Rob, I found using a cardboard tube from wrapping paper to help get those pellets down to the bottom of each square with a funnel taped to the top, hope you find this helpful as well. Best of luck on your new endeavors--
Thanks for the great tip, I love the longer tube idea. even a skinny pvc pipe may work in the summer when the wrapping tubes have all been used up for sword fighting.
I'm doing a weighted blanked for an adult. My husband and I use a pvc pipe and a funnell in the channel to pour the beads to the exact level needed. It's working for us. The hard part is managing the bulk!
Rewatching this for fun. Looking back and saw my original comment from 2 years ago. Cool. I recommend using a walking foot if you are making one very heavy. Over the last 2 years I’ve become more comfortable. I just finished a 18 pound blanket as a gift. I take my time and take many breaks.
I really like this format for your tutorials, much more educational. Much more relaxed and informative too. I sew for my niece who is now 15 and in a wheelchair. I've made her (all weighted), car blankets, vests, bibs (weighted down the shoulders which helps keep her head upright), headbands, poncho's, and a bath blanket when she takes a bath. Brought her anxiety down so much that her Mom no longer needs meds for her nerves. I've since done this for ADD and ADHD gsons and an ex father in law from 37 yrs ago, restless leg syndrome. I think I need one for myself, I have MS. Endless possibilities. Thanks Rob for your techniques for the 1st video and for this one too. One more thing...eegads... I've made this stuff with removable weighted bags on the smaller stuff so it's interchangeable, depending on the outfit so it coordinates. Plus it's easier to wash this way. For the blanket I've made slip covers that can be attached with velcro here and there for proper fit for the cover. Ideas would be appreciated if anyone has better things they've tried.... any and all welcome. goofybarbi@yahoo.com Barb from Tombstone AZ
Thank you so much for this amazing tutorial. I am a mom to two children with special needs and weighted blankets are big in our house. So many benefits. My toddler loves super soft and heavy so this will be perfect for him!!! My daughter however, overheats very easily. So, i use a cotton and this works well for her. I think people have to think about that when making these. It really does make a difference. I have always enjoyed your Channel. So talented!!!
I watched you previous tutorial on making a weighted blanket. I made 2 huge weighted blankets for Christmas presents. Each blanket has 150 squares. Each square has 1/8th of a cup of pellets in it Each blanket weights approximately 14 pounds. I used a very small measuring cup to pour the beads into each square. Sewed 5 squares closed at a time. As the blanket became heavier, I needed help lifting the blanket to the sewing machine to sew the squares closed. My son and his good friend love their blankets. Thank you for your tutorial. Keep them coming.
Thank you - Thank you - Thank you! I have TBI and PTSD so this will be incredibly helpful to me ... and sure looks far easier to make than a weighted vest ... please don't ask how many patterns for vest i bought before i got it right! ok, yeah, i heard that .... i bought 3 patterns - but the 1 was on sale! Absolutely loving your new channel ---- KUDOS to you!
I had an mTBI and still have sensory issues, I also have a kid on the spectrum so can't wait to make a couple of these in lap size so we can take them on the go. She already sleeps with a weighted blanket.
Rob, thank you for a great how to video. I like your methods and how you teach. Brings a smile to my face. I have been sewing for a long time and how I was taught has stayed with me. Glad you follow the same ways of the master teachers I have had.
