Kemmerer High School student Yuliyanti Seva makes a fidget quilt at the Wyoming State Quilt Guild Workshop on Saturday, March 17, at the Senior Center. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis) 

A group of helping hands worked hard last weekend to use their creative quilting talents to give back to the town. 

Members of the Wyoming State Quilt Guild and volunteers from the community brought their sewing supplies and gathered at the Kemmerer Senior Center on Saturday, March 17. 

The group made “fidget” or “fiddle” quilts for elderly members of the community that have Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.

The quilts can also be useful for young children who have autism or need a certain sensory experience to focus.

Ginny Hartman is the regional representative for the state quilt guild and one of the event organizers.

“We give most of the quilts to the Nursing Center,” Hartman said. “Last year they said we completely met their needs. If anyone has a need, contact us.”

Ginny Hartman works on a fidget quilt at the workshop. Hartman is the regional representative for the Wyoming State Quilt Guild and the organizer for the annual event. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis) 

The women said this year they are working entirely with supplies that were donated by the community last year.

“People just kept bringing stuff,” said Lois Hicks, who was quilting superhero fabrics for an autistic child’s fidget quilt.

The women use varying textures and even add movable parts and objects to the quilts, which are calming to the quilt recipients and give them something to do with their hands.

Attendees at the Wyoming State Quilt Guild Fidget Quilt workshop planned out their quilts with different colors, textures and objects. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

“There’s no right or wrong way to make these quilts,” said Rosa Salzman.

“It’s all about taking what you don’t need any more and making it into something that someone else can use,” said Patty Peart.

The annual workshop is open to people of all skill levels, even those that have never sewn or quilted before.

“It’s a learning experience,” Hartman said, “but we always welcome anyone, even if they just want to design the quilts or give ideas.”

Patty Peart demonstrates the different objects and textures on her fidget quilt. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis) 

Lois Hicks makes her fidget quilt for a young boy with autism. The different textures and objects on the quilt are soothing to autistic children, as well as elderly patients with dementia. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

Rosa Salzman plans her quilt at the annual workshop. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)