Fidget Quilts

For the May/2025 meeting at the HHQG, we did a sewing day, where we all worked together on fidget quilts.  Kits were made in advance by our Outreach coordinator with fabrics and odd bits and pieces to help get us started.  There were other thinks up at the Outreach table that you were welcome to use, that people brought in from there homes, which they thought may work for this purpose.

For those who may not know what a fidget quilt is, it's a small quilt that has little activities to keep hands busy and different textures to satisfy the senses.  These ones will be going to the residents at Extendicare.  Below I was able to get a couple of examples, with some close up pictures of the different activities.

This first one was from my group.  We had four in the group and everyone did what they could, to organize things and come up with ideas for the block's activity.  Then I would follow their instructions and sew what I need to, to get the block done.  They do take time and planning and once all the blocks are done, you kind of want to space out the colours and different activities.  Our group received a kit that was primarily orange with the bright colourful square grid fabric.  I believe the squares finished at 4" square, for a lap quilt that measured 20" x 28", as these are often used for people in wheel chairs. 

We used buttons, beads, ribbon, rick rack, badges, velcro, tassels and more.  In this section, a four patch, we had a reddish orange textured ruffles fabric, another block has a ribbon that I sewed a little stuffed toy to and the other end sewed in the seam to secure it, plus a pocket was made to put it in. On another there was upholstery trim that was sewn to the block for texture and the last one was ribbon and rick rack, that was folded into a loop and sewn into a flower shape, with a badge for the centre to secure all the ribbon.  I think these are my favourite blocks.

This one was also special.  We did buttons that go into loops, beads that go from side to side, a key secured to a long ribbon, some tassel, more textured fabric, a flap that has a ribbon loop to pull that has velcro between the flap and the fabric, and lastly taking up two blocks is the colourful square grid with a zipper that actually works, and is in fact a pocket that they can put something into.  How cool is that!!

 

I'm not sure which group did this next one.  It turn out great!  Their kit was primarily greens with some blue and a diagonal design.  They also had various things that they used to make the blocks.  It amazes me how the ideas differ from group to group.  

Here is a sample of some of the blocks up close.  We have a ring on a ribbon, a buckle on ribbon that can be moved up and down, some tassel, different textured ribbons sewn in strips across the blocks, beads on a string, and they also have a block with a stuffed toy attached to ribbon that can go into a pocket.  So cute!!

I'd have to say that these were fun to make.  Time consuming, as every group did have to take their quilt home to finish, but a good portion of the blocks were done, so it wasn't too bad to finish up.  They are all so playful.  I am sure that the recipients will enjoy them.

Take care everyone.