I just made my first weighted! I made a... almost 5kb lap pad for my dad... he has Parkinson’s and he gets antsy to always be getting up to move and be doing something. He’s a serious fall risk I’m hoping that he will use this along with trying to use it on his lap space while sleeping due to the restless leg problems and hopefully keep him in bed for longer stretches because he doesn’t sleep very well at night. Anyway OUN PIN & More PINS !!!! I like that you made and smaller opening at the top of the channels... that would have been a huge help I mad 3-1/2 squares and watch square is quite full. I’ll bet using a stretch fabric will be a bit easier to manipulate sewing in the beads. It’s tricky tricky and yes some anxiety builds up for sure. The wonderful thing about the lap one I made... o don’t know the dimensions as I just cut a random rectangle and such not too much planning. But what I did learn when taking it to my dad to give to him.... it was really heaving my purse.... I ended up with it on my lap while driving and let me tell ya.... it really helps calm me for driving in traffic for just over and hour to get to my dads. My mom was impressed! As I’ve learned all my skills from her... she’s a master sewer, and had Ben a certified instructor in the past and has taught so many classes and how too classes with hand on... fee motion machine embroidery. She’s not as fast as the computerized embroidery but she has no limits to what she can do. .....Anyway I suggest one fro a driving weight one that folds up where the lap belt hits you to about an inch shy of your blended knee and enough to loo over the side of your thighs but not to hit the seat I don’t drive sitting Lady like at all so I’d have to sit in the car and measure and ad extra row width for the what will be taken up by thickness of the beads changing the finished project. I also too stitched around the entire outside after I turned it right sides out I thought reinforcements needed would help in durability u used a nice cotton but I doubled the thickness because it was more of a thinner quilt backing fabric in I wanted to make sure I had durability.
Rob I love that you left in the video what we all do.....break needles, take short cuts lol we all do these things. You are so relaxed in your videos now. Really enjoying your creating and sharing with us. Great camera work. I could see everything you were doing as if I was in a classroom.
Thank you I've just found your video. I am going to make a blanket for my son and myself. Thanks for your help and I will pass this video on to other how need it 😀
A weighted blanket was my first large project when I learned how to sew. I made it for my dad for Christmas in 2017. I wish I had done the top stitching as you did to make closing it easier. Luckily I didn't break a needle. I didn't use a denim needle but will be doing that next time for extra sturdiness. Thanks for the video!
I just learned about the stretch in long grain & cross grain a month or so ago. I've neen sewing for 60 years & hadn't known that & the importance of the straight or long grain. AND, I studied fashion design in college and was never taught a thing about it! Only that it stretches on the diagonal !!. What a difference it makes when stitching strips, blocks & triangles for quilts! (Now I understand why Acuquilt stresses thst we lay the fabric on the straight grain!)
I too never paid attention nor am I sure I care as much about how the grain lies for piecing with the cottons, but this certainly found it crucial for the minky, and I agree, I have answers now to old quilt issues.
Really like the quilt shown in this video the multi color quilt. Do you have a simplified pattern for the quilt that is featured behind this video that I can make as a throw?
GREAT tutorial! Also, I know you are still working on your new home set up, but this came out super pro! The camera angles were great, and allowed us to see everything we needed to see, the explanations were clear (as per usual lol), and lots of useful tips on working with minky. It can be a stinker sometimes, so those were most appreciated! Thanks for another awesome tutorial! =)
Cheryl, thanks for the solid feed back, I am certainly having fun if nothing else, I have been very encouraged with the progress so far. I found the editing on my new computer to be a joy, now I am trying to talk myself into the 2nd DSLR for the tutorials.
@@makingitfunwithmichaelmill8161 I am an enabler of spending $, especially when it comes to things you are going to use the crap out of...I say do it!! You will more than get your monies worth out of it!!
Love the process for sewing the 5" squares - what would happen if the olive side was the "unstretchy" and the colored square was "stretchy"? Would that not work better overall for the quilt?
Actually then most of your seams would be off, if you sew like me. I learned in this process how important both the Grain and the Nap are when working with Minky.
Thanks for this I was wondering are these beans the same as what you use for bean bags as i live in QLD Australia I am not sure where to get the filling
I think he continued to put 1/3 cup pellets in each vertical row and then sewed them in horizontally until he reached the top. It was unfortunate that the needle broke when it did because I think he should have made that more clear.
I always had a hard time with rolling the top to close the blanket. This is why i added more work for myself and finishing with a binding. Ugh...i hate doing binding. That is such a brilliant suggestion for the top stitching. Life saver!!!!!!!! Thank you ☺️
Thanks for the comment, but I do not understand. The Poly pellets are very washable. The weight may be hard on the washer or dryer as far as the machine is concerned. If you consider this not Environmentally Friendly, due the polyester being a petroleum product, I can not really debate that, nor do I have another natural filler that will not melt in water. Love to hear if you know of something better for the filler beans.
