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How to Make a Sensory Blanket for Alzheimer’s Patients

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If you have a friend or family member with Alzheimer’s or dementia then you are familiar with the daily struggles.  A sensory, or fidget, blanket may sometimes help a patient during their day.  That is where this tutorial from Sezen Your Life comes in handy.

Sarah, the author, takes you through her process of making her sensory blanket.  There are details about what she put on hers and a little bit about the process used to make it.

Her blanket was a family affair, with her children helping her out.  She even added a loop and button so the blanket could be rolled up for storage.

You can tell from reading the article how special this blanket was to make and how it holds many memories.

Read more about making this blanket here: Sensory Blanket for Alzheimer’s/Dementia Patient Care

[photo from Sezen Your Life]

Are you caring for a loved one with dementia or in need of aged care support? Discover our curated Amazon Idea List specifically designed to ease the challenges you face. From practical tools to comforting items, our selection aims to provide both you and your loved ones with the best care possible. Visit our Amazon Idea List to find everything you need to make your caregiving journey a bit smoother and a lot more compassionate.

Comments

  1. Hi Claudia,
    Thank you so much for the kind words! Out of all of the projects I’ve done, this blanket is by far the most meaningful. I hope it is an encouragement to others walking alongside loved ones on this challenging journey.
    Thank you!
    Sarah

Have you read?

7 Woven Ribbons Quilt Patterns for a Beautiful Interlaced Look

There is something wonderfully satisfying about a quilt that makes you look twice. A woven ribbons quilt has that clever over-and-under effect, yet the “ribbons” are usually made from pieced fabric. Change the colours and the same design can feel bright and modern, soft and traditional, or like a very good excuse to use those prints you’ve been saving.

If you’re curious about the technique, I’d start with a single woven ribbon quilt block. It lets you play with colour and see how the pieces create that interlaced look before committing to a whole quilt. If you’re ready to spread fabric across the sewing table, there are full-size patterns here too. I’ve included free options alongside a paid pattern, with skill levels where the designers provide them.

Free Woven Ribbons Quilt Patterns

Woven Ribbons Quilt by FreeSpirit Fabrics

This free pattern uses Tula Pink’s True Colors fabrics for a wonderfully lively woven effect. Designed by Stacey Day, it finishes at 80 × 93½ inches and is marked for advanced beginners. I’d lay the pieces out before sewing each section so those gorgeous colour paths stay easy to follow.

Woven Ribbons Quilt featuring Hoffman Fabrics

If you like a calmer palette, this free pattern has a lovely seaside feel. The finished quilt measures approximately 72 × 84 inches and uses 12-inch blocks. It’s a useful choice when you want the woven design to make an impact across a larger quilt.

Ribbon Weave Quilt by Wishwell

The fabric strips in this design appear to travel across the quilt top and slip beneath one another. This free Robert Kaufman pattern finishes at 82 × 82 inches and is listed as intermediate. It’s the one I’d choose for a generous sofa quilt with plenty of room to show off the design.

Woven Ribbon Quilt Blocks to Try First

Interlocking Ribbons Quilt Block by Cats and Quilts

This free 7-inch block gets its woven look from four sections made with squares and rectangles. Try making just one as a colour test, then turn a few into a cushion front or a small quilt. It’s a manageable way to enjoy the effect without clearing an entire weekend.

Woven Ribbons 12-Inch Block by Berrima Patchwork

This free block is a nice choice for a sampler or for repeating across a quilt. I can picture it in three colours: one for each ribbon and a quiet background to let the weaving stand out. The post links to the block pattern.

Woven Ribbon Quilt Block by Teresa DownUnder

Teresa’s short preview makes it easy to see how the block comes together and decide whether you like the finished look. The full tutorial and block companion are available through her Patreon, so check the access details before settling in with your fabric and a cup of tea.

A Paid Woven Ribbons Quilt Pattern

Woven Ribbons Quilt by Highview QuiltWorks

This downloadable, intermediate pattern uses strip piecing and colour placement to create its woven illusion. It includes lap and throw and king-size versions, which makes it appealing if you already know exactly where the finished quilt needs to go.

If you love the interlaced look but fancy a smaller sewing project first, the recycled ribbons cushion cover on CraftBits offers another way to bring ribbons into your sewing. For a different ribbon design in patchwork, see the Ribbon Border Quilt block featured on CraftGossip.

My advice? Pull out a few fabric combinations and make one block before choosing colours for a full quilt. That little test piece might tell you more than an hour of rearranging fabric on the table—although, if you’re anything like me, you’ll happily do both.