Bradley 1

Quilting- Positive impacts on Mental Health

Quilting has been around for many generations. When quilting first began, it is likely that is was used
to create wadded work for warmth and protection as well as bring together women of all different
races according to Americana Encyclopedia. However, as time evolved, humans begin to realize that
quilting can be done in many different forms with multiple different fabrics. We start to see throughout
history, blankets, armour , underskirts ,waistcoats and much more come to life. Now in 2016, quilting
has much more meaning. It is commonly used as a therapeutic technique to help express individual
lives as well as continuing to bring together community of all different kinds of cultures and races.
Individual and personal benefits quilting provides.
Does it show a positive impact on Mental Health?
In 2014, an article was written by Lily Partland, describing Dr Madeline Fernbach
(Psychologist) opinion about the effects of quilting in Mental Health. Dr Fernbach first began quilting
when she was pregnant and now says that she believes quilting provides an emotional outlet for not
only herself but her clients as well. It is a great way to work through long suppressed feelings and
help map out personal lives said Dr. Fernback. While she believes Quilting therapy is useful in her
career of helping others, she says she would like to create two community quilts- a Depression Quilt
and a Grief Quilt- to help people come together and feel more connected in their struggles
and journeys. Quilting has been around for many generations; it is more that just the final product.
Quilting has been proven through multiple studies to show a positive impact on Mental Health and
wellness.
In addition, Candace Chase also has found quilting to be effective in therapeutic treatment. In
2003, Candace Chase went into anaphylactic shock just minutes after taking a prescribed dose of
Celebrex. During her recovery time, she states that she was depressed and lost focus with
everything. Quilting was helpful in regaining her focus on things as well as creating a boost in her

social life through the annual quilters shows. ; From individuals stories, it is clear to see as well as
state that quilting is effective as a therapeutic treatment in personal lives.

Experiments and Studies showing positivity in relation to quilting.

Does it show a positive impact on mental health?
Multiple studies have been conducted on the use of quilts in relation to Mental Health. However,
Emily Burt and Jacqueline Atkinsons (postgraduate student & professor of Mental Health) survey
results really stood out in their article from 2011 due to their personal educational backgrounds. In
2011, 29 semi-interviews were completed from women in local quilting groups to form together an
article showing the results of a study. According to Emily and Jacqueline, The participants found
quilting to be a productive use of time, created a strong social network, boosted self-esteem, &
created feelings of personal growth. In addition, the results show that the colors and different textile
pattern is psychologically uplifting to the participants. From a survey's results we can conclude that
quilting does have a positive impact on the mental health and is something we should consider
bringing back into our communities.
The use of quilting in mental health has proved it is beneficial but how beneficial? As
stated above, there are many surveys pertaining to quilting and mental health. However each survey
pertains to different groups of people; individuals, communities. In 2012, 24 Protestant Churches in
the US. Of the 24, Rhonda Wilson states that 27% of the respondents had a family member with a
mental illness and this stressful circumstance was largely ignored by others in the congregation.
Wilson also concluded that a majority of the families in churches wanted their church to support them
with their mental illness as well as recommend Mental Health professionals. In response to this, a
small Australian Christian Church gathered to create quilt with a young member of the congregation
suffering from mental distress. A mental health nurse and an expert patchwork quilt maker led the
group in the process of making the quilt. Church community members came from all over each taking
part. Rhonda Wilson states that together they promoted acceptance in both direction and helped in

socialism. Making each individual in communities and Churches all feel equal and important is
important. That is why quilting is effective in promoting mental health and bringing together people to
work as one.
In 2009, Olivia Washington (PhD), David Moxley (PhD), & Lois Garriott (LMSW) created
an article researching the women transitioning out of homelessness and the recovery processes
being used to cope with the consequences of being homeless. During the study, Olivia, David, & Lois
states that after LME group conducted multiple individual surveys, they chose 8 women. These 8
women would go on to share more of their experience as well as quilt together a patch showing their
individual journeys. Some individuals even quilted together poetry books describing what it was like
being homeless. The group met once a week for 5 weeks and each visit lasted close to two and a half
hours. When each individual completed their patch, it would then then be quilting unto the One Piece
at a Time, Over 50, and So What quilt. Olivia, David, & Lois state that The process of interacting
during the quilting experience provided participants with opportunities to learn more about each other
without the resistance and anxiety normally associated with more formal group work settings. There
is substantial evidence to prove that quilting is beneficial in not only individual lives but as well as
communities including all different walks of life.

Quilting in Communities.
Does is show a positive impact on Mental Health?
Quilting has brought together women of all different races and ethnicities. It has created communities
and bonded people for many years. In relation to that, a local quilting group has been meeting every
other Wednesday in Wessington for the last 10 years. Here is where they sew together hundreds of
quilts for our fellow soldiers in the Middle East. In February 2004, the first quilts were sent out to the
local army guard units in Iraq. As they put the final stitch into quilt number 1,077, they say they will
continue as long as we have people overseas. This continues to bring communities together and

help the ones who can't be with us. The quilts help us to grow, create friendships, and express our
love.
I believe quilting is effective in helping with Mental Illness as well as promoting growth and
bonds within our communities. The thing I love about quilting is the ability to express anything you
want. Quilts allows us to express how we feel, special events, past histories, etc. I think quilting
groups and professionals should team together to provide a way for everyone to come together.