.Quiltscapes.: TGIFF - Sensory Meditation Mat (A Grown-up Fidget Quilt)

Time for another edition of "Thank Goodness It's Finished" Friday!

I always love when it's my turn to host TGIFF! It is great motivation for me to get stuff done.

This year, I've been traveling around quite a bit, teaching quilt classes and mostly sharing my Binding & Edge Finishing Guide Trunk show and workshop. In a little section demonstrating how easy it is to insert a little something before applying the binding (a tag, a label, a hanging sleeve, cute notions or trim) I show a sample of a "fidget quilt" made from a printed pillow panel.

At one particular demo, the group was mostly comprised of new quilters interested in small, satisfying, do-able projects, and this little fidget quilt caught their attention.

Here are three examples (click on each picture to see the full project).

These are basically mini quilts made to invite touch and interaction - to keep little fingers busy, almost like a quiet book. I added a flap and handle so it can fold up into a cute pack-along bundle. The flap can contain a pocket for additional storage, if you wish.

These are great for kids, or for someone of any age who likes/needs something fiddly to do with their hands. This new version is a "grown-up" fidget quilt! Fun to make, relaxing to use, and a thoughtful gift for a loved one in need of a calming companion.

Instructions
* Start with the quilt top: Find a cute printed pillow panel, or use fat quarters. Note - I've also made these by piecing together 5" charm squares, incorporating different tactile elements or tasks on each square, then sewing them together for a 9-patch or 16 patch of fun!

For my project today, I used a sweet printed pillow panel called Love Me More by Lisa Audit for Riley Blake Designs. I love the beautiful artwork and positive affirmations.

* Gather notions and embellishments that will invite touch and interaction.

* Incorporate fabrics and materials with a variety of textures such as minky, velvet, chenille, etc.; ribbons, trim and other tactile elements to support sensory engagement.

1) The first thing I do is to layer the top and back with batting, then baste the edges together.

2) Quilt. I love to add a marble maze somewhere on the quilt. I drew out a little maze path and stitched out channels, about 1" to 1-1/4" apart across the lower section of the panel. Test and make sure the marble can travel from one side of the quilt to the other. I quilted the rest of the quilt with swirls and loops. I marked the beginning and ending of the maze with folded prairie points and used a glue stick to attach them before adding the binding.

3) Add notions. Look through your notions drawer for fun or unusual trim that can be applied to each edge before adding the binding: pompoms, ribbons, lace, etc. Again, use a glue stick to baste. Trim the ends even with the edges of the quilt. Think of other elements to add to the corners - fasteners such as a button, snap, buckle or zipper can be fun. Add a trinket to the zipper pull for more variety. Whatever you use, be sure that all the elements are thoroughly secured to the quilt.

4) Apply binding. Note - You may need to add width to your binding strip to accommodate extra bulk of any added elements. (Make sure your marble is still in the maze - lol, don't lose your marbles!) Add the binding using your favorite technique. I stitched my binding to the front of the quilt, then after folding the binding to the back, I stitched in the ditch on the front of the quilt, catching the binding in the back. Applying binding by machine will make it more durable.

NOTE >> To make your little fidget quilt into a pack-along, add a flap and a handle before adding the binding.

Cut (2) 4" x 5" rectangles for the flap. Cut a 3" x 8" strip for the handle. Apply fusible interfacing to the wrong side of each piece. Center and baste the raw edges to one side of the quilt. For the handle, fold the 3 x 8" strip lengthwise in half, wrong sides together. Next, fold the outer edges to the center fold line and press again. Edge-stitch around all four sides. Pin the raw edges to the sides of one 4 x 5" rectangle, about 2" from one end. Baste in place.

Layer the flap pieces with right sides together, folding the handle out of the way, and stitch around three sides. Trim the corners and turn right side out. Press and edge-stitch the flap. Next, center and baste the flap to one side of the quilt, aligning raw edges. Now you are ready for binding.

Join two binding strips together and press lengthwise in half. Apply binding as usual, taking extra care when sewing over thick notions or the flap. Stitch by machine if possible, as the stitches will be more secure than stitching by hand. Apply Velcro to the flap. Fold up the quilt to see where the cooresponding velcro piece should be positioned.