DIY :: Rice Heat Pack

I used fabric scraps we already had.

For years we've just thrown rice into an old, unmatched sock, tied the end and used that as a heat pack, but I thought that my brother {who works in construction all day} would appreciate one he could call his own.Although I came up with my own pattern for the heat pack I made, {one of my worst faults: not liking to follow project directions} it would be too complicated to write a tutorial out so I'll just share the excellent tutorial from Sew,Mama,Sew! {I got the idea from her in the first place.}

Note: I used fresh lavender mixed with rice and it works just as well as essential oil.
        Also, Mama mentioned that it'd be better to go with white rice because brown is more likely to smell rancid over time.

Rice Heat Therapy Bag Tutorial

		Rice Heat Therapy Bag with Washable Cover Materials you will need: fabric scraps 1/4 yard linen or other fabric (I used this linen blend.) 1/4 yard muslin 2 lbs short or medium grain rice essential oil 4″ of 3/4″ wide Velcro
		1. Cut Fabric 2 colored strips = 2″ x 7.75″ 1 colored strip = 3″ x 7.75″ short linen piece = 9.875″ x 7.75″ long linen piece for back = 14.625″ x 7.75″ 2 muslin pieces = 12.75″ x 7.75″
		2. Sew front strips together using narrow 3/8″ seam allowance.
		3. Fold over 1/4″ of one end of both the back and the front pieces. Press well with iron.
		4. Now fold that same edge under 1″ and press well. Make sure both the back and the front are exactly 1″ wide.
		5. Turn pieces right side up. Open up the crease that you just ironed (but not the 1/4″ fold.) Center and pin the velcro to the right side of the fabric, above the crease but slightly below that top, folded edge. Pin the hook piece of Velcro to one side of the bag and the loop piece to the other side of the bag.
		6. Sew Velcro in place. Using a short stitch length, carefully sew around all 4 sides of the Velcro.
		7. Place right sides of bag together. Carefully line up the top and sides. (Your Velcro will keep the pieces together, so no pins necessary!) Starting at the top (where the Velcro is), sew around three sides.
		8. Trim seam allowance.
		9. Fold Velcro edge to wrong side, using your creases as guides of where to fold.
		10. Sew around the top edge of the bag, just below the Velcro.
		11. Get your essential oil ready.
		12. Place 2 lbs. rice in bowl, sprinkle with essential oil and stir.
		13. Sew muslin pieces, with right sides together, leaving a 3″ opening on one of the short sides.
		14. Turn muslin bag right side out. Fill with rice.
		15. Stitch bag closed. (I shook all the rice to one end and machine-stitched the bag closed. It is tricky, but doable.)
		16. Place muslin bag into linen bag. Velcro closed.
		I also made a smaller bag with buckwheat and peppermint oil. This bag is for the freezer. I’ll be making one of these for my daughter in shades of green. A “boo boo” bag. She heads for the frozen peas any time she is injured, so maybe this will appeal to her.
		I made an eye pillow stuffed with flax seed. This is also for the freezer. I was lazy and didn’t make the washable cover for this one–just filled the pillow with flax and sewed it closed. I thought the oil might be too much when it is right next to your nose, so it is odorless.
		All three items are going in a “Wellness Bag” which I’ll tell you more about on November 30, when we’re presenting gift compilation ideas.
		Since these are being mailed to my gift recipient, and I won’t be there to explain them, I asked Lauren to make me some gift tags. They are very cute! You can print them onto card stock from this pdf.
		Enjoy!

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