Join this hands-on workshop in Sydney and learn to create a fidgety blanket — a comforting sensory tool used to support those living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, autism, or sensory processing challenges. These blankets feature tactile elements like zippers, buttons, textured fabrics, beads, and ribbons that help promote calmness, reduce anxiety, and keep hands engaged.
During this six-hour course, you'll explore the principles of sensory design, choose appropriate safe materials, and learn step-by-step sewing techniques. You'll leave the class with a completed, personalised blanket designed for someone in your care — blending creativity with compassion.
Perfect for carers, educators, health professionals, or anyone wanting to create a therapeutic object for someone in need.
By the end of this fidgety blanket course, you should be able to:
- Recognise the therapeutic purpose and benefits of fidgety blankets
- Select suitable fabrics, colours, textures, and sensory components for different user needs
- Construct a safe, durable blanket using foundational sewing and assembly techniques
- Attach features such as zips, ribbons, toggles, beads, buttons, and pockets securely and thoughtfully
- Apply design strategies that support calmness, sensory engagement, and fine motor activity
- Produce a completed fidgety blanket with a personalised sensory layout
Course content
Session 1: Understanding, planning and starting your fidgety blanket
- What fidgety (sensory) blankets are and how they support wellbeing
- Benefits for people living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, autism, anxiety, and sensory regulation
- Safety and user-centred design considerations
- Overview of suitable fabrics, textures, colours, and sensory components
- Planning a balanced sensory layout and feature placement
- Preparing, cutting, and layering the blanket base
- Introduction to machine-sewing techniques used in the project
- Beginning construction of the blanket
Session 2: Construction, finishing and care
- Continuing construction and reinforcing the blanket
- Securely attaching sensory features such as zips, ribbons, toggles, buttons, beads, and pockets
- Placement for comfort, accessibility, and fine motor engagement
- Final assembly and edging
- Checking durability and safety
- Washing, care, and maintenance guidelines
- Ideas for personalisation and adapting designs for future blankets
By the end of the course, you’ll take home a completed fidgety blanket designed with comfort, care, and creativity in mind.
Details
You will learn
- Understand the therapeutic purpose and benefits of fidgety blankets
- Select appropriate fabrics and design layouts for sensory impact
- Construct a safe, personalised sensory blanket using sewing techniques
You will get
- Hands-on instruction and support from an experienced tutor
- All materials to make your fidgety blanket
- A completed fidgety blanket to take home
Appropriate for
Carers, aged-care and support workers, teachers, therapists, family members, and craft enthusiasts interested in sensory wellbeing.
Preparation
What to bring
- Notebook and pen for notes
- Reading glasses if required for detail work
- A positive, creative attitude
What to wear
Casual
Your Teacher
About Desi Parker
Desi is a creative, dedicated educator with many years of experience inspiring learners through hands-on, practical teaching. With a background that blends artistic skill, community engagement, and a long-standing commitment to adult education, she brings both expertise and warmth to every class she leads.
Across her teaching career, Desi has developed a reputation for making learning accessible, enjoyable, and deeply rewarding. She has worked with a wide range of students, from complete beginners discovering a new creative outlet to experienced participants looking to refine and extend their abilities. Her approach is grounded in patience, encouragement, and a genuine belief in the value of lifelong learning. Desi understands that each student arrives with a different story and skill set, and she creates a supportive environment where confidence grows through practice, exploration, and thoughtful guidance.
Her creative practice spans textiles, craft-based design, and practical making skills, all informed by her eye for detail and her passion for creating items with purpose and meaning. Whether she is teaching sewing techniques, sensory textile design, or hands-on craft projects, Desi combines structured instruction with an appreciation for individual expression. Students consistently describe her classes as welcoming, well-paced, and filled with practical insights they can immediately put into action.
Beyond her classroom experience, Desi is committed to the broader principles of community education: connection, empowerment, and the sharing of skills that enrich everyday life. She believes strongly in the role of creativity as a tool for wellbeing and engagement, and her work continues to reflect this philosophy.
Desi’s teaching is shaped by both her experience and her enthusiasm, making her a trusted and inspiring guide for anyone looking to learn, create, and develop new skills.
Organized by
Sydney Community College
38 reviewsSydney Community College is a registered charity with a voluntary Board of Directors.
The College has a mission to offer innovative continuing adult education and training programmes that support individual efforts and facilitate sustainable social change.
We do this by:
- Providing quality continuing adult education opportunities for people to build practical and theoretical skills and develop knowledge;
- Leveraging from and developing community capacity and inclusivity;
- Developing innovative affordable and accessible skills training programmes;
- Partnering with like organisations to deliver learning opportunities for disadvantaged individuals and communities;
- Partnering with all levels of government to deliver education policy objectives.
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a full refund.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
- A refund can be requested 10 days before class starts. An admin fee of AU$45.00 applies.
Terms & Conditions
At Sydney Community College, we know that plans can change unexpectedly. Whether it’s a shift in your schedule, a family emergency, or just a change of heart, we want to support you in the fairest way possible.
At the same time, we’re a not-for-profit organisation that commits resources to running each class—so last-minute cancellations can significantly impact our ability to offer quality, affordable programs.
That’s why we’ve created a simple, transparent policy that balances your need for flexibility with our need to plan and deliver courses sustainably. Our cancellation policy offers two clear options, depending on when you notify us:
Cancel More Than 10 Days Before the Course Starts – You can choose to receive a full refund, minus a $45 administration fee OR a non-refundable credit note valid for 12 months for the full value you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Option 2: Cancel Within 10 Days of the Course Starting - You’ll receive a credit note valid for 12 months for 50% of the course fee you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Please note that both refund and credit options are only available before the course begins. Once the course has started—or if you decide to withdraw after it has commenced—no refunds or credits can be issued. If you need to cancel your enrolment, just email us and we’ll take care of it based on the timelines above.
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Fidgety Blanket Making
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