@@makingitfunwithmichaelmill8161 yes the filler is plastic and non biodegradable, I would use rice or buckwheat if they were washable....I have no idea of what I could use instead and was hoping you may and why I asked. Thanks for getting back to me if I do come across a product that is suitable I'll let you know.
As much as I like fleece, my concern is it getting sloppy over time as the fleece can stretch and distort. Minky has a webbed backing that allows it to flex but maintain it shape over the long haul of a good quilt or blanket😉
@@makingitfunwithmichaelmill8161 Hmm, what about denim, flannel or just quilting cotton then? I want to make a lap pad for my soon-to-be college student who's on the spectrum - something 3-4 lbs that she can put in her backpack and carry to class, and use even when it's warm in the room. She already sleeps with a weighted blanket (that isn't washable).
@@Sheila-kr8jr I think Denim would be a great choice and will add the weight too. First, I am no expert on this conversation, but personally, the feel of the fiber is very important to me, a denim and flannel combo sounds real nice.
My biggest problem is cutting. I use a ruler or I use tape but I still can not cut a straight line. EVER. Most of the time I can't sew straight. Why? Am I going to fast and hurrying?
Can you recommend a semi budget friendly machine for dealing with thicker fabrics, please? My machine can handle doing quilt tops in cotton but really struggled once I had more layers when making a purse. It is time for an upgrade but don’t need a lot of extra bells and whistles Eg. Embroidery or or extra stitches. Thank you to anyone who makes a suggestion.
I have been playing with the Juki machine lately, and I feel that they are great machines at an affordable price. They do make some industrial machine, but then you are limited to a straight stitch only. The Juki machines are certainly were I am look now.
You might like a vintage machine, the ones made of mostly metal are usually quite sturdy and can handle a lot more than the modern ones. I see them for sale frequently on Facebook market place for about $40 to $50, sometimes less!
I have a retired singer from a high school that retired their old machines. This machine does wedding gowns or huge tent zippers. One like it or around the same time frame would be awesome. I have fancy embroidery machines but with heavy duty things, I still prefer this old singer. Been sewing with it since 1989. Singer Graduated 6705. Best buttonhole machine I've ever used.
Rob, I found using a cardboard tube from wrapping paper to help get those pellets down to the bottom of each square with a funnel taped to the top, hope you find this helpful as well. Best of luck on your new endeavors--
Thanks for the great tip, I love the longer tube idea. even a skinny pvc pipe may work in the summer when the wrapping tubes have all been used up for sword fighting.
I'm doing a weighted blanked for an adult. My husband and I use a pvc pipe and a funnell in the channel to pour the beads to the exact level needed. It's working for us. The hard part is managing the bulk!
Rewatching this for fun. Looking back and saw my original comment from 2 years ago. Cool.
I recommend using a walking foot if you are making one very heavy. Over the last 2 years I’ve become more comfortable. I just finished a 18 pound blanket as a gift. I take my time and take many breaks.
Thank you for making this blanket for Autism awareness month. I have a 6yr old grandson that has Autism. Praise you for making everyone aware.
Glad to help, enjoy your Grandson, my folks say the grand kids are way better, haha
I really like this format for your tutorials, much more educational. Much more relaxed and informative too.
I sew for my niece who is now 15 and in a wheelchair. I've made her (all weighted), car blankets, vests, bibs (weighted down the shoulders which helps keep her head upright), headbands, poncho's, and a bath blanket when she takes a bath. Brought her anxiety down so much that her Mom no longer needs meds for her nerves. I've since done this for ADD and ADHD gsons and an ex father in law from 37 yrs ago, restless leg syndrome. I think I need one for myself, I have MS. Endless possibilities.
Thanks Rob for your techniques for the 1st video and for this one too.
One more thing...eegads...
