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.

Perhaps the OT would have a source for getting the pellets at a wholesale price?

Consider the fillings ... beans explained above.
Rice (and any other food stuffs) ... might be of interest to mice.
Sand ... hhmmmmm? wonder if the cat would figure it out? and if it should get wet, and soggy?

Despite the costs, I think I would opt for the artificial ... besides, I'm sure you'd agree, that for your child is well worth it.

Also, the weight of the blanket/quilt needs to be 10% of the body weight. Lots of info on the net about these, especially with Autism headings.

I am the assistant coordinator for my local Project Linus, and we just recently tackled some of these weighted blankets. I learned a lot in the process.

First off, one member made one from the pattern with the sheets inside, and it is very nice -- it's heavy and it's all washable. It's also kind of costly (you have to buy a lot of sheets) and it's pretty darn heavy.

Another member made one with the pellets (also an expense) in the beanbag style described above by misskira. That worked out well, too.

We also made some with supplies we got at a local feed store -- dried peas, which made a nice round ball, and rolled wheat, I think it was. Both were about $4-6 for 10 lbs., comparable to rice if you can find a deal on it.

Some people suggested not using organic material because they can mold, but the organization we were making them for had one with rice that they'd been using for years, and they were fine with organic material. They also told us a few things about shape and size.

I ended up making two styles -- one, kind of a small pillow shape, about 10" by 14". It was just a lump, but the kids like to curl up around it. I made another that was a long snake-like tube (with the bean bag approach), and the kids wrap it around themselves. While we were there, we saw two small kids hold them and cuddle them, which was both heart-warming and satisfying to see that they worked as intended.

My point here is don't stress about it. Anything you do will be helpful, and you can learn as you go. If you make something she likes, you can keep improving on it, or if it doesn't work, you can try something else.

I will also say, if you sit with a heavy blanket on your lap, you will quickly see how calming and relaxing they can be.

Good luck!

Thanks! I will research more as I would like something that can be easily washed as she likes to be covered while she eats sometimes. I will ask the therapist Monday when we go back what she recommends.

The pattern I found was the one with the columns then you sew as you fill to make squares through out the blanket. And I did read where it should be 10% of the body weight plus a pound.

Thanks again for all the info.

For a child .. in the design process, you might consider how you can make it's weight grow ... as your daughter grows! :)

It is good that she has been diagnosed early, so many times disorders can be overlooked or ignored until things are really bad. Hope everything works out for you guys.

So, if the weight should be 10% of body weight, do you have to keep adding weight?

I found this doing a Google search.

http://www.davidsblanket.com/downloa...structions.pdf

I was thinking of figuring out how to make the columns as refillable, as in make tubes to put in the columns. Maybe use velco at one end so I can add more weight as needed. Not sure. I may just make one first then see how she likes it then tweek the design as needed.

I had this same dilemma and mountainmammo (from this board) sent me the directions to making one of these. I owe her a debt of gratitude because you wouldn't believe how much these cost!!!

I've made one. There is a weight calculation you have to do. I'm not at home where the pattern is, so please do NOT assume this calculation is correct but it will be something like 10% of the child's weight + 1 lb. type of thing.

I sewed two sheets together into a "sleeve" (3 sides sewn one side open). Then I sewed channels. Then we figured out the weight needed and divided that by the number of sleeves. Then we took 1/10th of the pellets and dropped them down each sleeve. Then we sewed across the blanket (so you have like "pillows" of pellets) continued to the top.

Once I had that done, I made a sort of Duvet Cover for it out of fabric that she liked. Her mom has a couple of covers now. She can wash those as she wants to and she washes the "weighted blanket part" less often.

I got my pellets on EBAY. I believe I found it under either dolls or teddy bear making materials. I had to buy a decent quantity.

PS - when you have to "add weight" to the quilt, I've done that too. We choose random "pillows" to slice and add pellets to. Then I sewed (appliqued?) a "bandaid" on the cut. When we had to add more weight a few months later we just picked other "pillows" to slice and add pellets to. I figure when I have added to all of the pillows, I'll just make another weighted blanket!

I wish you the best of luck - and a hearty thank you to mountainmammo who got me through my first one.

Velcro (or a zipper) is a good idea ... though if she's a "picker", that might not be such a good plan!
Might be better to stitch on the machine, and know how you are going to get into it.

I hope the OT has some valuable input for you ... all too often I hear and read that therapists, doctors etc. recommend these without any input and direction ... leaving the parent to do the research and stumble along in figuring it out. And I bet, there's times when some of the OTs say, oh that's all wrong.

Well I can't seem to post...this is my third attempt, lets see if this works.

Thanks Carrie and QuiltE! I will ask her therapist. I am one to research so I don't mind that part but I will make sure I do it correct first. And I made a chew toy for her, it is terry cloth since she likes wash cloths and minky for the strap for softness. I am washing it now. It isn't pretty but it was a trial run to see if she would like it.

Good Luck ... we'll look forward to hearing what you create.




