Fidget Blanket (Fummeldecke) Ideas
This will be my first time ever making a fidget blanket- I was so happy to have the opportunity today to gift my Oma a fidget blanket. I love her with all my heart, it just makes me so sad that not much can be done for her while struggling through dementia. She told me it was beautiful and she appeared to like it. I showed her each square and what she can do with it. The first thing she noticed was the wording; „Mit Liebe Gemacht“ which translates to „Made with love“. Oma Hildegard is German and I wanted to make sure she would recognize things and always remember that we love her.
What is a Fidget Blanket?
Fidget blankets are therapeutic small lap quilts to which different kinds of things are sewn or added on. These items offer sensory stimulation that can have a calming effect on patient who struggle with memory loss. The Fidget blankets help them stay busy avoiding boredom. It provides a means of performing repetitive behaviors that are often reassuring and calming.
I put much time and love into this fidget blanket - every time I handed it to her she said how beautiful it was and asked who made it. I was afraid she wouldn’t take to it. She only looked at at the first three times. The 4th time she started touching with some prompting. I was surprised to see how difficult the small things had become.
This project took me almost two weeks to make.
Would you like your own personalized fidget blanket? „click here“
Day 1:
I made 6“ blocks and every other block will have something to go with it. I stuck to a bird theme for my Oma‘s (grandmas) lap quilt. Made a little bird first.
(Someone in one of my quilting groups mentioned that she makes a little bird with every completed quilt- to keep as a memory) I think that’s a lovely idea.
Day 2:
I wrote our favorite poem on paper and sent it to spoon flower to get printed. She’s having memory issues lately and I just want to help her. She likes birds and light colors. Now I just have to wait for the fabric to come in the mail.
Day 2:
I wrote our favorite poem on paper and sent it to spoon flower to get printed. She’s having memory issues lately and I just want to help her. She likes birds and light colors. Now I just have to wait for the fabric to come in the mail.
Day 3:
Made Block 1(Bird & Nest)
Printed out some pictures that I thought my Oma might like and laminated them.
Added a little Brad hole embellishment - but then the thing ended up breaking on me. Placed the pictures on a little chain. A pocket for the pictures will come next.
Made a pocket to store all the pictures in.
Day 4: I completed block #3, 4&5 and then 6
Day 13: Fidget Blanket Block 19 Peek-a-boo Corner & Fidget Blanket Block 20 Ring Square
Listed below are some links and pictures I plan on drawing inspiration from.
Different textures are great, as are zips and pockets, tassles etc. But be careful of beads and buttons that can be picked off and put in the mouth, nose, ear, etc. As dementia suffering individuals have a tendency to do. Some more ideas are padded hexagon flowers attached with velcro that can be picked off and replaced. A favourite family photo printed on fabric.
Many of the squares I created provide different types of textures and functions such as the ability to fold, wrap, pull and squeeze. Colorful items and added scents if available are also useful such as lavender. The challenge is to try to use as many of the five senses as possible.
Other resources:
I would suggest including some sensory fabrics like minky, satin, dotted swiss, wool, flannel, suede cloth, fleece, and of course use different colors.
Helpful Tips:
1. Add big button holes on the side so a straps can be ran through the quilt or it could be clipped to the wheel chair.
Excited to share this item from my #etsy shop: Fidget Blanket. Fidget Blanket is approximately 17” square. The heart has a squeaker inside, includes peek-a-boo doors and more. #Fidget blanket https://etsy.me/390s6Wo
Links:
Designing for Dementia 101:
Colour - Bright
Contrast - Sharp
Pattern - Bold/Clear
Activity - Five minimum
Sensory load - Most important, which is why I always include thick batting/padding.
KISS vs Chaos:
Too many colours, especially similar shades is a "hot mess".
Remember: Colour and mood are linked, so beiges, creams, browns are not "cheerful" in my opinion.
Primary colours always better!
