How to Make a Memory Quilt for a Patient With Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disease where patients, usually aged 60 years and older, have problems thinking and reasoning. According to the National Institute on Aging, memory loss is one of the first signs of Alzheimer's disease. To counteract the disorder, make a memory quilt for a patient with Alzheimer's disease by using photographs of loved ones. Choose pictures of the patient when he was young, a spouse and their children. Include photos of grandchildren, vacations and favorite pets. Then, place the photos onto a quilt where the patient with Alzheimer's disease can touch and feel their beloved.
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Things You'll Need
- 30 photographs
- Scanner
- Printer
- Photo transfer paper
- Iron
- 30 12-inch white cotton squares
- 2-inch wide ribbon
- Scissors
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Measuring tape
- Blue fleece
- Quilt batting
- Straight pins
Instructions
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1
Scan all 30 of your chosen photographs for the Alzheimer memory quilt, using a scanner that is plugged into your computer. Set the photos to 8 by 10 inches. Print each memory photo onto photo transfer paper, using your computer's printer.
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2
Iron each photo transfer centrally onto separate 12-inch cotton squares. Use a high setting on your iron and transfer the photos by placing the photos directly face down onto the fabric. Iron the photos, using a circular motion all over the cotton fabric for a few minutes.
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3
Cut 120 2-inch wide ribbon into 12-inch pieces with scissors. Sew the ribbon pieces around each photo transferred onto 12-inch fabric. You should sew four ribbons onto each 12-inch square fabric, so that the ribbons create a border. Use a sewing machine or needle and thread for this step.
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4
Sew all the photo squares together so they are five across and six down to accommodate all 30 photographs for the quilt. Use a sewing machine or needle and thread to create the quilt top. Measure the quilt top with a measuring tape. It should be approximately 60 by 72 inches.
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5
Cut out blue fleece into the exact measurement of your quilt top. Place quilt batting over the entire piece of blue fleece. Place the quilt top over the batting and use straight pins to secure all three layers before sewing.
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Set your sewing machine for an embroidery setting. Sew around each quilt top square and the edges of the entire quilt to the batting and fleece. If you do not have a sewing machine, hand sew everything together. Be sure to knot the thread to secure and cut off excess thread.
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Tips & Warnings
Add trims and different fabric for a more complex quilt. Use the Alzheimer patient's favorite colors for this project.
Any size photos and quilt works for this craft. Be sure to use photos large enough for the patient to see them.
When making a memory quilt for someone with Alzheimers' only use calm looking fabric. If you use a fabric that is very busy or loud, it will only add the their confusion.
You might even choose their favorite color for your material.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
