Alzheimer Activity Matt

 

Purpose of the Alzheimer’s Activity Mats

The activity mats are designed to safely stimulate and soothe people with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive challenges, while providing a better quality of LIFE.

L – Lift spirits and entertain users while relieving caregivers.

I – Interest  users in items on the mat. This stimulates senses and reinforces memory.

F – Focus user’s attention during therapy or conversation with a caregiver. Helps visitors and staff find topics of conversation with users.

E – Exercise hands and fingers.

See more on Etsy

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1106688789/fidget-toy-adult-dementia-fidget-blanket?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_-ready_to_ship-home_and_living&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAiA55mPBhBOEiwANmzoQkoZ25Q6a3-JomItzHE_ZXL76P_dsBN22V4PbxLGGVE9s9KhE-71VBoCFpUQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_14821205487_124718093021_549196284664_pla-1442148026121_c__1106688789_136772311&utm_custom2=14821205487&gclid=CjwKCAiA55mPBhBOEiwANmzoQkoZ25Q6a3-JomItzHE_ZXL76P_dsBN22V4PbxLGGVE9s9KhE-71VBoCFpUQAvD_BwE

This link has a pattern/guide. 

https://nancyzieman.com/blog/sewing-2/sew-an-alzheimers-activity-mat/

How important is touch in the care of an Alzheimer's patient?

Go to link below to read article. 

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/health_fitness/article_470abc42-5284-11e6-ac0a-8f16b7b4745f.html

History

This is the corner of a hand sewn sail made in the 1900c. The craftsmanship and quality of the the canvas sails were made of hemp as well as clothing and ropes and the caulking used to fill gaps between planks among other things. Hemp is 3 times stronger than jute and was preferred because it was unaffected by salt water.

 

Little Dresses for Africa

All About Little Dresses for Africa

Founded in 2008, Little Dresses for Africa is a not for profit charity that strives to send beautiful clothes for vulnerable children across Africa.

The charity was founded in the US, but we work with the wonderful Sarah who is the charities UK ambassador. She's lovely and once your little dresses arrive here with us, we send them on to her and she works to make sure they're sent to worthy communities across Africa.

The pillowcase dresses are hugely appreciated by the communities as items of clothing, however the charity works closely with the communities too. All the dresses are delivered to small and remote villages by groups of volunteers. The charity delivers the dresses to the children and spend time with the residents, building relationships to focus on educating about clean water, assisting with primary education and helping to build community.

The little dresses are always delivered to small villages and distributed alongside a local church or orphanage. The charity always ensures that the villages that are receiving dresses do not have easy access to clothing items, therefore do not negatively affect the local economy or compete will a local business.

You can keep updated with where our little dresses are being sent by following the Little Dresses for Africa - UK facebook page.

How To Get Involved

The Little Dresses charity works entirely on donations of homemade dresses.

We send you beautiful new pillowcases, so we want to encourage you to do something really great with your old ones. All you need is a sewing machine and a spare afternoon, the instructions are made to be simple so whether you're a sewing expert or a complete newbie, everyone can get involved.

Find our instructions for how to make your own dress from a pillowcase here.

Want some inspiration? See our gallery with a selection of some of the 2000 dresses we've been sent so far!

Share your own photos with us on social media too, always tagging in #mylittleslsdress.

Images and info above sourced from Secret Linen Store

https://www.secretlinenstore.com/all-about-little-dresses-for-africa

 

Marit Ilison, Designer

The eye-catching, colourful and patterned woollen vintage blankets originate from the 1970s and 1980s Soviet Union when they were very common and found in every house. Every family had at least one, if not several. The blankets are often connected to very personal memories, for example, they were given as wedding presents. In the beginning, the blankets were made of camel wool. People used to unpick them to get precious yarn and to knit sweaters of it during the Soviet deficit. Later mainly lambswool was used. We dedicate a lot of time finding them because such blankets have become rare in time and each of them is unique. For Longing for Sleep Unique collection coats each blanket is carefully selected and cleaned.

More to see. 

https://tomandlorenzo.com/2020/10/international-fashion-spotlight-the-drop-dead-coats-of-estonian-label-marit-ilison/

 

Suzani

What is a suzani?

A suzani is a large, hand-embroidered textile panel; the word comes from the Persian word suzan, which means needle. Originating from nomadic tribes in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries, suzanis have become highly collectable and valued for their beautiful decoration and fine craftsmanship.

How was the suzani originally used?

The primary use of a suzani was within the yurt (a Central Asian nomadic tent), as a protective wrapping panel for textiles and belongings. They were also used as prayer mats, as bed sheets and for seating — pieces of furniture are seldom found in yurts, because they are cumbersome to move.

Suzanis had a symbolic significance, too. They were traditionally made by brides and their mothers as part of a dowry, and presented to the groom on his wedding day. They represented the binding together of two families, and were adorned with symbols of luck, health, long life and fertility.

