I have spent some time recently looking through Pinterest ideas for T-shirt yarn necklaces which I mentioned in my last post. Next thing I know a pin for fidget quilts came up in my Pinterest feed and, as I had previously written a post Twiddle or Calming Muffs for Dementia Sufferers, I was interested to see what fidget quilts looked like.
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| Used with permission: With Heart and Hands |
The pin linked to Michele Bilyeu's blog 'With Heart and Hands' and it is full of tutorials and tips for making fidget quilts. Michele has had personal experience with Alzheimers as her mum suffered with it and so she was able to create crafty items that helped her mum cope each day with the restlessness that comes with this illness.
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| Used with permission:With heart and hands |
Sorry the photos are a bit blurry as I took them (with permission) from those on Michele's blog but hopefully you can see the detail there. I just love the first two in particular.
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| Used with permission: With heart and hands |
There are quilts in varieties of colours and with different features on them ....
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| Used with permission: With heart and hands |
...and this one looks like it features doileys as well as some satin fabric at the top which would feel nice to touch.
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| Used with permission: With heart and hands |
There are not only quilts on Michele's blog but also lovely items like...
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| Used with permission: With Heart and Hands |
... a Prayer Pocket Pillow. Click on the link for a tutorial.
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| Used with permission: With heart and hands |
An Origami Petal Bag with a tutorial as well...
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| Used with permission: With heart and hands |
...and fidget and tactile books.
Michele also has Free Patterns for Cancer Awareness and links to free Baby and Children's Quilt and Sewing Tutorials amongst other goodies. Just check on the sidebar on the right of her blog for heaps of helpful information and links if you are keen to make quilts, etc. The quilts aren't terribly big as they are designed to sit on the lap and do remember if you are making them for someone in a nursing home etc. that they often have to go through hot washes quite regularly and need to be quite sturdy.
I think With Heart and Hands is a wonderful resource and I would encourage you to have a good look around on Michele's blog.
Recently I watched a sobering movie which I borrowed from our local library called Still Alice
which is about a linguistics professor who is diagnosed with Familial Alzheimer's Disease just after her 50th birthday. It really is worth watching despite it being so sad to see Alice's decline but she was so very fortunate to have a supportive family like Michele's mum did. I found it quite fascinating and it was nice to watch a movie without swearing in it as they are few and far between these days.
I hope everyone is having a relaxing weekend. I have made my first T-shirt necklace and if it is on Instagram if anyone is interested. Just click on the Instagram link in my sidebar. When I have made a few more I will do a blog post so you can all be inspired. LOL!
Lovely sharing, Chel! And a lovely and well written and meaningful blog. Thanks so very much for contacting me and asking permission to share my projects, it's wonderful to connect with other good people around the world. Many blessings to you and to your family.
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure, Michele. I hope it inspires readers who would like to make a fidget quilt one day.
ReplyDeleteI love Michelle's blog and all her creative and caring projects, I've been a follower for years. Will you be making some fidget quilts, Chel? I've haven't seen the movie Still Alice, but read the book, it was very well done, and quite an eye-opener.
ReplyDeleteNanette, I won't be making a quilt in the near future as I don't have anywhere to spread out my craft items. Most craftwork is done on top of the bed...not very convenient obviously.
DeleteI too like the first two quilts. And the petal bag is so pretty. Thanks for the links, Chel.
ReplyDeleteNil, I love the Norman Rockwell prints. I don't think I have seen fabric like that before. They make a lovely quilt.
DeleteWhat a beautiful idea! Something lovely and with a real practical and helpful purpose. My young son's class spend regularly spend time with residents of an aged care home who are suffering from dementia and I believe he gets as much from his time with them as they do spending time with the children. Meg:)
ReplyDeleteMeg, I think it is so good for young people to learn how to relate to those with dementia and it must be helpful to those who suffer from this dreadful illness. I have seen on the news at times how dementia sufferers respond to having little children around in a nursing home.
DeleteAfter making my first quilt, last year, I was happy to find the blog you linked to. I could also appreciate the time and contemplation it takes, to put pieces of fabric together, is such a way, to be pleasing. The fidget quilt is a new one to me.
ReplyDeleteAutumn must be the time for crafts Chel, because between Meg Hopeful's recent shawl project, and your mention of quilts - it mirrors the places my mind has been traveling as well. I want to make a few quilted pillow cases, to match the quilt I made for my daughter's birthday, last year. As usual, I always leave it to the last minute, lol. I've got less than a month, to get it done!
Nothing like a bit of pressure to get something done, Chris. LOL! I look forward to seeing how the pillow cases turn out to match that very impressive quilt you made last year.
DeleteI have heard of these but not seen them, thanks for the link. We have several friends who are dealing with this in a spouse or parent. It is nice to have an idea when you want to "do something".
ReplyDeleteI currently don't have any rellies with dementia as they have all passed away. All of my parent's generation have gone now That gets a bit scary when you think about it.
DeleteObviously we have been on the same page lately - I am making two busy books to take over to my grandchildren in May. they are similar to fidget quilts. I also made quite a few of those t-shirt necklaces. they are lovely to wear.
ReplyDeleteI made a busy book for my granddaughters when they were little. Time consuming but well worth the effort. The tshirt yarn necklaces look nice but it can get a bit tricky covering up the seams neatly. I wish I had some seamless ones.
DeleteWhat beautiful work and how nice to see. Very inspiring. What so many good people do amazes me.
ReplyDeleteHave a very happy and Blessed Easter Nanna Chel. We are having so days at the farm! xxx
We have a few ladies at church that these kinds of blankets have been such a blessing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the links, I have been colllecting bits and pieces to make something for my uncle, a very timely post :-)
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