FIDGET ACTIVITY MATS
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After our Sew-Ins (August, September), Leslie Plank delivered 15 of the Fidget Mats to The Gardens at DePugh Nursing Center in Winter Park.
They loved them!!! Very appreciative! |
The Sew Crazies Neighborhood Group held a Sew-In at our August 2021 meeting to work on Fidget Activity Mats for dementia patients. Diane set up stations to make a production line. See photos of the group at work under the Neighborhood Groups tab (2021 August - Sew Crazies).
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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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.