Do you want a weighted blanket but don’t think you can afford it? You don’t have to spend a fortune on a weighted blanket. Making weighted blankets can help you save a fraction of the cost! Not to mention, it will be exactly the size and weight you want.
Follow our simple step-by-step guide on how to make your own weighted blanket and you’ll be able to save money and have the perfect blanket for you.
Why Make a DIY Weighted Blanket?
There are a few reasons why you might want to make your DIY weighted blanket:
1. It’s a lot cheaper – commercial weighted blankets can cost anywhere from 100-300 dollars.
2. You can customize it the way you want it to be – you get to choose the filling, fabric, weight, and size of your blanket.
3. It’s a great way to use up old materials – if you have some spare fabric or stuffing lying around, why not put it to good use and make a weighted blanket?
4. It’s therapeutic – for many people, weighted blankets provide a sense of calm and relaxation. If you’re looking for a way to reduce stress, anxiety, or insomnia, making your weighted blanket could be the perfect solution.
5. It’s a satisfying hobby- there’s something truly satisfying about being able to say “I made this!”. If you enjoy crafts and DIY projects and don’t mind getting stuck in with sewing, making your own weighted blanket will be fun!
What Are Weighted Blankets?
Weighted blankets are more than just blankets that are heavier than regular blankets. They’re filled with weighted fillings to exert deep pressure stimulation (DPS) over your body. Deep touch pressure is thought to stimulate the nervous system, producing calming and relaxing hormones like serotonin and melatonin.
This helps promote good sleep and reduces stress. Weighted blankets are often used for people with anxiety, autism, stress, and insomnia.
How To Make a Weighted Blanket – Step By Step Instructions
It’s easy to make a weighted blanket provided you have some basic sewing skills. Follow our make your own weighted blanket tutorial in just 7 easy steps!
What You’ll Need
- Kitchen scale
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Chalk
- Pins
- Thread (same color as fabric)
- Fabric for the front and back
- Batting
- Weighted fillings – Poly pellets preferable
- Sewing machine
Step 1: Determine Your Blanket Size, Weight, Fabric, and Fillers
Selecting weighted blanket size:
When deciding on the size of your blanket, it’s important to take into account both the size of the bed and the person who will be using it.
Ideally, you’ll want to make sure the blanket is big enough to cover the person from chest to toes if you want to use it in bed.
A blanket should be wide enough to allow you to move freely beneath it without it slipping off the side of the bed, but narrow and short enough to stay in place. It should cover the entire length of your bed and not have extra fabric hanging outside the edges.
Selecting the correct blanket weight:
The recommended weight of a weighted blanket is 10% of your body weight. If you’re unsure of how much weight to use, start with 5-10% of your body weight and increase or decrease the amount as needed.
This stays true for single adults and children. For couples, your weighted blanket should weigh 7.5% of your total body weight.
Depending on the sort of filling you select, the weights and volumes will differ. To figure out how much filling should be in each square, simply divide your intended weight by the total number of squares your blanket will have.
For example, if you want a 20 lb blanket with 20 (5×4) squares, you’d measure out 1 lb of filling per square.
To accurately measure the filling’s weight required per square, we recommend using a kitchen scale.
Selecting fabric and fillers:
The type of fabric you choose is up to you – it can be anything from cotton to fleece to minky.
Cotton is great all year round, while fleece is better for cooler months. Minky is a soft, luxurious fabric that’s often used for baby blankets – it’s also great for weighted blankets as it’s so cozy!
The most important thing to consider when choosing fabric is how breathable it is. You don’t want your body to overheat under the weight of the blanket.
As for the fillers, you have a few different options. Poly pellets are the most popular choice, as are affordable and washer friendly. Glass beads or metal shot balls can also be used, but these tend to be dearer but are more durable.
Read this weighted blanket material guide to find out the best fabric and fillers for your needs.
Step 2: Measure the fabric
Now that you’ve determined the size, weight, and type of fabric you’ll be using, it’s time to measure out your fabric and batting.
Measure out two pieces of fabric for the front and back of the blanket. They should be the same size. You’ll need squares that are 3 to 5 inches wide, plus two inches around the exterior for binding. For example, if you want a 40”x60” blanket, you should cut out two 42”x62” pieces of fabric.
Before measuring your fabric, make sure to wash and iron it. This is especially important if you’re using a shrinkable material like cotton.
Step 3: Sew the fabric
Pin the two pieces of fabric together, insides out first. Once secure, sew them together along edges on three sides, leaving the top open (one short side). Sew two inches away from the edge of the fabric. Then, flip the fabric backside out and open the seams.
Insert batting which is stuffing that will go between the two pieces of fabric.
Step 4: Make a grid with chalk
Then, mark a grid of squares based on the square size you chose, which is usually 3-5 inches big. Start with vertical columns first then horizontal rows. Make sure these are evenly spaced. Use a ruler to help you do this.
Sew each vertical column of the grid, making sure to use small tripled stitches. These will become the compartments that hold the weighted fillings.
It’s helpful to start at the center and then work your way outwards.
Step 5: Fill each channel with fillings
As mentioned above, the amount of filling in each square is determined by total weight divided by the number of squares.
Scoop out the correct weight and start filling each vertical column with fillings using a funnel.
Then, shake the blanket to level out the fillings across the blanket.
Step 6: Sew Horizontally Across the Filled Channel
Sew each row of compartments shut using small stitches. This will keep the fill from leaking into neighboring compartments.
Step 7: Finish off with a top stitch
After you have finished sewing each side of every compartment, it’s time to finish off the blanket with a top stitch.
Fold over the open edge by half an inch and iron it in place. Then, sew along this edge to close up the opening.
Your weighted blanket is now complete!
How To Make A Weighted Blanket For A Child?
If you are looking for a way to make a weighted blanket for a child, it’s no different from making one for yourself.
The only distinction would be a lighter weight and compact size. The advised weight is 10% to one or two pounds higher than normal. The height of your child determines the size of the blanket.
It is even more crucial for kiddies to try out a lower weight first and increase it gradually to get used to the added pressure. Do not use a weighted blanket on your child if they are less than 2 years old.
How to Make a Washable Weighted Blanket?
To make a washable weighted blanket, you need to make sure you have materials that are washer and dryer safe. It’s also critical to make a blanket that isn’t overly heavy and exceeds the weight of your washing machine.
The best fillings that are washer friendly are either plastic poly pellets or glass beads. Avoid sand as a filling as it can become messy and difficult to dry. Before you put your DIY weighted blanket in the dryer, double-check the manufacturer’s recommendations for heat tolerance on the materials.
Also, you will want to make a blanket cover too so that you can remove it and make washing a weighted blanket easy peasy.
Conclusion
Making weighted blankets is a great way to save you money and you can customize your blanket the way you like it. You only need a few materials, basic to intermediate sewing skills and follow 7 simple steps from our guide to make your very own weighted blanket.
