Sew Crazies - July 2020
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Program: FIDGET ACTIVITY MATS
Even though we are unable to meet in person for a Sew-In this month to make the Fidget Mats, this is a perfect project for us to be working on at home. It is an opportunity to use up fabric scraps and notions we have at home in a creative way to eventually benefit someone in need.
Diane has prepared a short video with suggestions. You can access it with the link below.
Diane has prepared a short video with suggestions. You can access it with the link below.
Fidget Activity Mats are designed to safely stimulate and soothe people with Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, ADD, head trauma, or persons recovering from strokes.
The sensory activities are stitched securely onto the top which can be one or more fabrics pieced together. In the video Diane shows one that is made of 6x6" squares. At our March Sew Crazies meeting, Cheryl, Maureen, and Diane all showed Fidget Blankets they have made. Cheryl made great use of recycled jeans with pockets, belt loops, and buckles. Zippers open up to show another fabric underneath. Cords lace up and tie in a bow. Fasten a bra closure. Beads slide along a strong cord. And lots of textures, ribbons, trims, and visually bright fabrics for interest!
The sensory activities are stitched securely onto the top which can be one or more fabrics pieced together. In the video Diane shows one that is made of 6x6" squares. At our March Sew Crazies meeting, Cheryl, Maureen, and Diane all showed Fidget Blankets they have made. Cheryl made great use of recycled jeans with pockets, belt loops, and buckles. Zippers open up to show another fabric underneath. Cords lace up and tie in a bow. Fasten a bra closure. Beads slide along a strong cord. And lots of textures, ribbons, trims, and visually bright fabrics for interest!
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I have also included some pictures of mats at a booth at the AQS Quilt Show in Daytona in February.
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Everything must be attached - absolutely no loose or separate pieces.
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Some suggested items:
Hair ties * Pockets * Felt * Minky * Marbles to make a maze inside the fabric * Dog squeakers * Zippers * Ribbons * Old keys * Snaps * Gloves * Buttons (Large ones only) * Crochet items * Velcro * Shoe laces * YoYos * Rivets * Trim, lace trim etc. * Yarn * Tassels * Clips * Buckles * PomPoms * Crinkly stuff like a potato chip bag * Denim * Elastic * Kitchen sponges (rough ones) * Bra fasteners * Old watch bands * And so much more……be creative as we know we can! |
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The back could be something soft and cuddly like Minkee or flannel that won’t slide easily off their laps and can be pieced from smaller scraps.
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You can add straps to tie on like an apron as Diane mentions in the video. We saw some mats at the AQS quilt show in Daytona with a strap that was one long loop stitched in a side seam. It was long enough for the entire mat to pass through so that it can be attached to a wheelchair, walker, or bed rail, making it easy to retrieve if dropped.
Hearts for AdventHealth NICU
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Another Community Service Project we are working on is making hearts for the NICU at AdventHealth. These are two heart shaped pieces of fabric about 5-6 inches across. They are stitched right sides together with an opening for turning. Turn, press, and topstitch all around, closing the opening. These are worn close to the body of family members and then placed in the isolette with the baby to become familiar with the smell of family members even before they can be picked up.
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Sew & Tell
I have these three projects finished and another flannel quilt under way. This last month has been cooler and a bit rainy on the Oregon coast. Cheryl
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I have made a quilt for me. It is cool here on the Oregon coast at night so it is all flannel. I belong to Latimer Quilt and Textile Center in Tillamook just 10 miles from where we park for the summer. They have a gift shop and part of the money from the sales helps them with their funding. I have made many microwave bowl holders as well as other things. Monday I will take in more bowl holders, hands free kitchen towels and a small wall hanging. The hanging is made from parts of a panel from Daisy Kingdom. I was gifted a number of the panels so will make several different ones but I have to make another one like this for my husband. See you in December, Cheryl
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A close friend of mine in Houston volunteers 3 days a week at a memory care facility. Her husband was a live-in patient at the facility and for five years she spent Monday - Saturday, 8-5 caring for him at that facility until he passed from Alzheimer’s a year ago. With her guidance, I made 3 fidget blankets and sent them to her. I’m sorry not to have photos - it was emotional and personal and it didn’t occur to me to photograph since COVID had disrupted so many, if not all, of our ASG activities. Kathiann
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I made this Dogwood Blossom quilt with fabric from a line of Moda posies. Back is also pieced using leftovers from the front, and free-motion quilting done on the domestic machine. Dawn
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I have been finishing some appliqué tea towels. This is one of my Christmas ones.
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Also working on 5 Santa Sacks for my grandkids and myself. Three done and two to go. Just need to get the silhouette out and finish the designs.
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Completed this wool pumpkin and framed it in May. I really enjoy working with wool and have several more projects in the works. Pat
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2 new tops - both are from patterns I made.
The colorful top has pleats around the neckline with a short shoulder seam so the armhole cuts-up towards the neck. The top is made from JoAnn’s silkessence (shiny polyester). The brown top is made from a 1x1 rib cotton knit (which should have been ironed). This top was an experiment in making a boatneck top with a neckband in the front and back from armhole seam to armhole seam. Jill |
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My great niece got married on Saturday. I made the ring bearer pillow. I attached a ribbon in the middle for them to tie their actual rings on. When the wedding is over, they can simply clip the tiny satin stitch holding it on and it will easily come off. Then they have the pillow as a keepsake.
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They had to change all of their plans for the wedding because of Covid. They are expecting ~200 people. They are having it outside under tents on some acreage in Colorado.
My sister Nancy, grandmother of the bride, made these masks for the bride and groom. Rhonda
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Pattern: The Sewing Workshop, Frankie. Shortened pattern 2” and narrow shoulder adjustment. Judy
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These are baby gifts for friends of my son. The baby’s grandmother is a dear friend of mine. I started these months ago and finally took time to get them done and in the mail - before he outgrows them! Lyn
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The above collection of pillows were inspired by Agda’s love of making a nest with whatever she could find. The back side of the first nesting pillow has 3 pockets. One with a zipper, one with buttons and one open one. The ocean pillow has a collection of dolphins that I cut out and stuffed. Some are chained with a homemade cotton yarn tie in order to match the number on the cushion pockets with the number of dolphins. And the last reading pillow (Læsepude in Danish) has two pockets: one with an embroidered owl and one open for any reading material. Agda is two and loves to “read”. The three pillows are attachable by snaps.
Now I am making a collection of the pillows for our other two little girls, 3+ and 1+, in Baltimore. I am having a ball - homebound and being very conscious of the lurking threat that is challenging our way of life. Miss you all, Vibeke
Now I am making a collection of the pillows for our other two little girls, 3+ and 1+, in Baltimore. I am having a ball - homebound and being very conscious of the lurking threat that is challenging our way of life. Miss you all, Vibeke