Speaking of Weighted Blankets...

You can't wash rice. You do need to google weighted vests and other items like this. You can buy weights right on most of those websites or get an idea of the materials that would work for what you need.

One thing "I" did when I made a weighted vest was put a bunch of pockets in it. Then I could take out what ever weight I used and I could wash and dry the vest in the regular washer and dryer.

If you use a light weight fabric like plain cotton to make the blanket it will be cooler, man made materials reflect the heat back on you. I will say though, wash the fabric in the warmest water you will EVER wash it on. Then dry it on high. This way it won't shrink at all once you have cut it out and made your blanket.

So many seamstresses skip washing and drying the fabric and then are disappointed when they use their item and wash and dry it. Then it no longer fits or is the right shape.

You could even make bean bag pouches that fit in the pockets and use them for games too....lol!!!!

Here's a pattern that my sister used. It uses material as a filler, so it's easy to fill and wash. It probably is warm, but you may be able to use lighter material to make it and just make it to cover your torso so your legs are cooler.

https://www.projectlinus.org/patterns/pdf/CherylWtBlkt.pdf

In this pattern, they alternate material in a check-work pattern. My sister just used 2 solid sides and sewed them in the pattern. PM me if you want more info on it. :)

My mom made one for my son. It was Velcro, so we could take the "weights" (fish rocks) in and out.

I think it falls in line, I can not sleep with out a blanket on me, and two works better than one.

You can also try Compression shirts, might work the same and some are made to keep you cool and warm depending on the weather.

Good Luck.

M.,

I would STRONGLY suggest a sleep study. My 12 year old son was having a HORRIBLE time sleeping - which was causing a lot of other problems - ADD (lack of sleep makes the body go in to hyper overdrive) and other problems.

We FINALLY pressed hard enough with our pediatrician and a sleep study was ordered. We found our son had mild sleep apnea as well as restless leg - it can take him up to 2 hours to get to sleep - and melatonin does NOT work for him - nor does it work for me.

Any way - we found that he was lacking in stored iron as well - now that we have that up in a normal range - he is sleeping better.

Please go to your PCP and request a referral to a sleep study doctor.

Good luck!

Have you considered making an appointment with a sleep clinic. Medical establishment knows much more about sleep than they did just a few years ago.Your doctor can refer you.

I've had difficulty getting to sleep but mostly stayed asleep once I got there. I take Trazadone now most nights. It's a very early antidepressant that doesn't help much with depression but it does make one sleepy. Not out of it asleep; just sleepy enough to make it easier to get to sleep.

I've heard some say it makes them feel drugged. I found that my body adjusted to it in a couple of weeks taking it nightly so it didn't have this effect. I often get back up after taking it and felt alert, able to make good decisions.

I have also taken prescribed sleep aids but one can only take them briefly because they are addictive. One of my friends on the advice of her doctor,
takes a Benedryl type med to help her sleep.

The nurse in the clinic said that by taking a medication for a short period of time (my prescription was for a month) that we can train our body to go to sleep. I still take the trazadone often because I don't seem to be able to maintain a consistent routine.

I think before you run out and make or buy a blanket you should listen to Marda. It is much better for a doctor or a sleep study to figure out what could be causing your problems instead of guessing.

I have sensory issues, so does a couple of my kids. A weighted blanket would make it worse. My son has a tempurpedic mattress topper, that is perfect for him because if he was hot he would be worse. I have the same thing except in body pillow form.

Still the best way to get good sleep is to not have my mind running a mile a minute just before I go to bed. I don't read books, I don't work on work, I do nothing that stimulates my brain because if I do you could pile all the pillows in the world on me and I still won't sleep.

Like I said, listen to Marda. I feel like you will be wasting your time with a weighted blanket.

Here's a pattern that uses poly pellets, which is what my mom used when she made one for our son. It didn't help him sleep, but I had high hopes ...

http://craftnectar.com/2009/09/03/calming-the-senses-with...