Content

• Steps
• Tips
• What do you need

Weighted blankets are used as a soothing effect for children and, in some cases, adults. For some children with autism, touch sensitivity, and mood disorders, weighted blankets provide a safe way of tactile stimulation. Weighted blankets can also help calm hyperactive or traumatized children with the disorder. This article will show you how to make a weighted blanket.

Steps

1. 1 Cut the fabric. You will need two pieces of fabric, each 2 yards (182.88 cm), and one piece, 1 yard (91.44 cm).
2. 2 Cut a 1 yard piece of fabric into 4 by 4 inches (10.6 by 10.6 cm) squares to be used as infill pockets.
3. 3 Cut 4 inch (10.6 cm) pieces of Velcro tape and sew a hooked piece to one edge of each square pocket.
4. 4 Cut a piece of Velcro tape equal in width to the larger pieces of fabric. Sew one side of the tape along one side of the large piece of fabric and the other side along one side of the other large piece of fabric.
5. 5 Spread 4 ”by 4” (10.6 by 10.6 cm) squares evenly in a row on the back of one piece of fabric. Mark the location of each square.
6. 6 Sew the looped section of the Velcro tape to the wrong side of the duvet, where marked, so that all squares can be attached to the back of the duvet.
7. 7 Sew each square to the blanket on three sides, leaving only the sides with tape.
8. 8 Sew the three sides of the large pieces of fabric together, right side out.
9. 9 Divide the weighting material into small bags that can be removed for washing over time, if necessary. Place one filled pouch in each pocket. Make sure the pouches are tightly closed.
10. 10 Turn the blanket right side out with the weight pouches on the inside of the blanket. Use Velcro tape to secure the top edge of the blanket.

Tips

• Weighted blankets can be made for adults too. Adjust the size and weight of the blanket to suit an adult.
• If the weighted blanket does not seem heavy enough, you can increase the weight by adding a heavier material as filler, and as much as possible to weight the blanket as much as possible, consult a child's specialist.
• Heavier blankets also help adults with Restless Leg Syndrome, relieve symptoms at night, and improve sleep quality.
• Choose a fabric texture, pattern and color that your child will like. Blue and pink are usually calming, but any color you like will do.
• When you lift the blanket for the first time, it may feel too heavy for you. But evenly distributed over the body of the child, the weight of the blanket will not seem so great.
• Weighted blankets can be made softer by adding fiber filling to each pocket on each side of the pouch.
• As your child grows, you can adjust the weight of the blanket by replacing the initial filling with a heavier material.

What do you need

• 5 yards of machine washable fabric
• Filler material for weighting the blanket (small beads, dry beans or fine gravel) in an amount of about 5% of the child's weight
• Small resealable pouches
• Threads
• Sewing machine
• Velcro tape
• Pencil or fabric marker
• Scissors