Penny Ten Pas is the chairperson for this project

Started in 2021 as a service project to provide wheelchair lap quilts to area nursing homes, we have now expanded to also including bed topping quilts which can be from 42" X 54" up to 50" X 80".  

The larger quilts will be used by nursing homes as a welcoming quilt and will be used on top of their bed for decoration, and to cover them when they take a nap during the day, or for additional warmth when resting or sleeping. 

79 quilts of Thanks were delivered to Meadowview, Morningside, Sheboygan Progressive, Sunny Ridge and Sheboygan Health Services. Everyone was very grateful for your efforts. Sheboygan Health Services is using

some of the quilts for wall hangings to brighten the hallways.

We can no longer accept knitted/crocheted items, as these items do not survive the many washings that are required.

As of November 2025, we have donated a total of 443 Quilts of Thanks.

Quilts at nursing homes are washed often using industrial machines. Because of this we recommend machine binding the quilts.  A SCQG label should be added to the back of the quilt.  It can have your initials, first name, first and last name, the guild’s name, a personal message, i.e. “Handmade for you”.  These labels can be found in our library at Ebenezer Church.

Finished, clean quilts may be dropped off at any of the in-person SCQG meetings.  The quilts will be dropped off at the area nursing homes in the first few weeks of November.

Quilt inspiration can be found at https://maryquilts.com/  the bottom right column lists hundreds of block and quilt patterns.  Consider finding a block(s) you haven’t pieced before and put together in a sampler quilt.  You may add borders and sashing to the quilts in order to reach the recommended sizes.  The charity quilts are a perfect way for you to improve your skills in piecing accuracy, binding and quilting.  

Please, refrain from using embellishments that can easily fall off during heavy use or washing/drying.

Many people are using flannel for the batting as well as for the backing.  There are people that just want something to cover them, and some that are using for warmth. 

The possibilities really are endless:

• Log Cabin Blocks, or possibly widen the size of the strips to 3-4” and make one very large log cabin

• 9 patch checkerboard with Solid block in between

• Half Square Triangles

• Panel with borders to make up the finished size requirements

• Quilt as you Go

• Rectangles with sashing in between

• Sampler Quilt Blocks

• A totally scrappy quilt, a sports theme, floral, plaid….many options, you just have to commit to one!  (or more!)

You get the idea.

A few websites below that may help you gain some other ideas.  Keep in mind, not all of the quilts pictured are sized for wheel chair lap quilts, but you can just make them with fewer blocks.

https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/quilt.../quick-easy-quilts

https://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/25-free.../

https://sarahmaker.com/quilt-patterns-for-beginners/

***Keep in mind that "free" pattern sites are usually filled with advertisements.  Be careful of clicking on links.  The intention of listing the sites above are to give you some ideas of block combinations, styles, and colors.  SCQG is not responsible for time spent going down bunny holes....but sometimes it does make it fun.