                        PROBABLY BUKHARA, UZBEKISTAN, 19TH CENTURY

How are suzanis made?

Suzanis are made from cotton, sometimes silk. The pattern is first drawn onto the cotton, before being embroidered on narrow portable looms. They are usually produced in two or more pieces, meaning that they can be worked on by more than one person, before being stitched together.

Just four stitches — tambour, basma, chain and kanda-khayol — are used to realise a large variety of patterns, which traditionally include the sun and moon, flowers and creepers of the Asian steppes, leaves and vines, fruits (especially pomegranates), and occasionally fish and birds. These motifs were believed to imbue the suzanis with spiritual powers, offering protection or strength to their owners.

Which dyes are used?

Suzanis are coloured with vegetal dyes, although some more recent pieces may use synthetic dyes, which are not considered to give the same intensity of hue.

The natural dyes use imported indigo for blue, cochineal and imported madder for reds, saffron for yellow, a mix of indigo and a yellow tree fungus for green, and iron oxide and pistachio nuts for black. The dyeing process takes place in an outdoor vat, similar to those that can still be seen across the Maghreb.

 More images and info. Go to source link below.

https://www.christies.com/features/A-guide-to-suzani-textiles-8341-1.aspx

Uzbekistan is a Central Asian nation and former Soviet republic. It's known for its mosques, mausoleums and other sites linked to the Silk Road, the ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean. 

 

ESO STUDIO SHOP

More to see on the website. Link below. 

https://www.esostudioshop.com/

And check out this great blog post. 

https://www.esostudioshop.com/blog/lessons-in-overcoming-creative-blocks-the-macro-and-the-micro

Kitchen Garden Textiles

"I design textiles to replace single-use and plastic disposables in home kitchens and rental napkins for caterers and restaurants, and I give back to urban farmers. All of the textiles I use began as crops, just like the food on our table."

-Heidi Barr, Founder 

Go to website to learn more. Link below. 

https://www.kitchengardentextiles.com/

 

25 Sustainable Textile Innovations

 Go to website to see all 25. Link below.

https://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/sustainable-textile-innovations

Sustainable Fashion Projects

Go to website to see a list of projects. Link below.

https://www.sustainable-fashion.com/projects

 

Textile Sustainability Project

Assignment:

Participate in a Textile Sustainability Event. Each student will have a task in the event. The Mending Project, led by upper level textile students, will be present at the event. 

Collections:

• Shoes
• https://shop.terracycle.com/en-US/products/shoes-and-footwear-zero-waste-boxes?taxon_id=44
• Clothing for recycle
• https://textilerecyclingquotes.com/jacksonville-textile-recycling/
• Old Blankets and Towels for local pet shelters.
• Blankets (for baby, child, adult). Local. 
• Dress for Success 

Student Tasks:

• Poster Design, Print and Distribute - 1
• Design Signage for Tables - 1
• Collect shoes at table - 1
• Collect clothing for recycle at table - 1
• Collect blankets for baby, child, adult at table - 1
• Collect old towels/blankets for pet shelters at table - 1
• Collect for Dress for Success at table - 1
• Document event - 1
• Pick up donations from offices on campus - 3
• Deliver blankets and pet shelter items - 1

Additional Info/Resources:

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/how-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes/

https://greaterorlando.dressforsuccess.org/get-involved/donate/

https://www.giz.de/en/downloads/giz2021-en-promoting-sustainability-textile-industry.pdf

Bio Plastics Guidelines

What are bioplastics?

Bioplastics are made wholly or in part from renewable biomass sources such as sugarcane and corn, or from microbe such as yeast. ... Bioplastics made from renewable resources can be naturally recycled by biological processes, thus limiting the use of fossil fuels and protecting the environment.

Assignment:

Explore the process for making bioplastics. So that we can employ sustainable practices, work sessions will be scheduled during class time. This will allow us, as a group, to utilize and not waste materials.

Guidelines:

• Each student required to have at least six (6) pieces of bio plastic that  demonstrate time and effort with experimenting. 
• Each sample should be no smaller than 2" square. 

Materials: 

Are provided in the studio. 

Post the following information on your blog:

• At least one (1) in-process image. 
• Professional images of final solution. Can be individual images or you can arrange solutions in small groups. 

Bioplastics are biodegradable materials that come from renewable sources and can be used to reduce the problem of plastic waste that is suffocating the planet and contaminating the environment. Does it make any sense to continue using packaging that can take centuries to disappear to pack products that only last days or months?

Plastic is the third most commonly used petroleum derivative in the world; each year 200 million tons of plastic are consumed on the planet. It comes from a non-renewable source (petroleum), it is contaminating and non-biodegradable (it can take more than 1000 years to decompose).

More to see and read from Active Sustainability. Link below:

https://www.activesustainability.com/environment/what-are-bioplastics/?_adin=02021864894

Dye Experiments Assignment Guidelines

Introduction

Natural dyes are extracted from particular roots, wood, bark, leaves, flowers, nuts, insects, shellfish and mineral compounds. 