Remember for visually impaired:
Use RED/ORANGE/YELLOW
Too many patterns (prints) will not be calming to a person with dementia, but also will make it impossible for them to make out any detail.
Our designs must assist their visual CLARITY due to changes in the visual cortex of the brain.
* Narrowed peripheral vision
* Problems seeing white, opaque, shiny/reflective material and similar colour shades.
* Changes to depth perception
Bigger is Better within items, like buttons, beads, zips, but overall size should not be too big (WIDE)
Think 'lap/tv tray'.
I hope this page helps someone else who would like to help a loved one with memory loss. It is not an easy time - but maybe this will give you some help.
PS: I recently noticed that some of my links were out of date or no longer working. If you notice that one of my links are problematic please let me know. I would like all of my information to be relevant and up to date. Thank you for reading my blog today.
Links:
Block 18 Loopy click here“
Thank you so much for sharing you beautiful blanket. I am looking forward to making a couple.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome! Fidget blankets can bring relief and joy to others so I am glad to share.
DeleteThank you for sharing such a great idea! God Bless you ❤❤❤
DeleteYou've got some great ideas here. I too like making 5 inch squares. I'm about to start a sewing class at the local Christian school. I had decided last fall these Fidget quilts would be our goal for the class. Different skills can be taught each week on each square. Then when we get back to monthly singing at the nursing homes, we'll present them. I'm bookmarking your page for students to check.
ReplyDeleteHi Joy, thank you - I really enjoyed making this one and already have plans for my next one. I love that the option for experimenting is there and gives me an option to try out new things without being wasteful. I love your idea for teaching new techniques on each square and then donating them. Please let me know how it went.
DeleteI am in near tears from this page. So much love has went into each square and it really breaks it down for someone thinking “I don’t have time.” I plan to make one for my grandfather for Christmas. I know how entertained my pap will be. Thank you so much 💙
ReplyDeleteI really did put a lot of thought into it. Oma Hildegard has been struggling with dementia for almost a year now. She was on hospice for a while and now they took her off due to being stable with her weight. Her mind is elsewhere- sometimes it seems she's back in her childhood days. I'm a school teacher and time is difficult to find - but doing a little here or there gets the job done. I hope you find the time to make it for your pap. Happy Holidays!
DeleteI have a granddaughter who is autistic. She has a few of these. She loves to use them. You did a great job
DeleteThank you! for your kind words. I've taught students with autism in the past - love their unique personalities. Have a beautiful day.
DeleteQue obra más hermosa, nunca habÃa escuchado de algo asÃ! Mi vida entera la he dedicado a la costura pero nunca hubiera pensado que un proyecto asà fuera de tanta ayuda, creo que dedicaré un tiempo a esta labor para ayudar a quien lo necesite, gracias por compartir tantos detalles.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the compliment. I am happy to have inspired you to create for others. Have a beautiful day.
DeleteThank you for sharing your blanket and ideas. This is very informative. I’m looking forward to making my first for a relative.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Glad to share- it was made with love for my grandma (Oma Hildegard) Would love to see your completed fidget quilt when you are done.
DeleteWhat an incredible gift. All of my grands passed when I was young. It would have been such a joy to have made this for them
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your beautiful Ona & your amazing project! Good job! I was very close to my grandparents as well & I loved watching your sweet Oma & her laughter! Brought back my memories if my sweet Grandmother who also suffered from dementia! I wish I had thought to do something like this for her as she was a crafter, seamstress, artistic gal herself! I picked up some of the German words, but truly I think any one would see the benefit of this just by watching you show her each square & listen to her lil laugh & her responses!
ReplyDelete💕💕
Are these machine washable?
ReplyDeleteFidget blankets are user friendly and should be durable for young or elderly. Small parts are not recommended, and they should be washable. I washed the one I made for my Oma Hildegard, and it still looked good after washing. If used often I would recommend a monthly wash.
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