Quilted Crutch Coatâ„¢
I have always loved the saying, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”
On January 11th I tore my left ACL (a very important ligament in the knee). This incident forced me to spend a few days on crutches. I immediately disliked their cold, hard nakedness and lack of character.
You could say my whole world changed. All of a sudden, I had to really consider how to move from point A to point B. I learned quickly that it’s virtually impossible to carry anything very far when you’re on crutches. Even slinging a bag or backpack was difficult and made movement awkward and uncomfortable. Fortunately, I only had to be on the crutches for just a few days after the initial injury; although I learned I would be spending 2 – 3 weeks on crutches after my ACL repair surgery.
An idea seed was planted.
I did many web searches and found several different types of bags that could be fastened on to the crutches, but that was not what I had in mind.
I envisioned a sort of crutch cover or coat–a sort of crutch couture. Why couldn’t crutches wear a functional coat (with pockets, pouches, etc. built in)? Why couldn’t this coat for crutches express an attitude or character of the person?
With my impending surgery, I got to work on my own original design from scratch. I sketched and planned and altered and brainstormed. I picked out some fun flame fabric and quilted it up on Max (my longarm).
Design features a lower water bottle pocket with elasticized top edge.
Zippered pocket
So far, I have to say that I love my Quilted Crutch Coatsâ„¢.
Design note: The water bottle pocket was put on only one of the coats. But I put a zippered pocket on both. Now it’s easy for me to carry my water bottle and all of the essential items I normally would carry in my purse. So I don’t bother with a purse for now and that means I don’t have to worry about a bag swinging around and throwing me off balance.
Last but not least, the “attitude” of the soft, squishy quilted fabric coat cheers me up. It is also a wonderful icebreaker and conversation piece.
My surgery was on Wednesday (March 3rd). It went very well and I am pleased to report that over the next few weeks I will put my design to a REAL test. I’m making notes on possible additional features and/or design improvements.
When life hands me lemons I try my best to make lemonade.
Constructive comments are welcome.
©Tracy L. Chapman March 2010. All rights reserved.
Tags: clothing for crutches, crutch coat, crutch couture, quilted crutch cover
What a SUPER IDEA! Your creating a pattern would be wonderful. This project would be a great one to do for our wounded soldiers or those in nursing homes, etc.
I want the pattern, I just had a total knee replacement, and will have to have the other done. What a wonderful idea – thanks for sharing and speedy recovery
Tracy, thanks for sharing your terrific idea, and even more thanks for sharing your positive attitude. I hope I never have to spend another ten weeks on crutches again, but I’ll be buying your pattern anyway, so I’ll be able to gift a pair of crutch overcoats to anyone in my life who might wind up needing them in the future. Bravo and best wishes for a speedy and total recovery.
Tracy,
You are fabulous! Speedy recovery to you. When you get this ready for market, you should share it with local Physical Therapists and Home Care PT staff. This is a wonderful idea.
I am a old home care nurse and Case Manager RN and know many folks who would benefit from this…..if only they could carry a laptop too! LOL
Keep up the great work.
This is such a terrific idea! Let us know as soon as you get the pattern ready. Sending you hugs and best wishes for a quick recovery.
you are such a strong person , and filled with gods blessings, i dont know where all your ideas come from, Im 90 yrs young and have been with a cane for three months with inner ear and lost balance, I sure needed something like this for my cane when i brought groceries in to my house. Keep your chin high girl and Ill pray for you
Hi Kim,
According to US Copyright Law, my work is “under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.”
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html#mywork
I do plan to develop a pattern for sale and hope to have it available within the next 6 – 8 weeks or so. Many factors are involved that could make the process longer, but that is the plan for now.
Tracy
Tracy, Glad to know you are doing well and that surgery was successful. What a clever idea! I’m hopeful I will never need to use this idea. I do hope you have a copyright for this design and can sell patterns.
Tracy: What a brilliant idea! Sorry to hear that you had to come up wih the idea “the hard way” — but you definitely made some lemonade there. Great pattern idea.
Annie
Hugs! what a clever design and I hope you’re recovering well. My dil had that surgery in the Fall and just this week she tested and received her brown belt so when you’re determined its only a bump in the road!