I've made this stuff with removable weighted bags on the smaller stuff so it's interchangeable, depending on the outfit so it coordinates. Plus it's easier to wash this way. For the blanket I've made slip covers that can be attached with velcro here and there for proper fit for the cover. Ideas would be appreciated if anyone has better things they've tried.... any and all welcome. goofybarbi@yahoo.com
Barb from Tombstone AZ
Thank you so much for this amazing tutorial. I am a mom to two children with special needs and weighted blankets are big in our house. So many benefits. My toddler loves super soft and heavy so this will be perfect for him!!! My daughter however, overheats very easily. So, i use a cotton and this works well for her. I think people have to think about that when making these. It really does make a difference.
I have always enjoyed your Channel. So talented!!!
Thank you for your testimony, I know several folks who have kids that have benefitted greatly from the weighted blankets.
Making It Fun with Rob Appell made a blanket and wanted to share with you but not sure how to do that.
My 30-yr-old son is high functioning ASD. I never thought about making him a weighted blanket, but I'd bet he'd like it. Thanks.
I have a strong feeling he will, thanks.
Don't waste your time. If you truly want less anxiety, better sleep. Buy one! It is expensive. But, you are worth it. Every cent of it!
I watched you previous tutorial on making a weighted blanket. I made 2 huge weighted blankets for Christmas presents. Each blanket has 150 squares. Each square has 1/8th of a cup of pellets in it Each blanket weights approximately 14 pounds. I used a very small measuring cup to pour the beads into each square. Sewed 5 squares closed at a time. As the blanket became heavier, I needed help lifting the blanket to the sewing machine to sew the squares closed. My son and his good friend love their blankets. Thank you for your tutorial. Keep them coming.
Thanks for making the blankets for your son and his pal, I am sure that they do love them!
Thank you - Thank you - Thank you!
I have TBI and PTSD so this will be incredibly helpful to me ... and sure looks far easier to make than a weighted vest ... please don't ask how many patterns for vest i bought before i got it right!
ok, yeah, i heard that .... i bought 3 patterns - but the 1 was on sale!
Absolutely loving your new channel ---- KUDOS to you!
I had an mTBI and still have sensory issues, I also have a kid on the spectrum so can't wait to make a couple of these in lap size so we can take them on the go. She already sleeps with a weighted blanket.
Rob, thank you for a great how to video. I like your methods and how you teach. Brings a smile to my face. I have been sewing for a long time and how I was taught has stayed with me. Glad you follow the same ways of the master teachers I have had.
Awesome, glad you are here.
That so cool I have a grandson with autism I’m going to make him one thank so much for showing us how to make it all the best Donna
Sure that he will love it.
I really like this format! You seem more calm and it's easier to follow!
Thank you very much, I am really enjoying doing the filming myself.
Great worthwhile project ........loving your natural style of teaching 🤩👍🇦🇺
Thank you, I am having fun in the new studio
I just made my first weighted!
I made a... almost 5kb lap pad for my dad... he has Parkinson’s and he gets antsy to always be getting up to move and be doing something. He’s a serious fall risk I’m hoping that he will use this along with trying to use it on his lap space while sleeping due to the restless leg problems and hopefully keep him in bed for longer stretches because he doesn’t sleep very well at night. Anyway OUN PIN & More PINS !!!!
I like that you made and smaller opening at the top of the channels... that would have been a huge help
I mad 3-1/2 squares and watch square is quite full. I’ll bet using a stretch fabric will be a bit easier to manipulate sewing in the beads. It’s tricky tricky and yes some anxiety builds up for sure.
The wonderful thing about the lap one I made... o don’t know the dimensions as I just cut a random rectangle and such not too much planning. But what I did learn when taking it to my dad to give to him.... it was really heaving my purse.... I ended up with it on my lap while driving and let me tell ya.... it really helps calm me for driving in traffic for just over and hour to get to my dads. My mom was impressed!
As I’ve learned all my skills from her... she’s a master sewer, and had Ben a certified instructor in the past and has taught so many classes and how too classes with hand on... fee motion machine embroidery. She’s not as fast as the computerized embroidery but she has no limits to what she can do.
