Here are the materials needed for making your blanket. How much fabric and how many pounds of poly pellets depend on the size of your finished blanket. For this blanket I used:
2 1/2 yards of cotton fabric (top of blanket)
2 1/2 yards of muslin (inner fabric)
2 1/2 yards of flannel (back of blanket)
8 pounds of poly pellets
thread
Wash your fabric in hot water and dry in the dryer. Iron fabric after drying.
Figure out the size of the pockets that will hold your poly pellets. This blanket was for a twin sized bed, so my final measurements were 40"x72". I like to have 2" around the edge of the blanket for seam allowances and ease of sewing. This left the available area for the pockets at 36"x68". Each pocket will end up being 6"x6" except for the top and bottom rows. These pockets will be 6"x7". I am not great with math so here is the fantabulous way I use to figure out each blanket.
Draw your grid on the muslin.
Lay the top fabric right side down and then lay your muslin on top with your grid facing up. Smooth out the two fabrics and pin, pin, pin!
Sew across the bottom of your blanket and then sew the up the columns. I like to start from the bottom and sew my way to the top to help prevent puckers.
Calculate the weight of poly pellets required in each pocket. This blanket weighed 8 pounds. I have a digital scale that measures in ounces and grams. I usually measure in grams because the math is a lot easier! Eight pounds is 3,636 grams. Divide by 66 pockets and you come up with 55 grams of poly pellets per pocket.
Measure 55 grams of poly pellets and pour them into the first column. Do this 5 more times until all of your columns are full.
Sew across the row closing your poly pellets into the pocket. Be sure to push all the poly pellets away from your sewing foot and needle. It is not fun when your needle hits a poly pellet. Continue weighing, filling and sewing across the rows until you reach the top of the blanket.
Lay your flannel right side up and place the blanket top side down onto your flannel. Be sure to smooth out the flannel as your lay the top down. This will prevent puckers and wrinkles.
Pin around the edges of the blanket leaving about 9" open on the bottom. This will allow you to right side out the blanket after sewing. Sew around the entire blanket and don't forget to leave the opening!
Right side out the blanket paying special attention to the corners. Sometimes I use the back of a spoon to poke them out.
Pin or iron around the outer edge of the blanket.
Sew around the edge of the blanket making sure you close the opening at the bottom of the blanket.
Viola! Your weighted blanket is complete! Snuggle up and sleep well!
Feel free to e-mail me with any questions. I will try to get back to you as soon as possible!Disclaimer: I am not an OT nor do I play one in the bloggy world. The standard formula for a weighted blanket is 10% of body weight plus 1 pound. Always check with your OT to determine the proper weight for your blanket.
17 comments:
I just wanted to thank you for having this tutorial posted. I am not new to the world of sewing and crafts but I am new to being a Memaw. My daughter-in-law mentioned to me about making this for Aiden and I said to myself What the heck is a weighted blanket. Well not only did you answer my question you have wonderful pictures and easy steps in order to make my grandson his very own special blanket. Thank you again. C.Green
I'm glad to have helped. I hope Aiden loves his new blanket!
I am new to sewing and I don't have all my materials yet so I can't envision this....so sorry for the stupid questions. I am with you until the part where the flannel gets attached. I am getting lost on photo 10 (the one that sows the gril w/ pins on top). Where am I sewing it together in photo 10... your finished blanket looks like its sewn together on the ends (obviously) but you also have a 1-2" border - that's what's messing me up - which gets done when. Told ya - dumb question but I don't sew (I just need to try since weighted blankets are too expensive).
opps... hard to type with kids... that should say "photo 10 (the one that shows the grid w/ pins on top)"
Jen- When I draw the grid I make the first column 2 inches, then I draw six columns that are 6 inches wide and then a final column that is 2 inches wide. I also do that with the rows- draw my top row 2 inches and then draw all the other rows at 6 inches. In the picture you are talking about there is only stitching on the left hand side of the border. If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me at 1squishypickle at gmail.com
Where did you find the pellets?
You can find them at Michael's or Hobby Lobby. They come in a 2 pound bag. I usually bought those with the 40% off coupon they have in the Sunday paper. I bet Joann Fabrics would have them as well. Once I started sewing blankets for people it was easier to buy them online in bulk quantities. Now I usually buy mine from www dot craftpellets dot com
I am so glad to have found your instruction; I am about to undertake making several for children in our early intervention program. I am concerned about making them so that they are easily laundered. Can this blanket be washed and dried? does the extra weight cause any additional problems? Many thanks,
My son's original blanket is over 2.5 years old and has been washed and dried countless times and has held up wonderfully. It was only 4 pounds. The fabric has faded a bit from being washed and loved so much. His current blanket is 8 pounds and the only problem I have when I wash it is it bunching up on one side of the drum when it spins. I have a top loader so then the machine knocks and shakes. I just readjust the blanket inside and turn the washer back on. Let me know if you have any other questions!
I thought I read that you make these for other people. Do you sell them yourself? I want to try a weighted blanket for my son that has sensory issues (he needs deep pressure and responds well to being tightly held) and I know I just do not have time to make one myself, anyway back to the point, how much do you charge for the blankets you make, that is if you sell them. Thanks!
Yes I do sew weighted blankets. Please email me at 1squishypickle @ gmail.com and I can give you all the details. I am working on opening an Etsy shop but it's not quite ready yet.
Does the 2 1/2 yards of fabric take into consideration any shrinkage after it's washed in hot water? Or are your measurements done post-shrinkage?
Just curious if I might need to buy a little more than 2 1/2 yards.
Thanks!!
Yes, I do take shrinking into consideration. The 2 1/2 yards is my measurement before washing. Let me know if you have any other questions and happy sewing! :)
I am going to try to make this for my son this weekend, how long did it take you? Thank you so much for the tutorial!
I can get a twin sized blanket done in about 5 or 6 hours.
Do you have any Etzy shop open yet? I'd love to purchase a weighted blanket made with TLC. Thx- Jes in CA
No Etsy shop yet, but I am more than happy to sew one for you. All of the information can be found here http://thesquishypickles.blogspot.com/2012/01/still-no-etsy-shop-yet.html or email me at 1squishypickle at gmail.com
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