How to Make a Memory Quilt for an Alzheimer Patient

Step by step instruction on how to make a photo memory quilt for someone with Alzheimer's.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• printer
• scanner
• photo transfer paper
• photos
• 1 1/2 yrs of 2 different colors of material
• 1 1/2 yard of white material
• scissors
• sewing machine
• embroidery thread
• thread to match your material
• approximatly 6 yds of eyelet lace and cooridinating 1/4" ribbion
• quilt batting
• backing for your quilt. I use fleece.

1. Choose any number of photographs to make up the size of quilt that you want to make. Scan, and do what ever you need, to the photos to make them as best as they can be. Photos can be enlarged or shrunk depending on your need. Print the photos on to transfer sheets. Make sure you load your transfer sheet the correct way into your printer.

2. Iron your transfer onto pieces of the white material so that you have a 1/4" edge all the way around the photo. Sew your white material with the photo on it onto a square of your colored fabric. I use a 12" square. Sew the eyelet lace around each photo. This hides where you attached it to the colored square. Now sew the ribbon on top of the eyelet lace. I like to use the same colored thread as the ribbon. Continue until you have done all of your photos the same way. Make sure you end up with the same number of squares for each color of your material.

3. After all your photos are mounted onto their squares, arrange them in alternating patterns of color, and rows. Your squares should look like a checker board. Now starting with the first row sew your blocks together. Be sure to have to squares facing each other when you sew them together so that all your seams will be facing the same way. After you are done sewing the horizontal rows together, sew the vertical rows together. When you are done you will have your quilt top done.

4. After you have your quilt top together lay it face down on the table and put a piece of quilt batting on top of it. Now lay your piece of fleece on top of the batting. Being sure to have the right side of the fleece facing you. With your coordinating blanket binding, insert all the layers of your quilt into the binding, being sure to pin all the layers together. Sew your binding onto your quilt.

5. Your memory quilt is almost done. Hang your quilt up on a clothesline so that you can start to tie your quilt. With your large eye needle, thread all 6 strands of your embroidery floss though the needle. Work with a comfortable length of thread. Starting at the front of your quilt, insert your needle in the corner of your material where they intersect, go all the way through, then come back through all layers of your quilt. Tie a 3 knots in the thread, making sure you pull the thread tight but don't pucker your quilt. Continue in this fashion until all the squares are tied in their corners. Your Memory Quilt is finished, except for giving it to your loved one.

Tips & Warnings

• A sharp needle makes it much easier to push it through the layers of your quilt. If your needle seems to be dragging try inserting it in a bar of soap a few times.
• You can use spray adhesive on your quilt batting. Just spray it on one side, lay it on your quilt top, then spray the other side of the batting before our lay your fleece on it. This just helps it to keep the layers from shifting too much.
• 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.