.....Anyway I suggest one fro a driving weight one that folds up where the lap belt hits you to about an inch shy of your blended knee and enough to loo over the side of your thighs but not to hit the seat
I don’t drive sitting Lady like at all so I’d have to sit in the car and measure and ad extra row width for the what will be taken up by thickness of the beads changing the finished project.
I also too stitched around the entire outside after I turned it right sides out I thought reinforcements needed would help in durability u used a nice cotton but I doubled the thickness because it was more of a thinner quilt backing fabric in I wanted to make sure I had durability.
Wow great tips, thanks so much for all of the information
Rob I love that you left in the video what we all do.....break needles, take short cuts lol we all do these things. You are so relaxed in your videos now. Really enjoying your creating and sharing with us. Great camera work. I could see everything you were doing as if I was in a classroom.
Thanks I am really loving my new format, glad that I am showing my reduction in stress already.
Thank you I've just found your video. I am going to make a blanket for my son and myself. Thanks for your help and I will pass this video on to other how need it 😀
Love your video. Nice to know I’m not the only one to break needles. I’m a beginner and learning a lot
Minky is certainly soft and more of a challenge to sew with pellets to boot! How would you wash this blanket?
It is washable, but due the weight, I would wash separately to reduce the abuse on the washing machine.
A weighted blanket was my first large project when I learned how to sew. I made it for my dad for Christmas in 2017. I wish I had done the top stitching as you did to make closing it easier. Luckily I didn't break a needle. I didn't use a denim needle but will be doing that next time for extra sturdiness. Thanks for the video!
My pleasure, glad that you were successful in creating a weighted blanket already, very well done.
Love Michael Miller fabrics! Great video
I just learned about the stretch in long grain & cross grain a month or so ago.
I've neen sewing for 60 years & hadn't known that & the importance of the straight or long grain. AND, I studied fashion design in college and was never taught a thing about it! Only that it stretches on the diagonal !!.
What a difference it makes when stitching strips, blocks & triangles for quilts!
(Now I understand why Acuquilt stresses thst we lay the fabric on the straight grain!)
I too never paid attention nor am I sure I care as much about how the grain lies for piecing with the cottons, but this certainly found it crucial for the minky, and I agree, I have answers now to old quilt issues.
Really like the quilt shown in this video the multi color quilt. Do you have a simplified pattern for the quilt that is featured behind this video that I can make as a throw?
I love that you are still on here doing awesome tutorials!! Does Jerry have a new shirt on?? Lol...love the new studio,,good for you!!
Why yes, yes he does, with my New Logo on it.
Thanks for this great tutorial. I want to make one for daughter who suffers with anxiety.
GREAT tutorial! Also, I know you are still working on your new home set up, but this came out super pro! The camera angles were great, and allowed us to see everything we needed to see, the explanations were clear (as per usual lol), and lots of useful tips on working with minky. It can be a stinker sometimes, so those were most appreciated! Thanks for another awesome tutorial! =)
Cheryl, thanks for the solid feed back, I am certainly having fun if nothing else, I have been very encouraged with the progress so far. I found the editing on my new computer to be a joy, now I am trying to talk myself into the 2nd DSLR for the tutorials.
@@makingitfunwithmichaelmill8161 I am an enabler of spending $, especially when it comes to things you are going to use the crap out of...I say do it!! You will more than get your monies worth out of it!!
Fantastic video, may God be good to you xx
Thank you, and He certainly has been this far.
Rob, I’m a fan😎
I use a pvc pipe to add pellets, works great!
Can that little vacuum be used to clean the sewing machine? Where can I get one to clean the sewing machine? Thank you ♥️
Love the process for sewing the 5" squares - what would happen if the olive side was the "unstretchy" and the colored square was "stretchy"? Would that not work better overall for the quilt?
Actually then most of your seams would be off, if you sew like me. I learned in this process how important both the Grain and the Nap are when working with Minky.
