Q Beta is a soft, accessible quilt that enables communication through voice messages assigned to each quilt square.

Springing from quilting's heritage of storytelling, Q Beta literally tells a story through recordable voice messages, creating relationships between images and sounds. Both audio and visual content are fully customizable.

Using the quilt is simple: touch a quilt square to record a message to that square, flip a switch to change modes, then touch the square again to playback the message. The electronic component of Q Beta connects through metal snaps making it completely detachable and allowing the quilt to be washed. The quilt itself is made of conductive fabric, conductive thread, cotton twill, batting, foam, muslin, cotton and polyester thread, and fabric glue.

Our goal in making the quilt was to facilitate speech therapy sessions for a non-verbal girl with Rhett Syndrome. We observed the pre-existing system in which she made associations between image and sound through her eye gaze. We wanted to extend this system, enabling her to make these choices physically despite her limited muscle control. The quilt can be placed on the wall, on a desk, on her lap or on the floor, depending on her muscle stamina and energy level.

Q Beta can be used as a socialization game for children, a personal messaging system that can be given as a sentimental gift, or a memorial quilt that allows for personal storytelling. "Do-It-Yourself Q Kits" provide a customizable design that encourages community building, communication through the process of construction, and the creation of a social artifact.

Q Beta is the work of six MPS candidates in the Interactive Telecommunications Program at NYU: Alice Tseng-Planas, Fiona Carswell, Kate Hartman, Kati London, Megan MacMurray, and Nanna Halinen. Please contact us with any questions at: info@qquilt.com.