I am going to school to become a special education teacher and hope to work with kids who have autism. For the last year and a half I have had the privilege to volunteer in a classroom at an elementary school. The teacher has been great and is always excited to teach me something new or to have me teach lessons to the class (there are 10 kids all together in the class). I would like to make a small (lap size) puzzle quilt for the kids to use in the class. I would also like to make it weighted but am unsure how to do this. Does anyone have any suggestions, thank you. Oh, I also don't plan on using the typical autism awareness puzzle colors. The boys really like Thomas The Train so I was thinking of doing different boy themed fabrics. They are kindergarten-3rd grade. Thank you for your help! :-D :-D

It sounds like an interesting project. What do you call a puzzle quilt?

I'm not sure what it's actually called, it just looks like a bunch of puzzle pieces. I also need to find a way to make it weighted (maybe add bean bags). But it also needs to be washable.

How about an I Spy type quilt where you used two of each block (or the same print in different colors) and have the kids try to match the squares?

That actually sounds like an awesome idea! easier too. I think they could use this as a game in the class and they could help each other too. I hadn't even thought of an I spy. But, I think this will work better. Thank you.

Would felted wool make it heavy enough? it could be used instead of batting. I remember grama's quilts, they were pretty heavy feeling and they had that for batting.

http://www.equiltpatterns.com/quiltp...products_id=53

http://hoffmanchallenge.com/download...watchesWeb.pdf

http://www.equiltpatterns.com/advanc...5e86e&x=22&y=4

The first one used to be free, but they are charging for it now. Also, go to the Search button on top - some of the members here have done some beautiful puzzler quilts.

All of these patterns look really great!! I must put this on my to do list, for some time in 2010!!
:D :D :D :D

Magnolia, looks like some great patterns. I congratulate you on your career. My nephew has autism. They are wonderful to work with. Thanks :thumbup:

Magnolia--Here is what lucyinthesky posted a while ago on the puzzle quilt. I hope it helps...I too want to put this on my list I have a mildly autistic grandson.

And here's how to do it with 8.5" unfinished blocks.

I showed the first yellow piece with its individual squares, so you can count and see the size.

The rest show the pieces you would actually cut... some of the lines got lost. Look at the green one, it's all intact. Or DL the Excel sheet, it shows up better. The darker black lines shows the block outline.

So from each color (to get 1 full puzzle piece), I'm going to cut:

2 3.5 x 8.5
1 4.5 x 2.5 (middle of same block)
2 2.5 x 2.5 (for the adjacent blocks)

To put it together, I take the 4.5 x 2.5 piece, and get 2 of the 2.5 x 2.5 from <b>different</b> blocks (ex, if I'm making the yellow block, and have the yellow 2.5 x 4.5 piece, I take 1 orange and 1 pink 2.5 x 2.5 square)(and here I have to be careful to keep track of what goes where). I have NOT used the 2.5 x 2.5 yellow squares. One will be used in the green block, and 1 will be used in whatever is above the yellow block. Sew them together.

Then to the top and bottom, sew the 2 3.5 x 8.5 strips. Tada, puzzle block!
(Download)

I guess the excell pic didn't down load, there is a posting called puzzling, you can search for it and I think this was on page 6 or 7. Good luck!!!