Dear Tracy,
I’ll keep that Hot-Line-to_Heaven busy on your behalf, for a quick recovery. 🙂 LUV your Crutch Coat idea & pattern. How very CLEVER. Yep! When life hands you Scraps…make Quilts. 🙂 Much LUV & HUGS!!! Pat in Bremerton, WA
I feel your pain with crutches. I broke my leg on Jan 11th. I was on crutches for 3 weeks with no weight bearing then 3 more weeks with increased weight bearing. Crutches are so cold when you have to get up in the middle of the night out of a cozy warm bed! The coat is wonderful idea! Pockets! Great idea! I ended up using an ice cream bucket to gather stuff in . Luckily I was confined indoors and didnt have to travel far.
Healing prayers sent your way!
Terese
Tracey, I am glad your surgery went well. I have a few more years (per the ortho surgeon who cleaned my knee up) before I need replacement. I wander sometimes if he was really talking about me knees are someone elses because I think they could be replaced today.
My experience on crutches was a broken foot in college and I totally agree that back packs can throw you off balance. I think this ia an awesome idea and I really think you could make a bundle on the pattern. When I was on crutches the padding under the arms was never enough and my hands would get sore even with the rubber grips on the handles. This would have been a very pleasant experience on campus everyday.
Keep up your therapy and you will be do the jig sooner than you think. My Dad is having hip replacement on the 22nd (anterior kind) and he is suppose to be able to walk out of the hospital in two days. (I can only hope that he finds pain relief)
Take care and thanks for your recipes, your freebies and your great deals.
Carol in SW IN
It’s a brilliant idea!
Hope u get well soon
Love the idea of the crutch coats! If you decide to sell the pattern, I would buy one okeep for anyone who may need them. My arms aren’t strong enough anymore, but if I knew anyone on crutches, I’d love to be able to make thme. Sue
Fabulous idea Tracey!
I am looking forward to your pattern!
Having spent more than four months within a 13 month period on crutches, this would have been a wonderful thing to have. I do think that it might be easier to do a pattern as crutch lengths are adjustable and the pattern would have adjustment points like other patterns. I also think that you might end the fabric at the point that the two tubes join into one at the bottom of the crutch. You could use a Velcro strip there. Covering the rest of the leg seems a waste of fabric. It is a great idea though.
Great idea Tracy! I have a bad knee and know I will need a replacement in the future, your crutch coats are just the ticket. Please publish the pattern when you complete any improvements.
You are SEW Clever!! Best of luck in your recovery–with your “invention” is will be much smoother. Using my “Rolls Royce” walker, I haven’t carried a purse for three years–is so nice to have both hands free. Will be interesting to see what else you “invent’ during your recovery. Lj
I agree. They are very clever and you should publish the pattern. I am sure it would sell very well.
What a great idea! Having spent my fair share of time on crutches in the past, it would have been wonderful to have these crutch covers instead of the backpack I used. Kudos on a really functional design. Hope you have the pattern for sale sometime in the near future. In the meantime, do your therapy and be kind to yourself. Take good care.
Oh Tracy, I adore your crutch coats. The design looks like it will make the crutches easier on your arms as well. Any thoughts about a hand grip cover? Maybe something soft with Slipper Grippers on the inside so the grips don’t slide around the hand grips.
I’m glad to hear your surgery went well and wish you speedy healing right through your physical therapy.
You are to be congratulated. Because you are a business woman, I am sure you will protect your design. You have risen in my admiration rating.
I’m sending healing thoughts your way.
Get Well Soon.
What a brilliant idea. I do not need one yet, but am grateful to know about yours, just in case. Does it have a cell phone pocket and an exterior key chain? How would the pattern adjust for child size and adult length crutches?
Could have used it in January. Still healing from total knee replacement. Hugs and best wishes on mending well.
Hi Tracy
I am glad you are doing well after your surgery….
When I had my ACL replaced a few years ago…..I never thought of Quilted Crutch Coats……that is an awesome idea. I know what you mean about the back pack and swinging purse, sure was ackward to be mobile.
I love the idea for the water bottle pocket and zippered pockets!
Love the way you always have a way to take a negative and turning it around into such a productive positive!
YOU GO GIRL
Jane
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Don’t know what made me look at Facebook today.
Glad I did, this is really great.
Can you get a patient?
That is so clever and creative! I’m sending healing thoughts your way.
I hope I never need this but it’s a brilliant idea!
This is so cool!! Way to make lemonade out of lemons!!
I hope you have a pattern to sell, or extras made ready to sell. My 14 yr old niece who is an outstanding soccer player (on an Olympic training kind of team) just found out a few days ago she needs the same surgery you had. Same regimen, same crutches.
So really, whatcha got to sell?
So happy you are doing well.
Gayle