Buying a Weighted Blanket vs. Making a Weighted Blanket

People frequently ask about making their own weighted blanket in order to save some money. I absolutely encourage anyone who enjoys a good Do-It-Yourself project to GO FOR IT!  So today I’m sharing how I began creating our weighted blankets.

I made the very first Weighting Comforts blankets at my kitchen table. With a home economics degree and 26 years of sewing experience, I figured a little online research was all I needed. After viewing a few tutorials and videos, I got to work gathering materials. I found the best value for beads and used coupons to purchase fabric. With a used baby scale to weigh the beads plus sidewalk chalk and ruler to mark the grid-lines for stitching, it was time to start sewing!

The first blanket was definitely a challenge. It took me about 4-5 hours to complete. Here’s my advice after sewing more blankets than I could count...

The hardest part is figuring out how to evenly distribute the beads. There is definitely a balance when it comes to the size of the pockets. Too big and the beads don’t stay in place; too small and the construction is a major drain of patience and time. Over time, I found the right size for the bead pockets.

First, figure out the total weight of the blanket (we recommend 10% of your body weight for a twin-sized blanket). Then divide that amount by the total number of pockets to find how many ounces of beads to pour into each pocket. We sew the vertical columns first, then add beads one horizontal row at a time. Add beads, then sew, and repeat.

Another pro tip: buy plenty of extra needles! I broke more than my fair share before mastering the art of keeping the beads out of the needle’s path while dealing with the weight of the rest of the blanket. It is a cumbersome process that takes a lot of practice. And did I mention needles?

Don’t be surprised if it takes quite some time to find an efficient process that produces a high-quality product.

Considering the cost of materials, time, and effort, we think it’s worth it to purchase a blanket. :)

When you purchase a Weighting Comforts blanket, you’ll receive a blanket that is the outcome of years of trial and error, customer feedback, and creating the most efficient process. This includes:

• High-quality professional thread that reduces the chance of breakage
• High-quality fabrics in three different temperature ranges
• Professional-grade sewing machines that can handle the wear and tear
• FDA-grade PVC beads made in the USA specifically for us
• Blankets are ethically sewn by refugees who have settled in Nashville, TN. Your purchase is helping them provide for their families.
• A finished product on your doorstep in just a few days
• A 30 Day Better Sleep Guarantee. If you need a heavier or a lighter weight, we’d be happy to exchange it within 30 days.

We hope this helps you decide whether to make or buy a weighted blanket. We believe it’s better to order a blanket online and spend your time doing something you love!

Take a look at our selection here.

Be Comforted!

Donna Durham, MMFT

Owner & Co-Founder

Weighting Comforts