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How to Make a Weighted Stuffed Animal

A soft and cuddly stuffed animal may be just what the doctor ordered to help sooth a child. By adding weights, the stuffed animal can be used to comfort a child with special needs. According to the officials of the Autism Society, the pressure provided by weights in blankets and stuffed animals delivers a calming effect, enabling a child to relax and sleep. You can enlist the child in helping to design this weighted stuffed animal.

Things You'll Need

Craft paper
Crayons
Copier
Scissors
1 yard of fabric
Straight pins
Sewing machine
Plastic beanbag pellets
Needle and thread
Fabric pens

Instructions

- 1
  Instruct the child to draw his favorite animal on the craft paper with the crayons. Enlarge the size of the drawing with a copier if necessary.
- 2
  Cut out the design and use it as a template for the weighted stuffed animal. Pin the template on the fabric and cut out a front and back from the fabric, adding 1/4 inch to the edges for a seam allowance.
- 3
  Place the right sides of the fabric together and sew a straight stitch to connect the front to the back, 1/4 inch from the edge of the fabric. Leave a 4-inch section unsewn.
- 4
  Turn the animal to the right side. Fill the fabric animal with the plastic beanbag pellets. Hand-sew the edge closed with the needle and thread.
- 5
  Draw facial features on the stuffed animal with the fabric pens.

Stuffed Animals