Weighted blankets - i have some questions!

[barefoot]

I have read about the benefits of weighted blankets (e.g. for anxiety and sleep) and know that some of you have them. I quite fancy one and think I would like it to use in bed. But the ones I've seen online seem expensive (£200+ for a large one) and I can't afford that right now.

My questions to any of you who can help are:

- has your experience of having a weighted blanket been a positive one? Do you think it has helped? In particular, has anyone found that it has helped with parasomnias eg night terrors)?

- am I looking in the wrong places and they are available for a lot less money than I have seen?

- has anyone made their own? If so, was it straightforward or tricky? (I have zero sewing skills/experience and don't relish the idea of making one but if it's something I might be able to do myself at the fraction of the cost, it's something I can think about) Are there any particular instructions or online videos that you followed, which were very straightforward and clear that you'd be willing to share?

- is the weight you go for just a matter of personal preference?

- does it make you hot? Are heavier ones hotter than lighter ones? I want to use it in bed and getting too hot is something that I've identified as making a night terror more likely to happen. So I don't want to have a weighted blanket to help me relax and sleep well and then it triggers unwanted night time activity because I get too hot!

- what are your experiences of different fabrics? Again, is fabric choice just a matter of personal preference and what you personally like the feel of? I guess some fabrics might be cooler/hotter?

Any feedback on any of the above very much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[7Cs]

I have read about the benefits of weighted blankets (e.g. for anxiety and sleep) and know that some of...

I don't know much about them but you may want search for them on Etsy. Lap blankets are much cheaper than full size so you could look into those too.

 

[Sandstone]

There is a video at The Weighted Blanket: An Easy Quilting Project by Rob Appell of Man Sewing that I have saved against the day I make one

 

[Crow]

My blanket has made a world of difference for me. If you can't buy one right now (I think it's complicated to make with the individual pockets for the filler), try finding two or three wool blankets from a military surplus store. They're very heavy and would give you the same kind of weight though be very warm.

Here in the states, sites like Etsy have them for a lot less than the commercial websites.

 

[Crow]

I got cotton fabric and glass beads and while it's a little warmer, I sleep just fine in summer and have a comforter over the blanket in winter.

My main blanket is 25lbs but it's a queen size that fits the entire bed. I have two smaller blankets for the couch and travel, 10lbs and 6lbs. You may want to get a smaller blanket. They run $70usd over here from commercial websites. It's not quite full body but still, for me anyway, calms me down.

 

[Junie-pie]

I have read about the benefits of weighted blankets (e.g. for anxiety and sleep) and know that some of...

I don't have a weighted blanket but I have a VERY thick, fluffy, king sized blanket I received for Christmas that was less than $100. If you're looking for an alternative I suggest just getting a super super thick blanket

 

[barefoot]

Thanks for replies. I was thinking I'd get a large one to pretty much cover the whole king size bed - maybe that's why the ones I've seen have been so expensive! And it sounds from you guys that maybe a smaller one would do just as good as a job, which is very handy to know.

@7Cs @CrowFeather @Junie-pie thanks for the tips. I will check out Etsy - don't know why I hadn't thought of that! And army surplus is a good idea too for something weighty - I'll look into that as have a shop near me.

@Sandstone - Ha! "Man sewing" :-) I actually just started watching that and found it quite soothing - once I'd got over stressful memories of my horrible textiles teacher accusing me of breaking the sewing machine in a lesson when I was 14! :-) Having watched some of it, I think it is probably beyond me and I would get very stressed out! But I'm wondering if it's something my MILF might be able to help with. I might put some feelings out with her...

 

[barefoot]

Oh my God - I meant MIL (mother-in-law) NOT MILF!!!!
Damn the absence of an edit button now!!!
<fluster fluster>
Bah!

 

[ladee]

Thanks for the laugh this morning..that was better than any weighted blanket!
With tears in my eyes from laughing, hope you find what you need...ahhh that laugh felt good. Thank you!

 

[Nessa7]

It's definitely not a beginner's project. The big thing to keep in mind about making your own weighted blanket is that it can be a somewhat dangerous project. Any time your needle hits something plastic there's a chance that needle is going to break. It would be best to wear safety goggles and not have any children or pets in the room.

 

[barefoot]

@ladee Not sure my MIL would laugh! Actually...she probably would!
I certainly won't be putting feelers out to her in that way! :-)

 

[barefoot]

@Nessa7 Thank you - you have put me off, so I will definitely look at Etsy/army surplus options! :-)