#sensorydirect

[the-boy-who-loves-balloons]

The 3 tried and tested ways to calm your active Sensory Seeker!

Do you have a Sensory Seeker at home? Are they very active and fidgety ? Are you wondering how to keep them calm and happy? Then worry no more, I may just have the answers your looking for. My boy is a Sensory Seeker. This means he needs a lot of sensory input for all his senses. He can be very active, heavy handed and quite aggressive in his movements. He cannot help this. He is a Sensory…

[ellapurnelltextiledesign-blog]

Weighted Textiles - prototypes and final products

To finalise the Weighted Textiles project within the last unit, I had decided from the beginning that I wanted to end the project by making some weighted products using the fabrics I had designed. This was the sole purpose of the project. I wanted the context brought to life even further, and this was something that I hadn’t achieved before within any previous briefs. All of the research I had under taken, and all of the conversations I had with people had been based around the idea of creating these types of products by way of finalisation. Of course different websites suggested slightly different measurements and weights, but none of them differed too much and the general idea was still the same. Weighted products are always bought or made with an individual in mind, said individual having had recommendations by professionals such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists, therefore every person will have different requirements in regards to weights and materials. I decided to design these final products using the weights and measurements suitable for someone who’s bodyweight averaged the same as mine (48kg). 

The first image shows the prototype I made for the weighted lap pad, alongside the final weighted lap pad as I had started making it. I made the prototype purely to practice the process, having never put together anything that was weighted before. I used the prototype as a means to discovering the sorts of measurements I would need in regards to square centimetres and how much weight would need to go into each one. I wanted to practice actually stitching each part together, and I wanted to test how close and durable my stitches would need to be to hold the weight substantially within this particular fabric (cotton canvas). I decided to use poly pellets for the weight, having had conversations with people I knew who had made weighted products before, and going on their instruction of their use. I also checked on https://www.sensorydirect.com, as their products were the ones I had used to reference this project’s context, and found that they use poly pellets for all of the products available on their website. Poly pellets are also machine washable.

The second and third photographs show an almost finished prototype, which was simply machine stitched along the top. Alongside the first measurements of the final weighted lap pad, which were exactly the same as the prototype. The dimensions were (L) 66cm x (W) 51cm with a weight of 2kg, which was Sensory Direct’s recommendation for a weighted lap pad suitable for older children, teens and adults (however this depends on the individual and their preference). Each square measured 17cm x 13cm and contained 125g of poly pellets. Although a weighted lap pad is what it says in the title, it can also be draped over the shoulders, across the arms or legs, across the torso- wherever the individual feels they may need an element of deep pressure. Sensory Direct state in this product’s description that, “Our Lap Pads are ideal for use in the classroom, at reading time, at the dinner table or in the car. The weight has a calming effect helping attention span and reducing excessive fidgeting. They are a cost effective, safe and portable tool for use whenever and wherever needed. They are made from high quality cotton and filled with plastic pellets for safety and comfort.” The prototype and the final product weighted lap pad for my Weighted Textiles project are both made using cotton canvas as mentioned above. When choosing which fabric to test out and have my final design digitally printed onto, I wanted something that would be strong and durable. I also wanted a material which would print the colours within my chosen design vibrantly. Cotton canvas is also very tactile, its thick and weighty and has a slightly tougher, and rougher feel to it than most other cottons, therefore it maintains the quality of the natural fabric but also may adhere to tactile sensory needs. 

The third and fourth images above show the beginnings of the makings of the final weighted blanket. After having a discussion with Les about the finished weighted lap pad, he suggested that its aesthetic qualities may not be perfect due to the white thread which was visible from the stitching of each square. I decided to attempt to solve this within the making of the weighted blanket, therefore what would have been the blanket prototype, became the actual weighted blanket, and was then attached to the inside of the printed fabric which was sewn together similarly to a duvet cover. (The method of attachment is shown within the sixth and final image). The inside of the blanket which is the part containing the weighted pockets has dimensions of (L) 138cm x (W) 106cm, and weighs 4.8kg. Each square is 17cm x 17cm and contains 100g of poly pellets. Sensory Direct’s recommendation for somebody weighing at least 45kg was 4.5kg, and the recommended user weight for somebody weighing at least 60kg was 6.0kg (10% of the person’s body weight). Therefore 4.8kg would be suitable for an individual weighing an average of 48kg. The measurements of the outer layer were slightly bigger than the inner dimensions, but only by a centimetre or two. This ensured that the weighted part of the blanket would fit inside the patterned outer. The dimensions for the inner part were taken from Sensory Direct’s measurements for their ‘Classic Weighted Blanket’. Within the product description, Sensory Direct also provide the following health and safety regulations in regards to using the weighted blanket: 

- Use under the supervision of an adult at all times.  Do not allow a child to use a weighted blanket unsupervised. - Never use a weighted blanket as a restraint - Ensure that the head and face are not under the weighted blanket when in use - Ensure that the user can self remove the weighted blanket - Do not use a weighted blanket in conjunction with any other weighted product - Do not use in a cot with babies or infants - Use the weighted blanket for short periods of time initially & increase as needed, under supervision - Not recommended for small children – if in doubt consult with your Occupational Therapist    

Sensory Direct also provide the following washing and cleaning recommendations:

- Weighted Blankets are machine washable at a recommended washing temperature of 40°C

- Do not tumble dry or iron a weighted blanket as this may damage the beads.   Check the weight capacity of your washing machine prior to washing.

The same recommendations apply for both the weighted blanket and the weighted lap pad made as final products for the Weighted Textiles project, however these are recommended to be washed at a temperature of 30°C rather than 40°C. Whilst Sensory Direct’s blanket is made using a polycotton, the weighted blanket for the Weighted Textiles project is made using cotton satin for the inner weighted part, and cotton drill for the top patterned piece of the blanket, with cotton satin used again for the backing. The colours within the pattern print exactly the same of both materials, however the mixture of two cottons provides some sensory interaction. While the cotton satin is smooth and light to touch, it’s aim is to provide a feeling of comfort, whereas the cotton drill is slightly rougher (although not as rough as cotton canvas) this provides tactile integration if needed or wanted. The blanket can be carried around (despite its weight), so to ensure that the inner does not move around inside the cover it has been attached using what were initially scraps of left over fabric, sewn together to make ties which tie the weighted inside and the inside of the cover together. There are ties on each of the four corners, as well as a tie on the bottom middle. Both final products are finished on one edge with a ladder stitch using strong cotton, ensuring durability and safety alongside a neat edge.