I made the heavy blanket for my autistic grandson
 

Thanks to everyone who made suggestions for how to make a heavy blanket for my grandson. I forgot to take a picture before I wrapped and sent it to him. I'll ask them to take a picture of him using it and send it to me.

I decided to make it out of jeans. I bought 10 humungous pairs at Savers on a Wed, 30% off day for seniors. I made alternate 8 inch blocks of pinwheels and 4 patches - all pieces cut with Accuquilt. Without my Accuquilt, my hand would have been paralyzed! My DIL said the recommendation was to make it crib size, so I made it 4 X 7 blocks, with a 3inch border. I sewed leg panels together to make the back. The jeans had been washed so many times, that they had that wonderful smooth feeling that old jeans have.

Next problem was what to use for weights inside the quilt/blanket. The 'real' ones use either smooth, sanitized river rock or plastic pellets. I could not find either (though I could order the pellets from Hobby Lobby). Of course, I needed them yesterday, so I went to Jo Ann's and found 1# packages of plastic beads. Perfect! And washable! I had enough 50% coupons to cut the total cost by $20! I sewed individual 1/2# bags (like bean bags) of flannel (from stash).

I 'birthed' top and back on 3 sides, using 1/2" seams. Then starting on the bottom, I sewed the side seams of the blocks in the first row, added the bags, sewed the top seam; ditto for each row until it was finished. Boyohboy, if you think wrestling with quilting a king size quilt is fun, you should have seen me wrestling with this baby! It weighed 14 pounds when it was finished. But it looks great, and I'm proud of myself for making it.

I would love to see a picture of your quilt and I'm also interested in how it works for your gs.

WOW! Hope this will work for him and blessyou for making it and wrestling it around to finish.

delma

I don't understand what a heavy blanket would do for an autistic child. I don't any children with it. Good for you.

Please show a picture when you can! In our room we use the weighted vest for one little guy, but I am sure his mom would be interested in the blanket. :)

I am interested in knowing why the heavy blanket, comforting or made to stay on better?

You should be very proud of yourself for tackling & finishing the quilt. It sounds great. I hope it helps your GS!

The weight of the blanket is calming to them. My son is Autistic and he loves getting under lots of blankets and snuggling in under the weight.

Many people with autism have sensory issues. Lots of times heavy or confining blankets or clothing can be soothing to them.

Deep pressure (which is provided by the heavy blanket) is very good for many children, not just autistic children. It works for some kids with sensory integration issues, attention deficit disorder, etc. my son would react very adversely to light touch (as a preemie in the NICU). Lots of kids like the security and feeling/sensory input of a weighted blanket. We even put weighted vests on some kids in the school and it really helps.
I am sure your DGS will love the quilt. Make sure you post pictures.