A Touching Project

What do buckles, beads, and bows have in common?  When attached to a small lap quilt and handled by dementia patients, these various tactile quilts, called Nesteldecken, can provide great comfort and relief.  Over fifty Relief Society sisters from the Frankfurt Stake joined together at the Offenbach chapel to participate in a service project designed to create such therapeutic quilts.

The idea for these quilts originated from the understanding that dementia patients receive positive therapy by doing something with their hands, especially if they handle items that might recall a memory.  For example, touching a piece of pretty lace may bring back a memory of a favorite dress worn to a dance. Handling a ladybug ornament may evoke a memory of a fun summer outing.  Tying a shoe may be a reminder of a time spent teaching a child to tie his shoes.  Reliving these past memories can be soothing and comforting to dementia patients who struggle with memory.  In addition, they can be good tools to assist others in initiating conversations with the patients.

The cultural hall was set up with numerous tables capable of handling eight women, sewing machines, squares of fabric, and various items to be attached.  

Across the back of the hall, tables were filled with a variety of 8” squares of fabric as well as with an array of attachments:  lace, ribbon, twine, beads, buckles, buttons, belting, ornaments, rings, zippers, and, of course, the necessary pins, needles, and thread.  

The first step was to attach the various items to the individual squares by hand. 

  

Then, nine squares were sewn together by machine.  

Once completed, a backing was attached by machine as well.

All in all, there was a great turn-out for this unique service project.  Twenty quilts were completed during the project, and more will be added to the total when completed.  These Nesteldecken will then be distributed to various retirement homes, warming the hearts 

and stoking the fires of memory of many a grateful recipient.