WATCH: Quilting for seniors and why it’s a great indoor activity
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Arts and crafts have a long tradition of connecting generations. Quilting is no different. For hundreds of years, families have passed down the craft, signature patterns and plenty of stories to boot.
Why quilting is a great activity for seniors
Quilting requires crafters to use their entire brain, both the creative side and the analytical side. It’s one enormous geometry problem that you solve with your hands. But, unlike your 9th-grade math homework, this one problem is fun to figure out.
A quilting project involves choosing patterns, fabrics, and colors you like. And because it’s tactile and hands-on, it helps crafters maintain hand-eye coordination, finger strength, and dexterity. Additionally, crafting has been proven to reduce depression and chronic pain, as well as to protect the brain from age-related damage.
Another reason to put quilting on the list of activities for seniors: It’s social. Quilting is a fantastic way to strengthen personal relationships, make new friends and positively impact your community—all while bringing purpose and activity to the daily life of your senior patient.
How do you quilt?
To make a simple quilt, cut your fabric pieces into squares, adding 1/4 inch to each side for the seams. Lay out your quilt rows and sew them together with a straight stitch on your sewing machine, then sew the rows together to make the full front.
How hard is it to make a quilt?
It’s not difficult at all. Choose something simple like just sewing various 6″-12″ squares together, or easy patterns such as log cabin and Snwball. All of which are easy but depending on color choice and layout can look as if it was a hard thing to accomplish. Always choose 100% cotton fabrics for quilts.
