Note from Weeks:
Both my husband and daughter are restless sorts. When our daughter was little and we went to a restaurant, Bill would take her out to run up and down the sidewalk while I paid the bill so she wouldn’t start squirming at the table. Those kids who kick the back of your seat on planes have the same issue. Therapists refer to them as “sensory seeking.” One therapist explained to me that the way I would feel if I sat in a car for ten hours straight is how she feels after sitting for one hour. So we walk to school instead of taking the bus that stops in front of our house, ride our bikes everywhere we can and are mindful that if she gets her antsies out, it’s easier for her to focus.
Bill has talked for years about finding a way to create a heavy blanket that would calm his and our daughter’s restless muscles. Last Friday they finally made one for her. It’s only a matter of time before they end up making another one for Bill. So I thought I’d let Bill guest write for me today to share with all of you his adventures in making weighted blankets:
Like me, our daughter is frequently restless and, at the end of the day, often asks for a heavy quilt on her legs or for a deep-muscle massage. She finds it calming in the way I do when a dentist drapes the heavy lead x-ray apron on my chest. The weight soothes me deeply and instantly. I considered looking on ebay for an old lead apron to replicate this feeling, but decided there must be a way to make something similar. I did a quick search for “weighted blanket” and it opened up a new world.
Little did I know that weighted blankets and vests are in widespread use as therapeutic devices for children and adults with sensory conditions including ADD and autism. Many cottage industries have sprung up making these blankets. I discovered general directions about making them yourself, so I had to give it a try. I’ve put what I learned into the following illustrated tutorial and downloadable pattern. Thanks to all who helped me by posting their approaches.
You should ask your doctor or physical therapist whether to use a weighted blanket, and if so what the best weight is. This pattern is intended to show how to construct such a blanket, not what is the best size or weight for you or your child.
The general rule of thumb to determine an appropriate weight for a blanket is 1/10th the child’s body weight plus 1 pound. So a 70-pound child would need a blanket weighing 7+1, or 8 pounds.
I’ve read of people filling weighted blankets with everything from rice to beans to sand, but those risk harboring mold. The most practical filling I read about was Fairfield weighted poly pellets, made for dolls and small stuffed animals. ( $6.99 for a 2-pound bag at wards5and10) These can be machine washed and dried on gentle. I used flannel for one side and a smooth cotton batik for the other, giving warm and cool weather options.
You can make your blanket any size and weight you want. The downloadable pattern is for an 8-pound, 40” x 52” blanket divided into 4” squares. To determine the amount of filling needed for each square, I divided the weight I wanted (8 pounds, or 128 ounces) by the total number of 4” squares (130.) The amount of filling needed for each square was about 1oz per square. While intended for her, it feels great as a shawl for me too.
I sewed the front and back together, and stitched vertical channels 4” apart (this is all detailed on the downloadable pattern at the end.) Using a postal scale, I weighed 1 ounce of pellets in a small cup and put a tape marker at the fill line. If you don’t have a sensitive scale, you could take a little baggie of pellets to your local post office and see if they’ll weigh them for you.
I set out one glass for each of the vertical channels and our daughter had fun filling each with 1 ounce of pellets.
She then poured the measured pellets into each of the channels..
After filling each vertical channel, I sewed across horizontally, sealing those pellets into squares. We filled and sewed row after row.
It does become a bit cumbersome to sew as it reaches its full weight, as you can imagine from this photo taken at the halfway stage. We kept a broom and dustpan handy for minor spills which were more frequent as it got heavier! Once fully filled, I top stitched the end seam.
The downloadable pattern has more details about the measurements and construction.
Not only was it fun to make together, but she has become incredibly attached to the blanket. Eager to try it myself, I tried to sneak it off her after she fell asleep that first night. Though normally a deep sleeper, she woke just enough to murmer, “May I have my blanket back?”
The next morning she carried it down the stairs to the breakfast table and even brings it with her in the car when we have to run long errands. This blanket is so calming to her that we promised we’d make one to keep in the car. Who knew that a few bags of plastic pellets could have such a calming effect?
28 Comments
This is so cool, I wonder if one would help me??? Going to try it, seems like since I retired I have what I call restless legs all the time, but especially at night.
When I was a child a slept with an old fashioned, very-heavy sleeping bag, two wool blankets and a quilt because I liked the weight on me. My parents also liked tha they could keep the heat turned down : )
Wow! I didn’t know this was a common problem. I sleep with many blankets even in the summer and have very restless muscles. I think I might have to try making one of these for myself. Thank you so much for posting about this!!
Thank you so much for posting this!! I’m thinking about making something like this for my toddler now. If not a full blanket, at least a crib-sized one. Hmm…
Two sensory people in our house over here! Thank you so much for posting directions on how to do this. Now that the Tongginator is in kindergarten, I may actually attempt this. We need one for her, but the ones you can find on-line are pretty cost-prohibitive. Thanks so much!
What a sweet and lovely girl Sophie is…and helpful too.
We love our weighted blanket although, can’t sew a stitch so we purchased ours from DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets. The blanket backing is smooth on one side which we didn’t find in other blankets. They have a monthly drawing for a free weighted blanket. You can enter at their website.. it is http://www.weightedblanket.net.
I love this! My husband has to have light cover, but I just can not sleep that way. I’m excited about trying this blanket but making it just wide enough for my side of the bed. I’m glad you found a solution for your little one. Thanks!
I’d never heard of a weighted blanket before now, but it sounds wonderful! I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sew-a-calming-weighted-blanket/2009/09/07/
–Anne
Thank you so much for this tutorial!!! I’m a teacher and I work with children autism. Many of my students have the sensory issues you referred to. I have been looking for a pattern for a weighted lap blanket to no avail. This tutorial is a blessing and just in time for the new school year. Thank you again!
