Weighted Blanket - HELP!
 

Once again I turn to my quilting circle of friends on the board!

I have a granddaughter who needs a "weighted blanket" for her therapy. I've found a few sites online with directions on how to make them. I figured I'd piece a top for her out of her favorite characters etc.

My question is - have any of you made these? If so can you give me any hints or pointers?

Thanks in advance for any and all advice!!!
Carrie

as always, when doing any type of therapeutic tool, i would make it washable. the blanket sites show polystyrene pellets or glass beads inside them... while they may be advertised as washable, it is much better not to have to wash them any more often than necessary or the pellets will break down in time. why not make the weighted part of the blanket between two sheets and then make something similar to a duvet cover with all the cute things you want to do that will button or zip or velcro off and wash quickly and easily.

Somewhere back in the "awhile ago" someone on this board made heavy quilts for therapy. Try looking in the tutorial section.

That is a great idea. Sort of what I was thinking - but you came up with better details! THANKS! I was afraid of the pellets breaking down - even though they are washable, I wondered how much/often they were. My GD is not even 2 years old yet so I am assuming this blanket will get tons of washings. Thanks again for the ideas!!!

If you're going with the separate cover idea (which is brilliant, btw) I'd use water resistant or water proof material for the weighted piece. I do this with the dogs' beds in case someone has an accident or throws up on the bed; that way the interior is safe from the "mess" and I only have to worry about the cover.

At two years old, your GD's going to puke on her blanket at some point. ;)

I could not locate the tutorial but if you go to whatever search engine (I have goggle) and type in How to make a weighted blanket, there are several patterns to review. Good luck

ditto ... my recollection is that the thread was titled "fidget quilt" or something similar

I just searched my history, but didn't find what I was looking for. There is a blog out in cyberspace that has patterns and talks about this type of blanket and what it does for the kids and possible for the aged dementia/Alzheimer's person. What they did was make a quilt top with pockets with velcro closure and put 2 oz of pellets in a sealed bag. That way you can add or subtract the ounces needed also you can add more row as the child grows when needed. The general rule of thumb is to have the blanket weight 10% of the person's body weight. They say that these work wonders for calming.... good luck and keep us posted!

How about making a ragged edged quilt with denim? I'm in the process of making one for my wheelchair bound GS using old jeans; it will be 2 layers of denim with flannel in between.

There is a pattern for a weighted blanket on www.craftnectar.com. Even tells you how much weight to use for body size. Hope this helps.

Mountainmammo