Frequently, patients with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia get fidgety hands. Fidget quilts are a soothing thing to those patients because the quilt gives their hands something to do. DOQ will be donating our quilts to Memory Care Units in Durham, Orange and Chatham counties. Guidelines Finished quilts should be lap size, either square or rectangular. Approximately 20×20 or place-mat size. Exact size does not matter. Quilts must be durable and washable by hand. The front may be patchwork pieced with a variety of sensory fabrics. Suggested fabrics include velvet, corduroy, silk, tulle, fake fur, suede, wool, knits, chenille, tapestry, fleece, blue jeans, terry cloth and many others! It can also be a solid fabric or a cloth place-mat with lots of other fabrics and embellishments appliquéd to it. Any items appliquéd to the surface must be very securely attached. Items may be topstitched on or can be encased in a seam. Double or triple stitch all attachments. Allow part of the attachment to be free, such as loops of ribbons, etc. Use a fabric that is not slippery for the back such as flannel, fleece, minky, or corduroy. Hem tape, fabric, or ribbons can be sewn to edges to …

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This month, Gayle will be speaking to us about her 2015 quilt challenge: making one donation quilt per week! Gayle is a former DOQ member and is part of the Cherry Creek Lane Quilt Bee. Gayle began quilting 20 years ago, and quilting has been a joy in her life ever since. She designs and constructs both custom quilts and her show quilts, which have won her 1st place prizes at quilt shows. She is the proud owner of a Gammill Long Arm Machine, but her specialty is foundation applique. In addition to her involvement with CCLQB, Gayle also is a member of a donation group that meets at the Hillsborough Senior Center.