blankets Archives - Living with Autism https://101autism.com Autism Resources for Daylife Tue, 27 May 2025 08:13:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://i0.wp.com/101autism.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/101-1.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1blankets Archives - Living with Autismhttps://101autism.com 32 32 167941529 DIY: How to Make Your Weighted Blankethttps://101autism.com/diy-how-to-make-your-weighted-blanket/ https://101autism.com/diy-how-to-make-your-weighted-blanket/#comments Mon, 10 Jul 2023 17:21:25 +0000 https://101autism.com/?p=680474 Table of Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Materials You’ll Need
  3. Step-by-Step Guide
  4. Conclusion

Introduction

Weighted blankets have gained popularity recently due to their potential benefits in improving sleep and reducing anxiety. They work by applying gentle, even pressure across your body, mimicking the feeling of being hugged. If you’re interested in experiencing these benefits but are deterred by the high price tag of store-bought options, why not try making your own? This blog post’ll guide you through creating your weighted blanket.

Materials You’ll Need:

  1. Two pieces of fabric (size depends on who the blanket is for)
  2. Poly pellets or micro glass beads (for the weight)
  3. A scale (to measure the weight)
  4. Thread (matching the color of your fabric)
  5. Sewing machine
  6. Measuring tape
  7. Scissors
  8. Funnel

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Choose Your Fabric

The first step is to choose the fabric for your blanket. You’ll need two pieces of the same size. The size will depend on who the blanket is for. For example, a blanket for a child might be 36″ x 48″, while a blanket for an adult might be 60″ x 80″. Choose a comfortable and durable fabric, such as cotton or flannel.

Step 2: Calculate the Weight

The weight of your blanket will depend on the person who will be using it. A general rule of thumb is to make the blanket about 10% of the person’s body weight. You can use poly pellets or micro glass beads as the weight. These can be purchased online or at a craft store.

Step 3: Prepare the Fabric

Lay out your two pieces of fabric with the right sides together. Sew around the edges, leaving a small gap for turning the fabric right side out. Then, turn the material right side out through the hole.

Step 4: Create the Grid

Next, you’ll create a grid on your fabric. This will form pockets for the weights. The size of the squares in the grid will depend on the size of your blanket, but 4″ x 4″ or 5″ x 5″ courts are common.

Step 5: Add the Weights

Now it’s time to add the weights. Use a funnel to add the poly pellets or micro glass beads to each square in the grid. Be sure to weigh the pellets or beads to know how much you add to each square. Once you’ve added the weights, sew the court’s top closed.

Step 6: Finish the Blanket

Finally, sew the gap in the edge of the blanket closed. And voila! You have your very own DIY weighted blanket.

Conclusion

Making your weighted blanket can be a fun and rewarding project. Not only can you customize it to your liking, but you can also save money compared to buying a pre-made one. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of using something you made yourself. Happy crafting!

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