Fidget Quilts

Below are another set of fidget quilts ready for donation.  If you are unfamiliar with fidget quilts they are small mat quilts for folks suffering with alzheimer's and dementia.  Each quilt is meant to be visually and sensory stimulating.  I try to use fabrics that are bold and bright in a variety of weights and textures. The embellishments  are all colorful with a lot of different "feels".  Safety is a big issue and so any embellishments must be well attached.  Quilt should all be firmly made and washable. 

If you are interested in making a fidget quilt I would recommend asking the location you are planning on sending your donations to if they have any special size requirements for guidelines.

Rick-rack in various sizes, lace, satin and organza ribbon, yo-yos,canvas and various cottons, a leftover quilt block with embroidery.

A leftover quilt block, large rick-rack, yo-yos, lace, ribbon.

Above photo with ribbon, burlap, various laces, yo-yos,

Another leftover quilt block, ribbons, trims, yo-yos, rick-rack and lace.

Leftover quilt block, yo-yos, rickrack, trims, ribbon, and bias tape.

 Each fidget quilt is approximately 22" X 17" with flannel backing and 80/20 batting.

I find working on fidget quilts super rewarding.  I hope you may be inspired to look for opportunities in your area to donate a quilt.

Thanks for stopping in. Have a great day

MaryEllen

SAQA Spotlight Auction

 Just a quick post to show my donation to the SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) spotlight auction.

On Delicate Wings 4.5" X 6.5"

Gelli print on fabric, various threads for embroidery, lace, beads, covered rings.

The SAQA spotlight Auction runs online April15-April 25, at saqa.com.

For anyone new to my blog SAQA or Studio Art Quilt  Associates is a non-profit organization that promotes art quilts as fine art through exhibitions, publications and other resources. SAQA helps link artists with other artists as well as with various art professionals from around the world.  The Spotlight Auction helps fund many of these activities. You can learn more about SAQA at SAQA.com 

I hope you are able to stop by the SAQA site and enjoy seeing the donations from all the artists.

Have a great day!!

MaryEllen

Progress on my crazy quilt project "Hats". Undate #2

Work on my Hats, crazy quilt project is continuing.  I thought I would give you all a little update.

As I mentioned before I like to work in phases, so phase 1 was making the blocks (blog post June 26, 2025) and phase 2 was basic embroidery with various floss and threads (blog post Nov.12 2025).  Today I'm adding phase 3 which is fine stitching on the faces and hats.

Below are a few detailed photos.  Sorry for the quality of the photos, I see they got a bit fuzzy from zooming in so close.

Most if not all of the stitching on the hats and faces is done with a single strand of "fancy" or specialty sewing threads.  Technique for the stitches is a combination of straight stitch, back stitch and bullion stitches.

The bullion stitch was great for adding a 3-D fluffy effect for the feathers. 

 Beads and silk ribbon were also added.

I anticipate the "Hats" project will take me at least another year as I work on and off around other projects. I hope you will drop back in as the work progresses.

I thought you may be interested in seeing how I store my "fancy"  spool threads. These threads are, for the most part, shiny, silky polyester or rayon threads, metallic threads and SULKY threads. I love the look of all of these threads but many of them my machine doesn't like to work with.  Thus, I use them for hand work and special effects.  

I like to put my threads in small jewelry bags so the threads stay nice and neat.  The thread bags are hung by a color matching metal ring and hooked to a metal rack.  FYI, the metal rack is an old dog gate tipped sideways.  I love the way this works! So neat and I can see everything. 

I know this takes up more space, but I find I'm using all my stuff because I can see it.  And, because it has a home it gets put back for the next time.

Hope this gives you some new ideas and inspiration.

Have a great day!

MaryEllen