Weighted or Sensory Blanket

Alexa's Weighted Blanket

Last Fall, I decided to take on a new sewing challenge, a weighted blanket.

I found this website to use the pattern and suggestions by MamaSmiles:

http://www.mamasmiles.com/sewing-tutorial-how-to-make-a-weighted-sensory-blanket/

Thanks MamaSmiles for your online tutorial.

 I rate this a difficult project, if you decide to use Soft and Comfy (grey) fabric for the back of the blanket from JoAnn Fabrics, it is a polyester baby material and moves easily while sewing, I used a flannel fabric for the front of the blanket.
I had difficulty keeping the fabric from moving a lot. I have a friend who is an avid sewer mention to me that place a piece of paper under the slippery fabric. I also read using a walking foot on the sewing machine helps.

 


In order for the blanket to be weighted, Poly Pellets are used. Poly Pellets are used in stuffed animals to give them a body. The Pellets are around $8.00 for a 32oz bag from Amazon. MamaSmiles.com shows how to grid out your fabric lining (I used unbleached muslin) and also figuring out how much Poly Pellets per square for the blanket to fit a twin size bed. 

I used a muslin lining attached to the flannel to put the beads of poly pellets in. I sewed half the blanket horizontally after sewing columns lengthwise to route the beads into rows. After sewing vertical columns I then added beads into each column and then sewed a row, until one half of the blanket was completed and continued to the other half of the blanket. Adding beads into each column and then sewing the row closed.
This was the only direction I decided to do differently from Mamasmiles directions.


I would recommend that if you decide to sew a blanket to make certain you have a large table to work on. By placing the whole blanket on the table you will not to have the blanket on your lap while sewing. The blanket will get heavy and the blanket will stay smooth while sew the back of the blanket.