A "Fidget, Fiddle, or Busy" Quilt or Activity Blanket is a small lap
quilt, mat or blanket that provides sensory and tactile stimulation for
the restless or "fidgety" hands of someone with Alzheimer's or related
Dementias.
If you are not a a quilter, these can easily be made with a variety of scrap fabrics simply sewn together in any random pattern and simply quilted with tied crochet cotton, or machine sewn straight line stitching around the blocks. But they can also be made as lap sized blankets using fleece or other fabrics not needing to be quilted down with tactile elements attached on top.
Fidget Quilts or Blankets provide sensory or tactile stimulation
through the use of fabric choices, colors, value of colors next to one
another, textures, and the use of accents or simple accessories such as
pockets, laces, trims, appliques, buttons, secured beads, ribbons,
braids etc.
Ideas and suggestions are shared through a variety of photos of all
kinds of fidget quilts, blankets, mats, aprons, or even bags that I or
others have made.
For basic directions, suggested sizes, and lots and lots of ideas and inspiration, please check out my primary blog where I post about the making of these wonderful little quilts, my history with my family's journey and my care giving for Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia and the work that I did for AAQI ..the Alzheimer's Art Quilting Initiative ..AAQI...from 2006 through its closure in 2013. As a proud member of this organization and the founder of my own small group..the Liberated Challenge Quilters, we raised many thousands of dollars towards the founder Ami Simm's final total of ONE MILLION DOLLARS towards Alzheimer's research.
So, I began this new journey of making small fidget quilts for donation to various organizations. They are also for sale at a variety of places for those that do not sew. They are all made with love and love and prayer are infused with every stitch but it takes time and supplies to create them so it is not possible for one person to just make them for entire nursing homes as I have been asked to do and had to turn down.
Instead I teach and encourage others to make them as I continue to make what I can, when I can. And you can too!!!
Here is the link to my huge post with many, many photos of fidget, fiddle, sensory, tag quilts, aprons, mats, bags, and pillows..all are wonderful tactile busy quilts and other items for your loved ones or for donation.
