I make weighted blankets for our Project Linus group. I have made 412 in 3 years and donated them. We take two pieces of 1 yard x width of fabric and sew them in a tube. We use velcro on both sides of the empty tube to be able to to remove the rolled sheets/towels/bath blankets that we use to stuff them. After the velcro is sewn on both openings, we then stitch a seam down the middle lengthwise. Turn the blanket and sew 6 evenly spaced tubes on the short side. Roll your blankets/towels/sheets and stuff them into the tubes. The weight of the blanket should not weigh more than 10% of the bodyweight plus 1 pound of the child. The child must be able to move the blanket should they need to get up in the middle of the night. If you need more help, please pm me and I will send you a pattern.
Schools use them as a calming tool during classes. It is sensory issues. They can be made out of duck cloth, cotton, denim, corduroy, I prefer to use a solid and a print that the child likes. Some of the children are non-verbal so to find something that makes them excited and responsive is a huge +.