Colors derived from food sources are fugitive, meaning the color will fade over time. Certain food sources provide stronger and longer lasting color; turmeric, red onion skins, black tea, avocado pits/skins and frozen mixed berries are the best bets with, in my opinion, turmeric and black tea holding the most color over a longer period of time. Since we are not making wearables (items that will be laundered) and each student working at home in their kitchen, these food sources are suitable for the online course. 

Assignment:

Explore the various processes of natural dye. So that we can employ sustainable dyeing practices, dye sessions will be scheduled during class time. This will allow us, as a group, to utilize and exhaust several dye pots. We will work together to set up dye baths and clean up. Natural dyes are provided for the students.

Also provided, a yard of 100% cotton PFD (prepared for dye) fabric for each student. 

Shibori will be introduced so students can explore various methods of creating pattern/marks on the fabric. The verb "shibori" means to "wring, squeeze, press" in Japanese. 

Student Work:

Go to right column and search "Dye Experiments Student Work" or click on link below. If you do not see right column, scroll to bottom and click on "web version" so you have access to the right column index. 

https://textilesatflaglercollege.blogspot.com/search/label/Dye%20Experiments%20Student%20Work

Guidelines:

• Each student required to have at least 12 pieces of fabric that demonstrate dye color and Shibori techniques. 
• Each piece demonstrates time and effort. At least six (6) pieces should contain at least two colors. 
• Fabric pieces should be similar in size. Each student given a yard of PFD (prepared for dye) fabric to divide into 12 pieces. 
• Fabric put in the dye baths must be prepared for dyeing. Do not bring fabric/clothes from home and place in dye baths. This fabric will contaminate the dye bath. 

When is this assignment due?

• Due date announced in class and posted on course calendar. 
• Each student required to have at least 12 pieces of dyed fabric that demonstrate time and effort regarding Shibori techniques and color layers. 
• -5 points for not submitting work on due date. -5 points for each class late thereafter. 

How do I prepare the work to turn in on the due date? 

• Stack all samples, with left side aligned.
• Write your name on piece of paper, place on top of the stack, aligned left. 
• Binder clip the fabric and paper with your name on left side. 
• Ironing the fabric is optional. 

Materials:

• Students Required To Purchase:
• Fabric Scissors
• Must be fabric scissors, not regular scissors. Fabric scissors needed to cut fabric. Regular scissors do not cut fabric. 
• Thread Cutters. Small tipped fabric scissors and/or seam ripper. can also work. 
• Needed to pull out Shibori stitches. 
• Sewing Needle with a large eye. 
• Optional. 
• 100% super strong nylon upholstery thread. Needed for Shibori stitching. I have this thread available in the studio for students to share while working in the studio. If you purchase your own, you do not have to share and can take home for homework. 
• Optional. 
• A pair of rubber gloves that reach beyond your wrist. 
• Please write your name with a Sharpie on the gloves. You can purchase at grocery store. 
• Optional
• An apron for the days we use natural dyes. Or wear old clothes. 
• Purchase information for items listed above on the class blog. Search right index column for Materials List or link here. https://textilesatflaglercollege.blogspot.com/2024/02/materials-list-for-textiles-and-natural.html

Schedule:

Day 1

Students receive PFD fabric and experiment with Shibori stitches in class. Continue to work on stitches for homework. Must have at least six (6) pieces of fabric that attempted Shibori stitching. The other six (6) pieces can utilize Shibori folding techniques. 

Step 2

Continue Shibori stitching. Complete Shibori stitching and folding on all 12 pieces of fabric. 

Step 3

Beginning of class, students work together to set up dye baths. Dye fabric that has been Shibori stitched and folded. 

Step 4

Continue to exhaust dye baths. Last day we will dye as a class. Dye baths will be available for students to use on their own for about a week. 

Shibori:

Source unknown. Please email lmongiovi@flagler.edu with source. 

 

Student Work. Timaree McKenny. 

Jeni Baker

https://www.incolororder.com/2013/07/indigo-dyeing.html

Additional Information:

• The dyes we use in class are purchased from Botanical Colors. The website offers a wealth of information regarding dyeing. I suggest you check out the site if you are interested in expanding your natural dye knowledge. 
• https://botanicalcolors.com/

• Many natural dyers post on Instagram. Check out the natural dye posts to glean info and ideas. Important, foods such as cabbage and black beans are not natural dyes. 

• Facebook has a group for natural dyers. Always helpful information and ideas in the group. 

• The cotton I provide is purchased from Dharma Trading Company and is PFD (prepared for dyeing). You can purchase by the yard. If you have any questions about any product on Dharma website, give them a call - they are super helpful. 
•  https://www.dharmatrading.com/fabric/cotton/kona-cotton-pfd-45-inch.html