Is this what a weighted blanket is supposed to be like?

[APToddlerMama]

So after waiting a billion years for the weighted blanket to arrive for my son, it has, but it doesn't seem right. It is pretty and nicely made, but basically it is small one inch strip of weight sewed into a long tube, and then there is nothing for about 10-12 inches..just the two layers of fabric, then another one inch strip of weight, then just the two layers of fabric for 10-12 more inches, another inch of weight and so on.

I was under the impression that the weight was supposed to be distributed fairly evenly, not in one inch strips every several inches. What are other people's blankets like? Where did you get them if they have more well distributed weight? Thanks in advance!

[Eyelet]

That doesn't seem quite right. I have one from http://www.weightedblanket.net/ and the weighted 'beads' are distributed through-out the entire blanket.

[KCMichigan]

Ours has the weight evenly distributed.

We made it but it looks exactly like the PPs. Small squares with an even number of weights in each 'square' ( sewn shut---no velcro or closures). Speaking of---we need to adjust it somehow ---she has gained weight and it needs to be 're-weighted'.

** the uneveness of the blanket the OP describes would drive my DD crazy!!--- part of the benefits is the equal distribution of pressure from the weight.**

[DaughterOfKali]

No, that's not a proper weighted blanket (OP).

[earthmama369]

The weight is supposed to be evenly distributed throughout the blanket. Many blankets are sewn into small squares or diamonds (quilted) with a standard measure of pellets in each one, to ensure that the pellets don't shift around and create an uneven weightedness.

[Kailey's mom]

not like the one we had.. ps; if you have basic sewing skills, they are super easy to make

[APToddlerMama]

Thanks everyone. I am super irritated about this blanket because she shipped it weeks after she said she was going to and now this! I didn't seem right, my son doesn't like it, and it doesn't seem like it would serve any theraputic purpose. I feel bad returning it to her because his very unusual name is on it so she can't resell it, and shipping is going to be a total of $30 but I also don't want to pay $75 for something marketed for ASD and SPD that is clearly not right. I do have some sewing skills. Does anyone know where to get the beads to put in it or how to weight it properly? ughhhhhhh

[tankgirl73]

Huh. That's a shame. I don't know what to do about the return problem...

We got ours from Salt of the Earth, it was pricey but we love it. We got a large one for the bed and a lap pad too. Definitely weight spread all around. I know it's possible to make your own, but I wasn't ready to tackle that (distributing all the beads/pebbles, after finding them in the first place... etc).

[KCMichigan]

HERE are some instructions

HERE is how to make a small one out of a pillow case


We made ours-- and used poly-fill beads in it to make it washable.

There are a few more patterns out there that use velcro-type pockets, but we did not want DD to be able to 'open' it and eat any of the weight-filling.

It cost us about $20 for the fabric, binding, ploy-fill beads (most expensive since we needed 3+ lbs) and about 1.5 hours to make. I spent a bit more than I needed to for super 'girly' fabric, silky pink binding, and a pretty butterfly applique. We got our supplies at Jo-Ann fabrics, Walmart may be cheaper is you have one that has a craft section. It has held up to numerous washings and is 2 years old.

[KimPM]

I'm currently working on one now.

Here is one idea:
http://www.fraser.org/tip_sheets/weighted_blanket.pdf

I like this one because not only does it spread the weight around pretty well, you can also update it to add more weight as your child grows.

Generally you use 1/10 of the child's body weight as an approximation. I wouldn't go much heavier, however you can add a bit more weight to fill out the other parts of the blanket that won't cover your child . You don't want it totally weightless around the edges. You can also place more weight emphasis over where the child's body will be in the blanket.

For lower weights of 4 lbs and under, you can use the plastic pellets they use to weight stuffed animals. For higher weights, you'll probably want to use something heavier, like river stone.

[nayma]

my sister just made my dd one (loooove her), and just like everyone else said, it's evenly distributed weight-wise. my sister is quite the perfectionist, and it's large and made from nice fabric with small squares, but she said it took her way longer than she'd anticipated, and was trickier than she's thought. i hope you're able to whip one up as quickly as the previous posters, but just wanted to add my sister's two cents - and she never shies away from hard work.
so far, i think dd likes the blanket. she doesn't seek it out, per se, but when she sleeps under it, she seems to settle better. fwiw, i chose to go higher than the 10% of body weight rec. i did about double that. she's growing like a weed these days, and she's strong as heck, so i didn't worry about her being able to move around.
sorry this has been such a hassle for you. hope you get it solved easily!

[APToddlerMama]

Thank you all for all the suggestions. That pillowcase idea makes it soooo simple! Yeah! I was thinking up all sorts of really complicated ways to do it but this is going to make it easy. Thanks everyone!