IT has taken local craft person, Rita Tomic, five years to complete 580 'Fiddle Quilts' a project that she has loved doing and has kept her creative mind working.

Fiddle Quilts started after a local nurse working at the Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne first suggested the quilts as a therapy for dementia patients, sick children and now for some patients arriving at the emergency department of the hospital.

Nurse Sue Thompson of Barjarg said the fiddle quilts often calm a stressed patient and in some cases saves on having to use drip infusions.

The activities on the quilts also give idle hands – especially in children – something to occupy them, taking their mind off health problems.

Fiddle quilts are a fabricated 'mat' with often patchwork on one side and a range of touch and feel objects on the front.

They are created using many different items, bright colors, shapes and patterns.

Objects sewn onto them can include cotton reels, faux fur fabric, beads, headbands, buckles, zips, shoe laces, patches, pockets, bows, embroidery and on a couple small gloves.

Some objects are created such as crocheted ties, strings, shaped hearts and animals while other bits and pieces are just 'left overs' from other crafts.

Rita said the Mansfield CWA ladies often keep their left over bits and pieces to be used and the ladies there crochet little things to be accommodated onto the quilts.

Another of the craft group, Linda Tucker has designed the animal shapes to be created from different fabrics and includes dogs and frogs – often familiar pets for children.

Butterflies are popular, created from double layers of material, attached through the centre and leaving the wings to 'flap'.

Each patient that receives a fiddle quilt is gifted with that handmade piece and gets to keep them and takes them home.