” X 24” flannel backing
Cut 1 each 18” X 24” quilting batting
Sew rectangle together with 4 borders with ½” seam to create quilt top
Place flannel backing with pattern face up, place assembled quilt top with pattern face down on top of backing, and place batting on top of back side of quilt top. Place Eastern Star tag on bottom inside between backing and quilt top, ends on edge.
Sew ¼” to ½” around edge, leaving about 3-to-4-inch opening at bottom.
Turn right side out, pushing out corners. Use clips to secure all edges then sew in the ditch around border (additional stitching is at your discretion). Hand sew opening closed.
FIDGET QUILT SUGGESTIONS
(REMEMBER TO KEEP CLEAR THE ½ INCH SEAM ALLOWANCES ON EDGES)
KATHY CAP
Cut fabric into shape of homeplate - 21¼" bottom X 12½” sides x 15” tips
Cut batting 18” x 3½”
Cut ¼” elastic into 7” strip
Make ¼” hem on edges (A to B and A to C)
Fold in Point A about 1½”, fold label in half, place under tip, and sew through tip to secure to material
Sew ½" from fold to make casing
Turn under ½” on F-G and press
Fold up dotted line E-D (approximately 4½”) and press
Place batting inside of the E-D fold, pin or baste, and turn to inside (this will make a finished 4” hem (batting should not extend clear across as casing for elastic will be made at sides)
Stitch folded portion of cap close to edge nearest E-D, and 3 more times 1” apart and parallel to the E-D line
Make a ¾” casing from E to C and from D to B, ½" wide finished
Thread elastic strip through the E to C, tip, and D to B casings
Fasten strip by sew to cap
NOTES
5/8 yard of material will make 2 Kathy caps
HEART, ANGEL & TEDDY BEAR COMFORT PILLOW
Cut 2 pieces of fleece fabric into shape of pattern
Fold label in half and baste to right side of one shape
With right sides together sew ½” seam leaving opening at bottom for adding stuffing
Notch all curves
Turn right side out
Expand seams of shape using a point turner
Stuff with washable fiber fill
Blind stitch (slip stitch) the opening close
MASTECTOMY PILLOW
Cut 2 pieces of fabric into 8½” x 12½” rectangles
Fold label in half and baste to right side of one shape
With right sides together sew ½” seam leaving opening at bottom for adding stuffing
Notch all curves
Turn right side out
Expand seams of shape using a point turner
Stuff with washable fiber fill
Blind stitch (slip stitch) the opening close Fold label in half and sew at edge on top of 1 piece
