Easy DIY: How To Make A Weighted Sensory Blanket

For anyone with restless muscles, insomnia, ADHD, sensory disorder, or on the spectrum, weighted blankets can make a world of difference. So we set out to make our own!

Weighted blankets are soothing and comforting, with a wide variety of benefits, but they can be so expensive! For anyone with restless muscles, insomnia, ADHD, sensory disorder, or on the spectrum, they can make a world of difference.

It’s like having the best hug for a long period of time,” Raj Dasgupta, MD, assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Southern California and a spokesman for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine told WebMD. “a good alternative to life-long sedative hypnotic medications (sleeping pills) at night.”

With these benefits in mind, we set out to make our own!

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Weighted blankets can help adults and children sleep better.

All you need is fabric, usually cotton or flannel, but this depends on the tactile sensitivity of each individual. While the process for creating your own can be quite involved and time-consuming, you’ll save money, use your own creative flair in design and style, and be able to customize the sensory benefits.

You can even turn it into a fun family project and set aside some time to shop for fabric, weigh the pellets, sew, and assemble it together.

Ready to get started? Check out the video below from Funshine TV or read this article from Quality Plastic Pellets for detailed instructions and ideas.

According to WebMD, a study funded by weighted blanket manufacturers and conducted by Swedish researchers found that both men and women with moderate insomnia were more likely to report “a calmer night’s sleep with fewer movements,” after using a weighted blanket.

Source: Pixabay
The right fabric makes a big difference to those with sensory issues.

“Weighted blankets offer deep pressure stimulation, a form of touch pressure that feels like a firm hug, a massage, or swaddling,” WebMD reports. “While research on weighted blankets is sparse, deep pressure stimulation has been found to calm adults and children with anxiety, autism, and attention difficulties, researchers say.”