Hi everyone. Asking for help or suggestions on altering dusters into adaptive clothing. Mom was bed ridden for over a year and I slit the back of jumpers and dusters, hemmed edges, tied the top, and she had nice clothes for any occasion. Jumpers were best since her top could be kept on for warmth through day to night changes.
The wonderful silky print "muumuus" with pockets will be great during (hopefully) recovery and the unbelievable number of prints was a surprise (Amerimark). But she can't wear them in facility because the backs do not open. So I ordered a load of woven fabric dusters and house coats to alter. My order from Woman Within was placed two weeks ago, not shipped yet, and they won't allow cancellation. So I will send them all back without even opening since orders from other retailers were here in days. Buck and Buck and Silverts offer great items, but she's not crazy about jersey fabric. I purchased a size larger and expected to slightly overlap but that would require ties, velcro, snaps for modesty during therapy. Here's what I'm planning and if you sewists have any other suggestions, I would appreciate the guidance.
Opinions?
Suggestions?
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9 comments:
What about Velcro type fasteners? As always, you take such good care of your sister. Hope you are taking care of yourself also -- you deserve a bit of respite.
Marly, surfed around. Some things on Etsy, but can be pricey. Found a company called Buck & Buck. buck&buck.com. They have been in business since 1978. They specialize on adaptive clothing. Had all kinds of clothes for everybody. Large sizes, prices good. Didn't check ratings, looked OK. Hope this helps! Jennifer
Marly: I agree with Jan Velcro sounds better.
Catherine
I like your plan. I am going to disagree with velcro, however, vs. ties. If the clothes are washed at the facility it is unlikely that the attendant will take the time to connect the velcro tabs properly. Because the sticky side of the velcro catches everything, every thread, every accidentally left tissue, it becomes tangled, curled, essentially unusable and then that raw edge end up scratching the skin. Many facilities tried them early on, discarded them shortly after. Now, if you are doing the laundry the story might be entirely different. I prefer ties. As an FYI, most facilities that do any type of occupational or physical therapy require sweat pants or something similar. The first reason is for modesty. Another is to maintain the patency of disposable underwear and the third is for safety. When walking and guiding a patient, grabbing the back of those pants can save someone from a terrible fall. I cannot tell you how many times I have used this method. You are a wonderful sister, a real trooper!
As a former geriatric nurse, I sometimes altered the clothing of my residents at their family's request, and I found that twill tape ties worked well, as did snap tape. I do agree that velcro is not facility-friendly. Pull-on pants are great, but that will depend upon her rehab plan and level of mobility. Hope this is helpful!
The ends to which you go to help Carole, bless your heart...True, in a facility,
the velcro does not work out long term. The other knowledgeable suggestions here
sound like the best solutions...Wishing you success in this sewing endeavor and
hoping you are pacing yourself and allowing sufficient times out. Blessings.
I have no experience in something like this, but if the drawing is what a commercial company uses, it should be ok for you to do that. Unless the facility she's going to has other ideas???? And I agree with those who say to avoid velcro - even doing my own laundry, the few bits on some cargo pants I had soon ended up a mess. I'd go with the snap tape as you plan - much faster to sew on than individual snaps, less fiddly than making and turning tubes for ties. Unless a sturdy ribbon could be used.
One thing I wonder is if a bit of snap tape (would it leave a lump that's not comfortable to lie on though?) or a tie could be added farther down (waist or upper hip level?) for a bit of coverage insurance while up and moving about. Even if someone else had to tie it, it might be good to be there in case.
One additional thought on a tie at the waist - how long can it be without it flopping into the toilet :-O
Oh, gosh, I'm no help with this sort of thing--I just want to say you are THE BEST SISTER EVER! Sure wish I'd been lucky enough to have a sister like you, Marly ♥
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