Great job, thank you so much for making it seem possible to do!
My pleasure, it is very possible, but one of the better workouts I have had in my sewing room. Take it slow and pin often
Awesome project
Thanks for the comment!
How to purchase your material.?
Thanks for this I was wondering are these beans the same as what you use for bean bags as i live in QLD Australia I am not sure where to get the filling
Kim, bean bag beans are much lighter and wouldn't work, spotlight sell them (I don't know about Lincraft...).
Are there pellets in every row? Or just in the bottom?
I think he continued to put 1/3 cup pellets in each vertical row and then sewed them in horizontally until he reached the top. It was unfortunate that the needle broke when it did because I think he should have made that more clear.
I always had a hard time with rolling the top to close the blanket. This is why i added more work for myself and finishing with a binding. Ugh...i hate doing binding.
That is such a brilliant suggestion for the top stitching. Life saver!!!!!!!! Thank you ☺️
I am not a big fan of binding with Minky, so this made the most sense to me, glad it helped you as well.
It sure did!!!
Rob, I love your work but can you make another one that has an environmentally friendly filler/weights that is still washer and dryer friendly...tia
Thanks for the comment, but I do not understand. The Poly pellets are very washable. The weight may be hard on the washer or dryer as far as the machine is concerned. If you consider this not Environmentally Friendly, due the polyester being a petroleum product, I can not really debate that, nor do I have another natural filler that will not melt in water. Love to hear if you know of something better for the filler beans.
@@makingitfunwithmichaelmill8161 yes the filler is plastic and non biodegradable, I would use rice or buckwheat if they were washable....I have no idea of what I could use instead and was hoping you may and why I asked. Thanks for getting back to me if I do come across a product that is suitable I'll let you know.
Would fleece be a good choice instead of minky?
As much as I like fleece, my concern is it getting sloppy over time as the fleece can stretch and distort. Minky has a webbed backing that allows it to flex but maintain it shape over the long haul of a good quilt or blanket😉
@@makingitfunwithmichaelmill8161 Hmm, what about denim, flannel or just quilting cotton then? I want to make a lap pad for my soon-to-be college student who's on the spectrum - something 3-4 lbs that she can put in her backpack and carry to class, and use even when it's warm in the room. She already sleeps with a weighted blanket (that isn't washable).
@@Sheila-kr8jr I think Denim would be a great choice and will add the weight too. First, I am no expert on this conversation, but personally, the feel of the fiber is very important to me, a denim and flannel combo sounds real nice.
My biggest problem is cutting. I use a ruler or I use tape but I still can not cut a straight line. EVER. Most of the time I can't sew straight. Why? Am I going to fast and hurrying?
Have you tried putting a weight on the ruler? I find that it helps keep the ruler in place
Please do a washable version!
I am sorry, why do you not consider this washable?
Is it washable with the pellets in then?
Yes the pellets are washable, but the weight of the blank may be an issue, but all the materials are polyester bases and very washable.
Are you still doing Man Sewing?
No, this is the new place for all of my energy
Can you recommend a semi budget friendly machine for dealing with thicker fabrics, please? My machine can handle doing quilt tops in cotton but really struggled once I had more layers when making a purse. It is time for an upgrade but don’t need a lot of extra bells and whistles Eg. Embroidery or or extra stitches. Thank you to anyone who makes a suggestion.
I have been playing with the Juki machine lately, and I feel that they are great machines at an affordable price. They do make some industrial machine, but then you are limited to a straight stitch only. The Juki machines are certainly were I am look now.
Thank you!
You might like a vintage machine, the ones made of mostly metal are usually quite sturdy and can handle a lot more than the modern ones. I see them for sale frequently on Facebook market place for about $40 to $50, sometimes less!
I have a retired singer from a high school that retired their old machines. This machine does wedding gowns or huge tent zippers. One like it or around the same time frame would be awesome. I have fancy embroidery machines but with heavy duty things, I still prefer this old singer. Been sewing with it since 1989. Singer Graduated 6705. Best buttonhole machine I've ever used.