Despite popular belief, weighted blankets don’t have to be expensive. This article will teach you how to make a weighted blanket with glass beads, and achieve a night of peaceful sleep.
All this, from the safety and comfort of your own home!
What Are The Things You Need?
The materials you need for a weighted blanket are simple. You will need the following items:
- High-quality fabric
- Batting (optional)
- Weighted stuffing beads
- A scale
- Measuring tape and/or ruler
- Scissors
- Thread
- Pins and needles
- Sewing machine
- A marking instrument, like tailor’s chalk
Most of these items are available at your local craft or sewing supplies store. If not, there are many merchants online that sell these materials.
Once you’ve got all your materials, you can begin assembling your very own DIY weighted blanket.
Steps On How To Make A Weighted Blanket With Glass Beads
Making your weighted blanket is a quick and easy DIY project. However, if you’re inexperienced with sewing, it is a good idea to have someone help you out.
Step #1. Determine the size and weight
How large do you want your blanket to be? It should be large enough to cover you while you’re using it. To get the best measurement, measure your bed and add a few inches to this measurement.
Once you’re satisfied with the size, measure out the squares’ size for the glass beads. The size of these squares should be a multiple of your blanket’s size, less four inches. Three to five inches per square is usually a good idea.
After figuring out how large you want your blanket to be, determine how heavy you want it. It shouldn’t be too heavy that you end up suffocating in your sleep.
A weighted blanket’s ideal weight is usually 10 percent of your body weight, plus 2 pounds. Make sure to consider the weight of the fabric you are using. The material also adds to the overall weight of the blanket.
For making weighted blankets for children, it is best to consult a physician first. Experts usually recommend lighter-weighted blankets for younger kids.
Step #2. Cut the fabric
If the fabric you bought isn’t already cut, cut the material accordingly.
Step #3. Assemble your blanket
Gather the front and back panels of the blanket. Make sure the fronts of each panel are facing each other. Pin the corners to keep them in place.
If you’d like to have batting on your blanket, align the batting fabric to the blanket and pin as well.
Sew the blanket on three sides. After, flip it inside out, so the front panels are outside. You can also iron the blanket before proceeding to the next step.
Step #4. Line
Draw lines from the top of your blanket to the bottom. The number of lines you make will depend on how many squares you want.
For example, if you wish to have 16 squares, you’ll need three lines to make four columns. Sew along these lines to create pockets where the glass beads will go.
Step #5. Fill
The next step is where the weight comes in. Fill the pockets you made in the previous step with equal amounts of filling to get an evenly-weighted blanket.
To determine how many beads go into one pocket, use this formula:
Total blanket weight ÷ by the number of squares = the weight of pellets per square
One tip is to shake the beads down after filling a pocket. It would be best if you did this so the beads will go to the very bottom of the blanket.
Once you’ve put the beads in all of the pockets, sew the bottom row shut. Make sure there are no gaps to avoid stray beads.
Fill the next row, shake to the bottom, and sew shut. Keep doing this step until you reach the top of the blanket.
Step #6. Finish
At this point, you’re almost done with your very own weighted blanket. You only have to sew the entire blanket closed. Once you’ve done this, trim any loose ends.
And voila! You can now enjoy your very own weighted blanket.
What Are The Pros Of Making It Yourself?
The first and most compelling reason to DIY it is that DIY weighted blankets save you a ton of money. Some weighted blankets can cost upwards of 60 dollars apiece. Making your own will save you a few bucks.
Aside from this, you also get to customize your blanket to your needs and preferences. Some weighted blankets available commercially don’t always satisfy your needs. By making it yourself, you can be sure that your blanket will work!
Why Should You Get A Weighted Blanket?
Studies show that weighted blankets have been linked to better and more satisfying slumbers. They help calm restlessness, relieve anxieties and improve sleep quality.
Conclusion
Now, you know how to make a weighted blanket with glass beads. As mentioned previously, these blankets have been linked to many benefits. Among them are relief of anxiety and sleeping problems.
Making your own with the materials and steps outlined in this article has never been this easy!