Listly by Gail Zahtz
We have a list of profesional weighted blanket companies, and individuals who have made companies from their sewing ability for weighted blankets, vest, wraps, laps pads, animals and more. Here is a special list of tutorials for the DIYers out there. In the final section online will also be tips and tricks. The big issues you need to look at is:
*What kind of filling do you want to use? *
*Pellets or Balls: *
What kind of construction can you or do you want to use?
What kind of outer materials?
How much weight?
The pin link I put up on this site has been constantly trending almost daily with thousands of repins of the actual link I put up. The filling given is poly pellets that are recommended to be weighed in proportion for the user's weight and divided throughout the blankets using filler foam and sewing blocks or pockets in a quilt-like fashion throughout the blanket. It can obviously be made in any size and any material for the exterior. While the author doesn't give an exact amount of what was spent, she does show where she bought pellets (25 pounds on eBay for $30). So a rough estimate would be that her** 36" x 60" DIY would run about **$50 to make if using fairly inexpensive material. It took the author 2 hours to make, but from what I can tell, compared to my own almost no sew abilities, it would take beginners much longer- it all depends on how adept you are with a sewing machine.
This DIY *tutorial that also has a video is for a *no sew "lap buddy" that will cost less than $5. The post is geared towards children who fidget with ADHD, autism or otherwise, but if you make accommodations in size, weighted lap materials have been equally positive in results for those with Alzheimer's, adults with pain management, and more. In this tutorial there is not an emphasis on the amount of weight you use, so if you want to use the standards made available, you can measure your rice filling to size of the sock. This is about as inexpensive and easy of a weighted lap sensory solution as you can get!
Materials
In short, cut the ends of the leggings or tights off, tie knots on the end, fill with rice (and oil if used), tie off the other end.
You can then choose to decorate the lap buddy as you want- do make sure to use appropriately safe materials based on the users.
Estimated cost: $5
A truly no sew weighted blanket:
Create Baggies full of measured rice.
Duct Tape them together in rows like a quilt.
Cover it all in duct tape.
Cost: $20
Thank you so much for making this blanket for my classroom! My students asked to use the blanket. While we were using it, I noticed that there needs to be a way to attach the cover to the weighted part of the blanket. Like maybe a snap or a ribbon to tie the two together. Again Thank you SO much! I love it!
How to make a DIY weighted blanket for kids with autism and/or sensory processing disorder, including some no sew weighted blanket tutorials
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