Several weeks ago, a friend called my attention to a newspaper article about a lady creating Fidget Quilts.
La Mon knows me well. She knew it would interest me. I went on a Facebook
search, and found Fidget Quilts, by the same lady the article featured!
I then did a Pinterest search… oh my goodness, lots of folks
are making them! What a great idea ~ to help those with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s
keep their hands busy, things to fiddle with while they still can.
Even “Sewing with
As long as the felt is washable, and doesn’t fade, I like
the different textures this provides:
Several folks on Etsy are creating “fidget” something or the
other quilts… and they are charging outrageous prices. I’m sorry. I just can’t
see doing this, charging anything other than minimal shipping and handling to
get it to the caregiver.
I did an Internet search and found a blog article called Nancy’s Beginnings from a couple of years ago on a quilt guild creating the Fidget
Quilts for community service! Yes! She’s also provided lots of fabulous ideas.
And, I found other articles going back to 2009. So, I’m late
to the party… again!
However, I personally don’t like calling it “fidget quilt”.
I believe it sounds more positive for an adult to call it an
“Action Quilt” … and is what I’m calling those I create! Lord knows I have the
supplies. I’m thrilled to discover productive ways to use the materials I
readily have available.
January has been a weird month…
I wrote it all out, then deleted… just trust me!
Suffice it to say, time spent in Dallas so far this month I couldn’t sew, so I
did the next best thing – I planned! I created a Pinterest board, Action Quilts, where
I’ve been pinning different ideas to incorporate. I’ve also learned about adding
different tactile attributes to the quilts. Sometimes it’s a simple
embellishment like ribbon folding or weaving, or using ruffles or scallops, in
a variety of fabric textures. So many ideas! It keeps me going when I can’t sew…
I know I have several quilts to quilt for our Veterans (and
a few tops under construction to finish), but I so want to make at least one
Action Quilt very soon. Maybe, once my energy level returns to normal after also
experiencing the flu over the past couple of weeks, I can gather supplies
together and make a “kit” for the next time I’m off to Dallas to be with my mother! I can weave
ribbon without sewing. I’m sure there are a lot of things I can do without
having a sewing machine… all in preparation of creating Action Quilts!