A simple guide on crafting a fidget quilt for sensory play and comfort

A fidget quilt or activity blanket is a lap quilt that provides sensory and tactile stimulation. They can be helpful for people with ADHD, anxiety, or autism. Making one of your own doesn't have to be too difficult.

Part 1
Part 1 of 5:

Preparing Your Squares

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  1. 1
    Make a template of any size. A recommended size to start with is 5" by 5".
  2. Put a clip on the square to hold your template to the fabric and make it easy to cut.
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  3. Most completed fidget quilts are usually 17" by 21", but you can make yours at any size.
  4. This will become your top.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 5:

Making a Tassel

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  1. Your tassel can be any length you want.
  2. This should be removable and not washable, so when you're sewing it into the quilt top, you'll sew a small loop of ribbon or a tab to hang the tassel on. This loop is usually made on the top of the quilt, so make sure the border covers it.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 5:

Making Yo-Yos

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  1. The larger the circle, the bigger the yo-yo.
  2. It will gather up into a circle. Knot the thread so it stays gathered.
  3. Your yo-yo's are done.
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Part 4
Part 4 of 5:

Adding Other Fidgets and Features

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  1. You can make the bear on an embroidery machine. The finished teddy bear is 7" by 5". Consider using a recycled jean pocket to store the teddy bear.
  2. 2
    Decide on which fidgets you want to use. You can use any number of fidgets.
  3. 3
    Pin all your fidgets on the top of the quilt.
  4. Make sure they are straight and on the top of the quilt.
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Part 5
Part 5 of 5:

Finishing the Quilt

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  1. You will need a low loft quilting batting and a coordinating fabric for the back.
  2. 2
    Lay the finished top quilt on top of the batting and cut it a 1/4" bigger on each of the sides.
  3. 4
    Cut the back 1/2" bigger on each side of the batting so you can fold it over and pin it to the quilt top.
  4. The back fabric should be pinned to the top fabric. This gives the quilt a nice border.
  5. This can be a little tricky, but with patience, you can have a nice, neat corner. If you corner is not perfect, you'll be able to fidget with the loose ends.
  6. On the border, you will want to use a fancier stitch which will function as another tactical point on the quilt.
  7. Start in the middle, sew top to bottom, and then sew left to right. You may have to dodge the fidgets, doing this binds all 3 pieces together.
  8. Your fidget quilt is ready to be given to someone!
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      Tips

      • The fidget quilts should be washable so everything (the fidgets) that is not washable should be removable.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Fabric
      • Scissors
      • Batting-low loft batting
      • Ribbon
      • Fleece
      • Buttons
      • Beads
      • Sewing machine
      • Velcro
      • Yarn
      • Rings
      • Zipper

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about knitting and crochet, check out our in-depth interview with Sarah Stearns .

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      You can make your own fidget quilt from a few fabrics and craft items. To make the quilt, first cut out 3 squares each from 3 different types of fabric to give you 9 squares in total. Sew the squares together into 3 strips, using alternating fabrics to give it a patchwork look. Then, sew the strips together using 1/4-inch seams. Once you’ve sewn your quilt, you can add decorations, like beads, buttons, tassels, and yo-yos. A yo-yo is like a hair scrunchie with a closed back. To make one, cut a circle out of fabric and stitch around the edge. Then, remove your needle, pull on both ends of the thread, and tie the ends together. To make a tassel, just cut a few pieces of yarn to the same length, fold them through a hair tie so the ends are the same lengths, then tie another piece of string around the top of the yarn to keep it all together. For more tips, including how to add a border to your quilt, read on!

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        Jun 6, 2018

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