I’ve seen oodles of websites offering suggestions regarding
sewing for children. No need to go there, it’s fully covered. The market is
saturated. It is my mission to comprise a list of Sewing for Seniors, items for
people years older. With Seniors, the elderly, the Age-Wise generation in mind, I asked myself the questions:
What could I create that complements their active lifestyle?
What could I create to make life easier?
What could I make that is more comfortable?
What could I design to provide privacy?
What could I make while Sewing for Seniors?
When I set my mind to this mission, the list grew and grew.
With your help, I’m sure it will grow even more!
Neck Pillows
“C” (Like a travel pillow) and “Bone" or "Bow-Tie” shaped
neck pillows
in a variety of fabrics and colors.
I found this nice Bow-Tie shaped free pattern at Sew4Home.
And, a travel pillow pattern at The Cottage Mama.
Pillowcases
Made using satin
polyester for easy maneuvering against bedding,
satin pillowcases
are perfect for keeping the hairstyle nice between salon visits!
Lap quilts
45” x 60” minimum
size
 |
| Ready to quilt! |
Knee Rug
(I’ll use fleece
rather than wool)
38” x 46” average
size
Hats
Hats are great for sun protection as
well as for warmth.
Any I shared in the Sewing Hats article would work nicely, too!
Phone Pocket Necklace
I’ve noticed telephones
have a tendency to fall out of pockets,
they slip down
between seat cushions,
then they are not “missed”
until one walks into another room
and the phone starts
ringing, or worse, a phone is needed.
I need to create
something like this very soon!
Shoulder capes
Elegant yet
functional, shoulder capes are easy to wear
while sitting underneath drafty
vents
watching television, playing Bridge or Uno, or dozing in the easy chair.
A while back, I quickly
created one for my mother using fleece.
Shawl
A shawl is similar to
a shoulder cape, but a bit more versatile.
Depending on the
fabric and style, a shawl would work nicely for a man, too!
No Sew Fleece Neck Wrap
Oh, I hate the drafty
draft that comes down the back of my neck.
This is something I “fixed” for my
daddy… it was so quick and easy, too!
I cut a long (60”)
narrow (12”) piece of dark brown (his favorite color) fleece
and that was it!
Fleece is lightweight yet warm!!!
Then I showed him how
to wear it without having to tie a knot!
This website calls it
a European Loop
Fold in half, matching
cut ends together, forming a loop at opposite end.
Place around neck and
thread both cut ends through the loop,
tighten as desired.
Arm sleeves
My daddy always
complained about his arms – from wrists to elbows –
being cold / chilled so I
created “sleeves” out of fleece.
Tapered at the wrist, the seam was on the
outside
so not to rub or bother his thinning skin.
I so wish I had a
picture of him wearing his sleeves…
Wearable Napkins
Originally designed
and created for my mother while spending time in a rehab center,
the wearable napkin functions like an adult bib.
But, for something my
lovely momma wears, even at home,
I will never refer to
it as a bib!
I have several
patterns in my stash for walker bags,
but when I went to make one for my
mother,
I didn’t like the way they looked so I created my own style.
She loves it, too!
Shopping bags
(13"H x
12"-17"W x 6"-8"D is the size of a standard grocery bag)
Don’t we all have
enough plastic already?
I read somewhere,
over the life of one fabric shopping bag
hundreds of plastic
ones will become obsolete!
I hate to think of
the loss of marine life
and the tackiness of
our beaches
if we don’t put a
STOP to using plastic shopping bags!
Personal Accessory Bags
I haven’t yet
designed this, but is on the top of my to-do list –
I want to create a
flap over bag to keep in the bathroom, next to the toilet.
A discreet storage
for daily personal needs, and a great use for those monthly needs, too!
It must be at least
11” long, 6” wide, and 8” tall – I’m working on it!
Cane covers
In June, a friend of mine brought her cane to
show me at our annual slumber party.
She had thought of
me, thinking it would be a cool item for me to create.
It was SO cute
covered in fabric up to the handle. I had never seen this before!
(I since have gone on a search and found bunches! Guess I need to "get out" more!)
Wouldn’t this be
lovely in a leopard print?!?!
Or, coordinating with
the different seasons or holidays?!?!
I will be making this
for momma’s cane when I get back to the studio!
She is my beta tester!
NOTE: I’m a “baby boomer” (born between 1946 and 1964). When
I began this mission I had in mind my parent’s generation. I realize now many
items on my list would also work fabulously for other generations!
What else could I make? Please help me with suggestions!