I just had an idea ... and not sure if it's a good/bad one!
What about one of those lead covers they put over us at the dentist's office when they do X-Rays? It's heavy, not bulky ... and I wonder if they ever replace them and you could use it?

I had thought about the weight belts/sacks, the ones that you put in to add extra weight for you, wonder if they came in 1lb so I could use them in the columns for easy removal. Have to look into that. I have some other ideas, just will have to see what I can find to use.

Another thing to research. They have weighted vests. Our GD didn't want ANYTHING to do with that so I didn't do too much research with that. But it is a thought.

I have a friend that has a vest I could borrow. I just don't know if she would like that as much as a blanket.

If she's a chewer... Food grade refrigerator tubing is fantastic. String it on some yarn if you want. The downside is it acts like a straw for saliva to come out, the upside is its nice and durable. We used them in the classroom since they are discreet and not baby looking. Ps and Q's are also great, you can get them on amazon.

For some kids, a full blanket isn't required. A snake or lap weight like mentioned above can be plenty. Also, they start to lose their effect with time for some kids, so we usually do 20ish minutes on and then 20ish minutes off.

Another favorite squish for some kids is to lay on a mat or blanket and have a yoga ball rolled on their body. The OT should be able to help with that too. We use it as scheduled sensory time for some kids and others like it for deescalating after a stressful time.

Vests are super easy to make... Buy a thrift store denim vest and sew pockets on the inside, and put those premade weights you talked about in it or some home made ones.

Thanks! She seems to like the terry cloth "necklace" thus far, but we shall see how it goes after the newness wears off.

And thanks for the info!

To make the weighted blanket grow-friendly, you could leave a narrow tube, alongside each stuffed one. When you need to add weight, you can fill those extra tubes.

Oooh, good idea.

I am thinking of using some king size pillow cases as the tubing part of the blanket, then make a cover that so it can be removed to be washed. Someone mentioned something like that earlier.

You can also use beans, rice . You can also make a smaller one and place it in the microwave an get it warm and use it like the heating pads.

I made a weighted blanket with pellets, using the 'bean bag' method. It worked very well, but will do the next one using Velcro and pockets. I tested the pellets in the washer and dryer, and they came out fine. Here is the website for the pellets. http://www.craftpellets.com/. If I can be of further help, please ask.

I made one of these for my grandson. Purchased the pellets at Joanne's.
 

My grandson is autistic and loves his blanket. So does his sister who is not autistic. The girls in my office want me to make them one. They said it is very soothing to just lay it over them. Good luck with your blanket.

The pellets at WalMart are the same as those used in the purchased blankets.(polypellets) Our Quilt club made some of these blankets for our local schools to use in the classrooms for the younger kids. According to the teachers, they make a big difference.

One of the gals in my Quilt Guild is in charge of Project Linus for our area and they make these weighted blankets, stuffed with sheets. They get shipped all over the country. Stuffing the blanket w/ sheets is great , because they can be removed for laundering, refolded and put back in. She is constantly hunting for sheets at garage sales /asking people to bring them to our Guild meetings,etc. It's a good way to recycle sheets, instead of throwing them away. Ask everyone you know if you can have their old sheets. Fitted sheets work too, since you just cut off the elastic corners.

That is a GREAT idea!!! Thanks!!!

My son is autistic and has come a long way since he was 4. He's almost 11 now. When he was that age, he really liked the feel of regular cotton. Not knits. He liked sweat pants, but seems more comfortable under a quilt than under his weighted blanket. We figured out that he liked the quilt top on the bottom and the backing on the top. I used about a 1/2" seam because I was a new piecer then and didn't want to mess it up. I made a top that was just squares. Then the backing was a VERY HEAVY corduroy. We tie tacked it backwards. He's almost 11 now and he loves that heavy blanket. A pressurized vest could be helpful. I suggest you talk to the OT some more. You could make a couple different ones and then the one she uses all the time would work. When my son was 4 he was non-verbal still, so I could only go off what made him scream versus what let him be quiet.

My daughter made one recently using dried lentils [pretty inexpensive] and flannel. It turned out really we;;.

Thanks everyone! I have a friend who is going to let me try her vest that she had for her son. I am going to try flannel and cotton for her blanket because she likes things soft; she likes to rub it. And I think I will try some plastic tubing for her chewlery (as I have seen it called). I will make a fabric holder for it to keep the drool down and hope that works. She likes the one I made yesterday to rub on but to chew on, I have found out that she likes something hard.

We've had a bad morning today so I hope to try to get the stuff today for the blanket and necklace. Hubby is out of town so I am not sure if I will get a chance to but I would like to try ASAP after the morning I have had with her.

Weighted blankets
 

Our quilt club makes them for autistic kids. We use Fairfield plastic pellets. They are heavy and washable. I have heard of people using beans or rice, but those would not be washable. I have included directions as to how we make them. I had to save it in a different format (doc) so hope it comes through okay; it doesn't even show I have an attachement, so don't know.