THANK YOU!!! Your tutorial is just what I’ve been looking for to help me make a weighted blanket for my nephew. Your directions and photos are great (love the ones of your daughter helping) and your design looks easy and affordable. Your efforts will benefit many people! Thanks again.
Congratulations!
I’m occupational therapist in Portugal and i think that you had a wonderful idea! I felt proud about you, also as a mother, because you found a way to compensate your daughter needs, alone!!! This means that you really understand her needs.
I posted your picture in my young blog, because i’m very “green” in this “crafter world” and i was surprised with the fact of find something that’s related with my job.
Now, i invite you to visit my humble blog and to know me a little. I don’t write in english there, but pictures are universal, aren’t they? So, You’ll be very welcome.
Wow-this is fantastic! When I was little I used to love sleeping at my grandmother’s becuase she would pile heavy afghans on me until it was hard to move my arms and legs. I loved it! I might have to give this a shot. Thanks so much for sharing! I’ll be linking to this as well.
I was always one of those kids that used to pile blankets on the bed and sweat to death in the summer because I needed the weight of the quilts to get me to sleep. I going to have to make one of these. Thanks for sharing!!
Hi there! I love this project! I have made a few weighted blankets in my own design (in channels instead of pocket-sized ones, though I love love love the pocket idea) for my daughter as well who has sensory integration disorder and autism. I would love to do a feature of you on my blog. It was recently moved to a new location (http://reclaimingthehome.blogspot.com/), but has been previously active for 2 years as a companion blog to a large message board of homemakers that I run. If you would be interested in doing an interview for a blog feature on the site, facebook, and message board, I would be honored. My email address is homegrownrose@gmail.com. Thank you!
I have a 110 pound 19 yo Aspy who needed one of these and we found the price for 20+ pounds of pellets prohibitive. We improvised by sewing 5/8 in channels and filling the channels with marbles from the dollar store. Cost less than $10 for enough marbles for a 45″ by 36″ rectangle. Since it is so heavy and would be difficult to wash, I made “duvet covers” for it in various flannels and nappy fabrics because he likes the feel of those fabrics.
Just another option to consider!
Edie
thanks so much for this — I’ve been meaning to make a weighted blanket for some time, for one of my nieces who is severely “special needs”. I’ve printed out the tutorial and ordered my bags of pellets (Fabric Depot in Portland, OR is another inexpensive supplier). Can’t wait to deliver it and see how she likes it…
Hi — I finished my blanket and posted it on my blog with a link to yours. Thanks again for the instructions!
I just discovered this page via StumbleUpon and I had to comment, I always sleep under tons of blankets, as well as three cats! It never occurred to me that the weight is what helps relax me, but it makes perfect sense now! Thanks for the heads-up as well as the lovely tutorial.
As a kid, I was afraid of something “getting” me, so I slept under covers at all times. Then, as an adult, I found myself struggling to stay secure while trying not to create a bed-sauna.
I worked in a medical office with my x-ray tech mom, and I would borrow her lead aprons to nap with on my lunch breaks. I always ask to keep them on at the dentist, too.
I now have a son who will just PILE blankets on at night, no matter the weather, and I will definitely be looking into making one of these for him.
Thanks!
Wow! The dentist example hit home for me! I never realized it but I am really relaxed when that put that goofy thing on and I’m always so sad when they take it away… almost empty!
Wow, maybe this is why I always want something heavy on my legs at night– I feel very restless without it. i think both me and my kids need these. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for posting this. I am a mental health counselor as well as a sewer! I had never heard of these blankets before and am so glad to know about them!
Hey Bill,
I have to tell you that reading this brought tears to my eyes. You are a super dad and your daughter is so lucky to have a father that will do projects like this with her.
Thanks for making my day
Li
I was wondering if this is very hot, since I am not only a restless legs sufferer but also sometimes experience night sweats. I would LOVE to have the additional weight without the additional heat. I can’t “weight” to make one. Thanks for posting this.
A few years ago, I made “lap weights” for a classroom with kids that needed to learn to sit quietly and listen. Our sensory challenged students asked for the weights during “circle time”. I made several types, some with stretchy lycra on one side and flannel on the other side. and some with smooth fabric and fuzzy fabric. Not only did the students like the weight, they liked touching and pulling on the fabrics.
Very cool! I learned a lot reading this, and it is such a great how to for a craft project. I think if you make this for a child, you have to make 2 (in case one gets lost or the child has to be parted from it while it is in the laundry) :-)
I just finished making one that is 76″ by 60″ and 21lbs. I love it and even brought it with me when going to a friends to go skiing for the weekend. Just thought everyone would like to know that Michael’s the craft store has them for $7.99 for a 2 pound bag, but then you can get printable coupons for either 40% or 50% off. Either google for printable coupons or check your local paper for coupons which there usually always is. I managed to get all my pellets for around 2 bucks a pound this way.
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[...] Craft Nectar made a weighted blanket for her daughter because of its calming properties, and shares a tutorial showing how she did it. According to her blog, weighted blankets are sometimes used as a therapy for ADD, autism, and other sensory conditions. Please note that you need to consult your physician to determine whether this kind of blanket would be helpful and the amount of weight that is appropriate. Go to the tutorial to find out how to make one. [...]
[...] Craft Nectar has a great tutorial on how to make a weighted blanket. Pookie does like the deep pressure of things like this, alot of kids with Autism do, but so far it has not been a huge issue. I do wonder, however, if this is something he would like. I am putting this on my “maybe” list. It really is a good idea, and she gives very good instructions. [...]
[...] was really difficult and I’ve decided I never want to make anything again. We used this plan, which meant sewing vertical columns 4 inches apart. Then, dividing out the beads so they were [...]