For many people with a sensory processing disorder, wearing weighted clothing and accessories can provide the proprioceptive sensory input they need to feel comfortable in their surroundings. One such garment is a weighted hat. While you can buy this accessory from a medical supplier, you can save some money by turning a regular hat into a weighted hat. By making a weighted hat at home, you can apply the desired amount of weights, as well as some one-of-a-kind flair.

  • For many people with a sensory processing disorder, wearing weighted clothing and accessories can provide the proprioceptive sensory input they need to feel comfortable in their surroundings.
  • By making a weighted hat at home, you can apply the desired amount of weights, as well as some one-of-a-kind flair.

Select a hat that you want to modify to be weighted. This might be a baseball hat or beanie cap. Avoid working with hats in hard materials, such as cowboy hats, which will be difficult to sew.

Measure how large you want the pocket holding the weight to be. This pouch will be located along the bottom edge or brim of the hat.

Cut two pieces of material in the size you want the weighted pocket to be, adding 1/4 inch all around to account for the seam.

  • Measure how large you want the pocket holding the weight to be.
  • Cut two pieces of material in the size you want the weighted pocket to be, adding 1/4 inch all around to account for the seam.

Place the two pieces of material on top of each other, with the decorated sides of the fabric facing inward. Pin them in place.

Sew a 1/4-inch seam around three sides of the pinned materials using a needle and thread or sewing machine. Turn the pocket right-side out.

Fill the pocket with a weight of your choice. This can be a handful of sand, coins or traditional weights. Sew along the final edge of the pouch to seal it shut.

Attach the weighted pocket wherever you desire on the hat. This can be done by sewing it on the outside of the hat's edge or gluing it under the brim. To have the option of removing the weight, attach the pouch with Velcro.

TIP

Make the weighted pocket out of a material that matches the hat, or add some extra flair by choosing a fabric with a pattern that will stand out. If you want to balance the hat, create weighted pockets for both sides.

WARNING

Add only as much weight as the hat wearer's head can comfortably support.