How to Make a Weighted Tie Blanket (That’s Machine Washable!)

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We love our weighted blankets. Since using one for my daughter we have seen huge improvements to the point that our weighted blanket has become a do not leave home without it item. We first started using one when she was three. I had to have my grandma make it for her because my sewing skills are horrendous and I am far too broke to ever be able to afford the ridiculous amounts that these blankets sell for.

The first one that my Grandma made lasted us for years. We still have it and use it now, it just isn’t at the weight she needs because she is now eight. But, according to my grandma it was really difficult to make (and sews at the professional level) and it was really hard to wash. So as we grew out of our blanket I wanted to come up with something that was easy to make, easy to wash, and could grow with my daughter. This is where the idea for a Weighted Tie Blanket came from.

This simple weighted tie blanket is easy to make, easy to clean, and can grow with your child!

 

Now to be completely honest with ya’ll this blanket took me forever to finish. Not because it was difficult, but because I couldn’t decide how to actually make it. After I bought the materials and sewed the bean bags for it together it sat in a bag for a year. Once I figured out how I wanted to put this tie blanket together though it took me four episodes of Justified to tack down the bean bags and tie up the blanket. Coming from someone who hates to sew – it wasn’t too torturous.

Items Needed for a Weighted Tie Blanket

  • 2-4 yards of micro-fleece (buy here — the La La Loopsy shown here is no longer being made)
  • Poly-fil Beads (buy here)
  • Sewing Scissors (buy here)
  • Fabric Scraps (I used an old sheet)
  • All-Purpose Thread (buy here)
  • Cardboard (I used a cereal box)
  • Sharpie

Weighted Tie Blanket Directions

Before we get into the steps I am going to apologize up front on the photos. I originally was not planning on blogging this, but have been asked so much about it I figured it was something I should share. Because of this I have no in step photos from making the bean bags.

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  1. To start you are going to have to do some math. The final weighted tie blanket should not be heavier than 10-15% of your child’s body weight and there are 16 ounces to a pound. I put about 8 ounces (approximately 1 cup) per bean bag.
  2. Once you know how many bean bags you are going to need to cut, you are going to make your square template using the cardboard. Cut it out and then trace squares on to your scrap fabric. When doing this I put two squares next to each other so that I was cutting out rectangles. This way I could fold the fabric and only had to sew three sides.
  3. You will sew your bean bag into a pouch, leaving one side open and then add in your poly-fil beads. Then push them down to the bottom of your bean bag and sew up the top.
  4. Once all your bean bags are sewn up you are going to lay down half of your fleece pattern down on a large flat surface. If you have all the same fleece you are going to want to cut them apart first.
  5. On top of the one yard of fleece, map out all of your bean bags into a grid. I tacked them down to the side and across the top first, and quite honestly I did not do this perfect. The idea of this is to just try to distribute the weight throughout the blanket evenly.This simple weighted tie blanket is easy to make, easy to clean, and can grow with your child!
  6. To tack the bean bags down I sewed down the middle and all of the corners.This simple weighted tie blanket is easy to make, easy to clean, and can grow with your child!
  7. Once all the bean bags are tacked down it is time to tie! To do this lay the other half of the micro-fleece down on top of the other sheet, pattern up.
  8. Starting in the corners make two cuts and tie. Do every single corner before moving down the sides.This simple weighted tie blanket is easy to make, easy to clean, and can grow with your child!
  9. Once all four corners are double knotted, repeat down the sides making 1-2 inch cuts and double knotting.This simple weighted tie blanket is easy to make, easy to clean, and can grow with your child!

Once done enjoy! This is what the bean bags will look like from the outside.

This simple weighted tie blanket is easy to make, easy to clean, and can grow with your child!

Resource: Grab your Free Calming Strategies for Kids email course.

This blanket can easily grow with your kids and is machine washable. As your child gains weight simply untie a knot and tack in additional bean bags as needed. Also, you can use other materials such as rice or beans to make your blanket, however, if you do this remember that it will not be washable.

This simple weighted tie blanket is easy to make, easy to clean, and can grow with your child!

If your family makes this Weighted Tie Blanket we would love to see it! Tag us on Facebook with @Parenting Chaos or on Instagram with #ParentingChaos!

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