Weighted Blanket ?

[Azalea]

I'm interested in trying a weighted blanket for my teen son. Do you have any brand that you would recommend? What are your positive and negative experiences? Any thoughts on what weight to try? He's 150 lbs, so I was thinking 20 or 25 lbs.

[T'smom]

I don't have a brand to recommend, but I asked my mom to make one for me and for each of the older kids and she did. I LOVE mine. I read that it should be 10% of your body weight, but I wish mine was a little heavier than that. When I remember to put ds's (8 year old, who still wakes up at night) on him after he is asleep, he sleeps better. My only negative experience would be that one of them got a hole and we had little beads everywhere, but that shouldn't be an issue if you are buying one.

[athomeontheprairie]

I had wanted to buy one for my daughter, but found it was cost prohibitive. I have zero sewing skills, and it was pretty simple to make. I found instructions online order the beads off eBay, which was the cheapest place I could buy them in bulk. When I made it the instructions I found were 10% of body weight +1 pound.

 

if you have any sewing skills at all, and I have none, it is very simple to make. it also made a world of difference for my child

[Azalea]

I don't have a brand to recommend, but I asked my mom to make one for me and for each of the older kids and she did. I LOVE mine. I read that it should be 10% of your body weight, but I wish mine was a little heavier than that. When I remember to put ds's (8 year old, who still wakes up at night) on him after he is asleep, he sleeps better. My only negative experience would be that one of them got a hole and we had little beads everywhere, but that shouldn't be an issue if you are buying one.

 

Thanks for the input! 

[Night Elf]

I bought one for my dd at SensaCalm. She really likes it. Her only complaint is it makes her hot so she ends up kicking it off but she does feel she sleeps better with it. We got her a size close to a twin because she'll be going away to college in the fall and will have a twin sized bed in her dorm. Check their FAQ about choosing the weight. When you click on what size blanket you want, there is a pull down menu to choose the weight in that size. We went with 17 lbs. since that was recommended for a weight of 140 lbs.

[Azalea]

I had wanted to buy one for my daughter, but found it was cost prohibitive. I have zero sewing skills, and it was pretty simple to make. I found instructions online order the beads off eBay, which was the cheapest place I could buy them in bulk. When I made it the instructions I found were 10% of body weight +1 pound.

 

if you have any sewing skills at all, and I have none, it is very simple to make. it also made a world of difference for my child

 

They sure are expensive! I will consider your advice. I have a good sewing machine, and possibly enough skills, but finding the time is a problem.

[Tap]

We bought a Dreamcatchers brand.  It was for a younger child, so we bought a 10lb twin size.  She didn't really respond to it.  

 

 

[4ofus]

We have 2-16 lb twin blankets & they are so loved. I got them at The Magic Blanket online. So worth it.

Edited January 14, 2016 by 4ofus

[AndyJoy]

I made a toddler size one last week and it was very easy (but time-consuming) if you have basic sewing skills. I can see why they are expensive to buy based on the time alone. If you do make one, I found Primo Plastic Pellets sells an extra heavy variety that adds weight without as much bulk. They are about 65% heavier than the off-the-shelf craft store variety. I'm waiting for my 25 lb box to arrive so I can make lap pads for DS and a friend and possibly a blanket for DD.

 

I also have tips! I started with someone else's tutorial but I added few techniques.

Edited January 14, 2016 by AndyJoy

[TrixieB]

I made a weighted blanket for one of my teens. 

 

The blanket is the same size as a square baby blanket - I used a double layer minky (curly soft fleece) baby blanket, cut it open along one side seam and put in a zipper.

 

I used about 10 lbs of pellets, plus some poly fill.  I cut quilting fabric just shy of the same size as the baby blanket, marked it into grids (4" square I think).  Then I used a sewing sequence which I found online. I left a gap in each row of squares, filled each square with a pre-weighed amount of pellets - I used a funnel with aquarium hose attached - added some polyfill, then sewed the gaps shut as I filled each square.  Then on to the next row, and repeated the process.  It didn't take long to make.

 

My friend made a similar blanket but she sewed columns for the pellets, instead of making squares.

 

The finished blanket fits inside the minky baby blanket, which provides a washable cover.  My kid loves the weighted blanket and the texture of the cover. 

[dsmith]

http://saltoftheearthweightedgear.com

 

We purchased the ones with fine grade river stone, about 7 years ago now, I think. They have held up beautifully and will probably remain that way for years to come. They can only be washed in our top load machine and are hung to dry. Honestly, they don't need washing very often because they are used on top of heavy comforters. Dh and ds each have one, dh for restless leg and ds for sensory issues.

[jenn-]

I made mine using this technique http://craftnectar.com/2009/09/03/calming-the-senses-with-weighted-blankets/. I started with a queen sized top sheet that I folded in half and stitched closed on the two sides. If I were to make another one, I would figure out how to add a duvet like cover to it as I have to hand wash it in the bathtub or risk breaking my washing machine (mine is 15lbs). I love my weighted blanket.

[happi duck]

I'm thinking of trying the rice and duct tape method slipped inside a tied fleece blanket I already have.

[jenn-]

I'm thinking of trying the rice and duct tape method slipped inside a tied fleece blanket I already have.

Rice has a better chance of molding.

[My4arrows]

I also have no advice on where to buy but I made one too for DS. I bought the beads with coupons at joanns and it helped a lot in keeping the cost down. It definitely helped DA calm down and sleep better. I actually want one too!

[Azalea]

I agree, I want one too!

[Seeking Squirrels]

I made one for DD7. I found poly pellets on amazon for a good price. I sewed columns and then filled down the columns and sewed across to create squares. It was time consuming, but worth it for the cost savings. IIRC, I made her's 10% of body weight plus 2lbs. I might have also rounded up a bit from there. It was for a full blanket, though, not a small one where the weight would be concentrated. I think I made it a bit bigger than a toddler bedding set blanket. I'm considering making one for myself.