Hospital Bed Caddies

Olde Towne Stitchers Serving the Community

From “idea” to custom design to full production

Pictured: Margaret Wharton (Neighborhood Group Leader), Marilyn Saporito (ICU Nurse Manager), Rose Farace (Community Service Lead, Olde Towne Stitchers)

In an effort to expand and diversify our Neighborhood Group’s Community Service activities we met with personnel at our local hospital, Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. Their Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses had a vision for a bed caddy that would help their patients reach for eye glasses, phones and other small objects that were out of reach since bedside tables are not available as in other units. Rose Farace spent considerable hours developing several design styles, meeting with Hospital staff, and making caddies to prototype with actual patients. From the approved sample, Rose developed detailed instructions and pattern pieces used by our NG during a 5 hour workshop in January. Our members brought their cutting tools and sewing machines and had a great time working with a new pattern. (see picture of one of the final product at left) The Hospital was ecstatic to receive the first delivery of 125 caddies on February 1, 2016. Our members were fueled by the positive response (and a few cold winter days) to keep their machines humming and by February 29th we delivered another 200 caddies. We should have NO problem meeting the request for 500 bed caddies before the year ends.

The PDF files for the pattern and instructions can be found on the Home Page and below this blog post.

But first, enjoy some pics of our group working together during our January workshop - cutting, stitching and assembling the first set of caddies.

#diy #sewing #pattern