A quilt needs to be made for a friend with breast cancer. I’ve never had it and I hope I never get it but if you’ve had it or know someone who’s had it, would they appreciate a pink quilt or something just bright and cheerful?
Of course, it isn’t going to be this quilt, but this is all pink. This is my quilt!
Or this?
This quilt was given to a friend going through breast cancer treatment. Last I heard, she’s doing good.
I never know if the pink quilt is the best idea or if something brighter and scrappy and all different colored would be better.
Thanks!
Liz says
Good Morning!
I have never had cancer, but my friends who have breast cancer are not into the pink color thing, though one has gotten a bit more active in prevent cancer work.
I would go for the bright colorful quilt since your friend may still be in the shock phase of getting cancer and not quite ready to “tell” everyone via a pink quilt.
However, if she is the type of person who does get very active in causes, then a pink quilt might be appropiate, especially if you feel that she would get into the prevent cancer programs once she is feeling better.
I have never seen one, but an interesting quilt might be to make one similar to a friendship quilt where there is space to write. Give her a pen and tell her it is a journal quilt, to record good days and bad, friends seen, etc.
Amy says
I would go with what you think your friend would like. For a friend of mine as a group we did one of those “trace your hand & you get 2 blocks – the positive & negative” quilts – in batiks in colors that she likes purple & teal…
I would suggest “less” quilting so that the quilt has more drape… & I would probably use a poly batt since she will probably use the quilt during her chemotherapy sessions – which are notoriously cold!
Kathy McC says
When my sister’s sister-in-law developed breast cancer, she made a scrappy quilt with themed fabrics. The fabrics represented the happy times in her life: music, travels, scuba diving, her daughter and things like that. It gave her something to think about beyond the chemo.
Good luck to your friend. This is a disease that any of us could develope and we certainly need a cure for it.
CJ says
I’d skip the pink, and go with something you think she’d like (if she’s a personal friend) or just something cheery if you don’t know her taste.
quilterbee says
I love pink so I would love a pink quilt. Pink doesn’t have to be a symbol that she has breast cancer, it can just be a pretty pink quilt.
The thing about scrappy quilts is they go with any color decor.
Judy, any quilt you make no matter what color will be filled with love, hope, prayers, and hugs and that is what is the most important part of giving her the quilt.
Go with your heart and make your friend a comfort quilt. She will love it.
Quilterbee
Deb says
I would go with bright. Pink is one of those colors I think you like it, or you dont. Personally, I dont. I dont have cancer, yet. I have a dreaded feeling I will get it, since SOOO many people I know have it. The odds are against us. Seems like it used to be you almost never knew anyone who had it. Now it is almost as bad as catching a cold. Yes, they REALLY need to find a cure.
Sue Lord says
I think bright and cheerful colors would be uplifting. I personally don’t care for pink unless it is hot pink. I think the pink would be a reminder of the cancer. I know that anything you make will be beautiful. Sue
Valarie says
Hopefully she’ll be appreciative no matter what the color. I’d make a small lap quilt or quillo that she could take to chemo with her. Portable and pretty!
dee says
If I were unfortunate enough to have it I would be so overwhelmed with the kindness of someone doing this for me that I wouldn’t care what color it was. It’s really all in the git for me. That someone thought enough of me to make something so lovely no matter what pattern or color.
Vicki W says
I know she would appreaciate any quilt but I think it should be a color that she likes. Pink would just make you think of cancer all the time. Where does she like to vacation? At the beach? Then water, sand and sun colors. Mountains? blues and greens. I’d try to put her in her favorite place.
MamaKoch says
I’m not a pink person, but if somebody made me a pink quilt I’d snuggle with it anyway.
I’d also say something that maybe won’t show dirt if they take it for treatments with them. My Mom was taking chemo once during the fall and I made her a Christmas themed quilt…darker maroon, gold and blues…and she loved it.
Guess you have to know the person and what they like, but I think a gift is special no matter what color it is.
Karen says
As a breast cancer survivor I’ll give you my thoughts – she’ll be happy with anything you give her; my personal preference would have been bright colors, not the pink. If you know some of her color preferences that’s the direction I’d take or a scrappy, lots of colors quilt. Make sure everything in it is cotton – the hot flashes from some of the meds are awful and some blended fabrics make them worse.
Lastly, no matter what you do she’ll love it because you cared.
Karen
Jane says
The diagnosis of breast cancer happened in December for me. I have had surgery and finished radiation. Life is good. I know someone would feel the love from any kind of quilt. Quilts make everyone smile.
Jane in Kansas
Suzanne says
When I had cancer 18 years ago, any quilt would have been appreciated. Maybe do something reflecting her personality. You’re very sweet to think about her!
Vicky says
Make something with colors that you love, and that love will reflect in the quilt. And she will love it, no matter what color it is.
tracey brown says
If I were making a quilt for this person, I would only do pink if I knew that the recipient likes pink. And I definitely would NOT do a quilt with the ribbons on it!
Most likely, I’d go with something bright and scrappy or in her favorite color/style if I knew it.
