GUILD TURNING SCRAPS INTO LABOUR OF LOVE

GLACE BAY — What might be a scrap of material to one person can turn into joy for someone else.

Members of the Quarry Point Quilt Guild have an ongoing project — making ‘touch quilts’ for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

They are accepting any good scrap material which someone might be willing to donate.

“We are making 80 (touch quilts) which we will be donating to the fourth floor of the Glace Bay Hospital, Victoria Haven Nursing Home, Seaview Manor Guest Home and Taigh Na Mara,” said Blanche Payne, vice-president of the Quarry Point Quilt Guild.

“We can use any material — flannel, denim, silk, lace, cotton, corduroy, velvet — all different textures, all different colours.”

She said the idea for the project came from the Ocean Waves guild, the regional body that lends support to the island guilds.

The touch quilts involve 36 sixinch squares of mixed textures.

“You sew six rows across and six down. It works out to be a 32- or 36inch square. We put flannel in the back. It fits nicely over the knee if a patient is in a wheelchair.”

Payne said the members cut the blocks during workshops.

“We have a big box of blocks and tell the members to pick out whatever they want.”

She said the person can see and feel all the different colours and textures.

“It’s said to make someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia feel joy to feel all these colours and textures, an opportunity for sensory stimulation which helps increase happiness, joy and relaxation. “The material from a square might remind them of an old housecoat, curtains or a blanket they once had.”

Anyone wishing to donate pieces of material to the guild for the project is asked to phone Payne, 839-3297.