Weighted Blanket...anyone made one?
 

We just found out that our daughter has a sensory disorder and the OT suggested a weighted blanket. She said if I sew, I could make one cheaper than I could buy one because they tend to be high. I found a pattern, but where do I get the pellets? Are the ones at JoAnn's or Wal-Mart good?

Thanks.

This is from Project Linus.

http://www.projectlinus.org/patterns/wb.html

I have never made one of these, but the sheets sounded like an interesting alternative to the pellets.

There is a you-tube video on how to make and fill weighted blankets. Some people even use sand for weights. Bless you for taking the time to make the weighted blanket. It is so calming for the one who needs it. I do not know how to post a link, but just google making weighted blanket.

I bought pellets at Michael's and use non stretchable fleece.

Thanks. I think my daughter would like the pellets, just because of the feel of them, though I could make one with the pellets and one with the sheets to see which she likes best. This is all new to me but I want to do what I can to make it easier for her. She is just 4 years old and I am sure is confused. I think I will use a fleece type because I noticed when I put the tshirt type sheet on her bed today, she noticed right away and said "oooh soft."

Being that the OT is recommending it, ask for more input based on her experience, and her knowledge of your daughter.

Minky might be a consideration, if she likes soft and cuddly.

True. We go back next week so I can ask her then.

In my classroom we have some with premade beanbags, just because we found them cheap on oriental trading. I used 2 pieces of corduroy, stitched it pillowcase style, and then sewed tunnels from top to bottom. Then I would put a beanbag in each tunnel and sew across it the other direction, all the way up. That way it was a bunch of squares. We had some kids that were good at picking holes, so I liked to have self contained beanbags and a way to repair. You can also use course sand I'd you use a tine stitch length and reinforce it. The quilted style helps distribute the weight throughout. I also recommend making some kind of washable slip cover in a favorite texture fabric.

If weight doesn't do it for your darter, pressure might. Look into neoprene pressure vests. You can buy them, but there are ways to make them too. Weight and pressure have different effects on proprioception. You can also try weights on different parts of the body, even weighted hats. Let me know if you needmore ideas... I'm a special Ed teacher so used to being budget concious and creative.

We used a relatively light blanket, and rice was the easiest and cheapest filler option for our needs. I made removable tubes filled with rice, then inserted them into channels in the blanket.

I'd avoid actual beans -- they can sprout with moisture-- then smell horrid.

The pellets from Joanns or Michaels can get spendy in the quantities you need for a whole blanket -- several bags, at $10 to $14 each. Of course, compared to commercial weighted blankets, that's not too bad. And you could use coupons.

RST

The pellets are also sold under "doll weighting pellets." You might be able to find a better price, online.