Joanne says
I personally would prefer bright and cheerful. When I was diagnosed with uterine cancer last year my quilting friends made me a scrappy school house block quilt, very appropriate for a retired school teacher. Joanne
Pamela says
I’ve had two friends who went through breast cancer (both doing well now!) and they both said they got so sick of pink and pink ribbon gifts. They know the meaning behind the gifts but still, they said they could only take so much of it. I guess ultimately it depends on if your friend is into pink or not.
tami says
My sister had breast cancer and she would not have been as excited about a pink quilt as a one in other colors. I think that the pink for a reminder to others to encourage support, like on breast cancer walks and fundraising, is a good thing, but I think for comfort in your home whatever colors please you is better.
Julie says
I agree with others. I think a quilt with bright colors would be wonderful for your friend. Pink is wonderful as a symbol for the cure, but if it were me, I’d love bright colors to make me feel happy. Regardless of what you decide, all quilts are made with love – and that love keeps you warm.
Pat says
I tend to agree with those who said only do pink if it’s her favorite color. Otherwise, do whatever color you’d make for her if she DIDN’T have breast cancer and you were making her a quilt for a gift. I know she will like whatever you make, though….so go with YOUR gut feeling on this.
Gwen says
Judy, I agree with the bright cheerful color theme. As a survivor, I know I wasn’t ready for pink during treatment. If you are doing it with a group you can select a color group that is varied and happy. I agree that a softer quilt that snuggles really well will be helpful in the chemo treatment. Even at home I really needed to cover up and cocoon. Hugs, Gwen
Marla says
I personally would love any quilt you made. Agree with the others though that bright is the way to go. Pink may just be a reminder constantly and she probably has enough of other reminders to do that.
Robin says
I have to go along with the bright or scrappy quilt or if you know what colors she does like. Though I’m sure she would be thrilled with any quilt that you make for her. Personally I don’t care for pink. I know that pink is supposed to be the color for breast cancer awareness but I don’t think I would want to be reminded of it all the time. Last year I made some tote bags through LQS to give away for breast cancer patients and they all had to have pink in them and I just thought it would be so much better to have other colors instead.
Terri (imquilternity) says
My mother died of breast cancer and during those last months, she treasured anything that someone took the time to make for her. She knew it was a gift of love and I don’t think that color mattered to her. However, being on the other side of that, I would say to make your quilt using colors you love or colors she loves, if you know them. I think a quilt made from love is better than a pink quilt and a much more enduring remembrance of your friendship.
Mary-Kay C. says
Two friends and I, The Quilters Three, make quilts for people with all kinds of illnesses. If we know the person’s interests, we try to make something that reflects that interest. Otherwise we just try to stay bright and cheerful. And they all love them no matter what the quilt looks like. Some people can’t believe that we made a quilt for them to use while they are sick and for when they are better. They just appreciate the thought. And where did the pink come from and what does that have to do with breast cancer. I hope your friend does well in treatment and has a quick recovery. She will love anything you make her..
Marie says
I am currently making a quilt for a friends mother who has breast cancer. He said she wouldn’t like pink so I had him pick a collection he thought she would like and am making the Yellow Brick Road pattern for her. I think that what ever the person likes would be best.
Mary on Lake Pulaski says
I am a 22 year breast cancer survivor and my recommendation would be something bright and cheerful if it was a recent diagnosis. If there are some years between the diagnosis and now, the pink one would be great. Thank you for doing this for your friend, she needs all the love she can get.
Mary says
I personally love pink quilts but many of our HeartStrings quilts go to those fighting cancer and as you know — they’re scrappy and colorful. She’s going to be appreciative no matter what color the quilt.
Dianne says
I have had breast cancer twice in 12 years and I have to say bright colors. Everyone else who finds out that they know a person with breast cancer will supply all the pink a person could want. Just my opinion…..
Pam says
I think it depends on the person. My SIL’s mother and my mother both survived breast cancer (my mom 3 times!). My mom would want a bright cheery quilt, my SIL’s mom would go for the pink quilt.
Carol C says
Pancreatic cancer survivor here of 8 years, I suggest pink, orange and BRIGHT
it cheers one, and I have a beautiful purple with pinks in it from my bee.
Judy says
As a two time survivor, I would have to agree that it’s not the color but the thought that mattered to me. That someone would take the time to make a quilt for me was so uplifting and a constant reminder of caring friends. Good luck to your friend! And bless you for caring!
Judi says
Judy, Your friend will love the quilt no matter what color you decide on. It is the thought that counts and every time she looks and or uses it she will think about your friendship.
Evelyn says
You sure do give away alot of quilts! I am sure that everyone loves what you give them, no matter the color or pattern. My Mom would get really cold during treatment… have you considered backing the quilt in flannel? And a longish lap size quilt is a good size – something too big is cumbersome and can also be very heavy if she is tired. Cheers! Evelyn
Billie says
I would want something bright and cheery.
Dora Scheer says
Judy, I’m part of a quilting cancer support group at my church. We’ve made over 150 prayer quilts in the last two years. Yes, the have been some with pink in them. But for the most part, we make a wide variety of quilts; usually the person who is taking it to the person with cancer chooses one she thinks the person will enjoy. I just posted some of our latest quilts on my blog http://doraquilts.blogspot.com
I think if I were in that situation I would want either something bright and cheerful or something with soothing colors, but we find different people have different ideas of beauty, so we make a wide variety–seldom pink, and I don’t know of a single instance in which someone made a request for a pink quilt.