Participate

Thank you for your interest in the Forget M.E. Not collective quilt project! Here are some ways to get involved:

Sign up to embroider a square (for those who have M.E.)

Learn about M.E.

Support M.E. research and education

Embroider a Square

The Forget M.E. Not quilt is a way to share your story of living with M.E. through textile art. As the quilt squares travel from participant to participant in each group of four, you will learn each other’s stories while you add your own.

Here's how it works:

Sign-up through this form.

I'll mail the fabric and instructions.

You'll have 2-4 weeks to embroider your design within a 3.5-inch square.

Take a photo and complete the submission form.

Mail the package to the next participant.

When all the embroidered squares are returned, quilt assembly begins!

Timeline

May 2026

Mail fabric to first participant in each group

June to December 2026

Embroidery; fabric travels among groups of 4 participants

January 2027

Block and piece quilt top

January 2027

Design of quilting inside the squares

February to March 2027

Transfer quilting design

April 2027 to November 2028

Hand stitch quilt

December 2028

Hand bind quilt

January 2028

Ongoing display/use

Creative Process

Your embroidery must fit within a 3.5-inch square on the fabric. Beyond that, it’s up to you! Feel free to get creative: embellishments, mixed media, whatever you like.

Please ensure it doesn’t get too heavy, and keep in mind that the quilt will need to be washed and ironed.

Inspiration

Don’t overthink it! If it feels right to you, it is right. It can be literal, figurative, symbolic, or abstract.

Consider:

What do you want others to see?
What causes you hope? grief? comfort?
What does M.E. feel like to you?
How has M.E. changed your relationships to your community? environment? world?

Embroidery Resources

RSN Stitch Bank

Step-by-step tutorials with photos and videos for over 500 embroidery stitches.

Needle 'n Thread

In-depth lessons on different embroidery stitches and techniques, and information on transferring embroidery designs to the fabric.

Tips for Embroidering with M.E.

Remember to pace! Consider using a timer or a heart rate monitor.

When seated, you may want to use a hoop, a stand, and embroider with both hands.

When reclined, it may be easier to not use a hoop.

Your health comes first! Don’t push yourself to complete the embroidery if it is not working for you. Feel free to contact me if you have questions, or to make alternative arrangements.

Video Transcript

For embroidering with M.E., there are some considerations worth keeping in mind.

Here's how I embroider. First, I transfer my design using a heat soluble pen and a light source such as a tablet.

The back stays neat, but I start with knots and don't worry about little tangles or travels.

The batting hides some of this. When I'm ready to start, I use a timer and heart rate alarms.

Pacing well for your health is much more important than any project.

Using pillows and props, I find a comfortable and ergonomic position.

This is now much easier with an adjustable bed frame.

Attatched to this, I have a hoop stand and task lighting with magnification.

For me, this is easier than disperse lighting for light sensitivity.

Most days I embroider like this. I find it's the most energy-effective and precise method, though it requires a more upright position.

Using less tools and a more reclined posture, one could also hold the hoop in one hand and stitch with the other. Here I demonstrate stab stitching, which requires more movement and energy than two-handed stitching, but is essentially the same movement.

Alternatively, one could loosen the tension in their hoop and sew stitch.

Theoretically, this is more movement efficient as the sewing hand remains above the hoop. So, it should save you energy, but I'm not very practiced and find it quite difficult.

On worse days orthostatically, when I still feel able to embroider, I do so lying down.

One could use any of the previously demonstrated embroidery techniques, though it's much more difficult in a reclined position. I find it easiest to do a simple running stitch by manipulating the fabric with my left hand and the needle with my right.

If I want a solid line, I simply rotate the fabric and repeat the motion in between my stitches, creating a double running stitch.

I'd love to hear what enables you to embroider with M.E. Happy stitching.

Contact us

Please email us with any questions at adrienne.forgetmenot@gmail.com.