Debbie Wolfe
Weighted blankets can help relieve stress, anxiety, and insomnia by providing information to deep pressure touch receptors throughout the body. This "deep pressure touch" helps the body to relax. Like a firm hug, weighted blankets can help someone feel safe, grounded, and secure. Making your own weighted blanket isn't difficult and can save you money, but it does take some time and sewing skills.
Debbie Wolfe
Use a medium weight fabric like flannel for this project. You will need at least 2.5 yards for the top and 2.5 yards for the bottom of the blanket. This will give you a blanket about the size of a twin size blanket (if you use a 44-45 inch wide fabric). Make sure you get the same plastic pellets that are used to add weight to the dolls.
Always pre-wash and dry fabric before starting.
Debbie Wolfe
This blanket is customizable. After determining the size, measure and cut two pieces of fabric for the top and bottom. Place the fabric pieces together, right sides in. Measure two inches on both the long sides and one of the short sides, leaving one side open for adding the pellets. Use tailor's chalk and pins to mark for sewing.
Debbie Wolfe
Debbie Wolfe
Once you've sewn three sides, trim off the bottom corners. Turn the fabric right side out and press the seams with an iron. Top stitch around all three sewn sides.
Debbie Wolfe
Measure out a grid for the remaining area of the blanket. Use the tailor's chalk or fabric pen to mark the grid. Sew the vertical lines (the lines that go from bottom to top) ONLY.
Debbie Wolfe
Before you fill the "pockets" on the bottom row, you'll need to figure out how many beads to put in each pocket. To do so, use this formula:the desired total weight in ounces divided by the number of squares equals the number of ounces per square. Place a cup or bowl on a scale and close it before adding the granules.
Remember that 16 US oz. =1 pound
Debbie Wolfe
Fill the bottom of each column with the correct portion of pellets for one pocket. Add a handful of polyfill to each square, if you like.
Debbie Wolfe
Once you've filled the first row of pockets, sew across the horizontal line of your marked grid, sealing that line of weighted squares.
Debbie Wolfe
Keep adding pellets and polyfill, row after row until you've finished the last row of squares on top. Then, fold the remaining two inches of fabric (or however much you have left) and zip it up. This will seal the top row of weighted squares.
Debbie Wolfe
Pellets are machine washable. However, only use in a machine without an agitator. To help keep it clean, tuck the blanket into a duvet cover.
