x-posted to sewing

[angelicate.livejournal.com]

I am heading off to Joanns later today, but was wondering if any of you knew right offhand if anyone makes a hospital gown pattern. I am thinking that if not, I might get lucky and find one in the Halloween costumes section. My little sister (20, not that little, I guess.) was in a pretty bad car accident and will be in the hospital for a while, and I wanted to make her some nice, funky gowns, instead of the crappy hospital issue ones.

If there isn't a pattern, does anyone have access to a gown that I can deconstruct and make my own pattern from? Maybe the hospitals in town would give me one that is ripped or something.

Also! Have any of you even been in the hospital for long periods of time, and have ideas on what kind of gifts would be good?
(Edit: Usual gifts of slippers, food, etc aren't really applicable in this case. She's currently paralyzed from her chest down and can't do much with her arms either. I know this makes gift-giving a lot harder, but maybe someone has been in the same situation.)