Bringing back memories with special blanket

Members of the public were encouraged to get involved in a digital embroidery workshop to make a '˜memory blanket' for people living with dementia.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th May 2017, 19:15 BST
Updated 4th Jun 2017, 21:27 BST
Textile Artist, Karina Thompson making a memory blanket for residents at Ashfield Lodge Care Home. Pictured with daycare co-ordinator at Ashfield Lodge, Cheryl Chadwick (right). EMN-170519-164936001Textile Artist, Karina Thompson making a memory blanket for residents at Ashfield Lodge Care Home. Pictured with daycare co-ordinator at Ashfield Lodge, Cheryl Chadwick (right). EMN-170519-164936001
Textile Artist, Karina Thompson making a memory blanket for residents at Ashfield Lodge Care Home. Pictured with daycare co-ordinator at Ashfield Lodge, Cheryl Chadwick (right). EMN-170519-164936001

The free drop-in workshop was part of the opening weekend of new exhibition, Made in The Middle, at the National Centre for Craft and Design in Sleaford.

The exhibition presents the works of makers across the Midlands region and one of the artists, Birmingham-based Karina Thompson, worked with the public to help assemble memories of older people into a blanket for Ashfield Lodge Care Home, based nearby in the town, using a range of digital embroidery and other sewing techniques. The blanket is called ‘The Remembered Hug’. Local textiles groups also helped.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The NCCD’s Learning Co-ordinator collected memories from residents at the home to be integrated. One visitor, Penny, said: “My friend’s mum is in Ashfield Lodge. I like sewing and I wanted to come and help. My aunt had dementia for seven years.”

Karina also ran a dementia friendly session for local people and care home residents.

Related topics:BirminghamNational Centre for Craft and Design