Fidget quilts are lap quilts with a preferred finished size of ________. Fleece or flannel material for the underside and cotton material for the quilt top are preferred. All materials used should be washable. When making a fidget quilt, one should always consider sex, age, capabilities, skill level, hobbies, favorite colors or pastimes.

(1) For the underside of the quilt–Cut one piece of fleece or flannel fabric 19 inches wide and 25 inches long. Fleece or flannel is used for the underside of the quilt as the nap on the fabric helps it to adhere and stay in place on the recipient’s lap.

(2) For the top of the quilt — Using cotton fabric, create a top piece for the quilt by combining strips, squares and/or rectangles together to measure 19 inches wide and 25 inches wide. The top piece can be made of solid fabrics or a combination of both solid and print fabrics. Although the underside of the quilt should be one piece, the top can be strips, squares and/or rectangles sewn together; as long as the finished quilt top measures 19 inches wide x 25 inches long. Using complementary materials for underside and top helps bring cohesiveness to the quilt and is less distracting for the recipient.

Fabrics can be personalized for the recipient by using a pattern that reflects a past hobby (flowers, birds, music, cars, hunting, etc.), profession ( veteran, farmer, fireman, housewife, nurse, teacher, etc.). Age appropriate prints children include story book or cartoon characters, cars, trucks, animals, sports, etc. Embellishments can then be chosen to go with the theme in the material.

(3) Place one fleece/ flannel rectangle (19″ x25″) and one cotton rectangle (19″x25″ ) with right sides together.

(4) Machine sew two long sides and one short side together, leaving one short side open. All seams should be 1″ You will now have what looks like a pillowcase. Clip small piece off each corner and turn right side out. Poke out corners to make them square.

(5) Take open end and fold in 1’2″ around. Pin and press. Machine sew closed. You are now ready to add embellishments to the quilt.

Embellishments for adult quilts vary based on the stage of dementia of the recipient. In the moderate stage of dementia, it is still possible for the recipient to engage in some fine motor coordination activities such as zippers, buttons,etc. as well as sensory stimultation using various _____ material. Once they are in the Severe, or end stage of dementia, embellishments are primarily sensory– different fabrics, objects, and ______.

Quilts for children are often more colorful and the material used often features cartoon or favorite storybook characters (mickey mouse, winnie the pooh, snow white, etc) or _____ they show an interest in such as trains, planes, dogs, cats, etc. Embellishments are a mix of fine motor activity and tactile or sensory items.

All embellishments should be free of sharp edges, without removable parts, waterproof, free of any harmful dyes or lead paint, and able to be securely fastened to the quilt by hand or by sewing machine. Any items on a ______ must not be able to go over the head, or undone. We double and triple sew embellishments to the quilts for added safety.

Here are some ideas for your quilt’s embellishments…