How to Sew a Pillow of Rice
A disposable heating or cooling pad can help relieve aches and pains but single-use pads can get expensive if you use them often. A homemade heating or cooling bag will also soothe your aches and pains. If you fill a fabric bag with rice and some essential oils, you have a pillow that will help to relax your aching back or neck. You can make rice pillows in a variety of sizes and shapes to soothe your neck, back, feet or head and you can even give them as gifts for friends and relatives.
Things You'll Need
- Sturdy cotton, muslin or fleece fabric
- Rotary cutter or scissors
- Sewing machine and thread
- Funnel
- Scoop
- Dry rice
- Straight pins
Instructions
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1
Cut two identical rectangles from your fabric. Cut your fabric 1/2 inch wider than your final size and 1 inch longer. If you want a pillow that is 5 inches by 8 inches cut rectangles that are 5 1/2 inches by 9 inches.
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2
Line up and pin the fabrics so the edges match and the wrong sides of the fabric face out.
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3
Sew around three sides of the fabric using a 1/4-inch seam. Leave one short side open.
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4
Turn the fabric bag right side out and arrange the fabric so that it lays flat.
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5
Sew around the same three sides of the fabric a 1/4 inch from the edge. This helps to secure the seam.
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6
Place the funnel into the open end of the fabric bag and scoop dry rice into the funnel to fill the bag. Fill the bag about three-quarters full with rice. A bag this size will take about 2 pounds of rice.
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7
Fold the fabric at the open end of the bag towards the inside of the bag to enclose the raw edges. Pin the bag closed.
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8
Sew back and forth across the open end of the bag several times to secure the seam. Use a 1/4-inch seam and keep the rice away from this end of the bag as you sew.
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Tips & Warnings
To make a washable cover for the bag, wrap one piece of fabric around the bag and add 1 inch on each side before you cut. Sew two sides of the fabric together, leaving one short end open. Fold the raw edges of the fabric down twice and sew around the end to enclose them. You now have a washable pillowcase for your rice bag. Customize your bag by adding essential oils or dry herbs to the rice before sewing the bag closed. Chill your bag by placing it in the freezer for 30 minutes or warm it in the microwave for 1 minute at a time until it reaches the desired temperature.
Do not wash your rice bag. The rice will grow mold or rot if it gets wet. Use caution when heating your rice bag. It holds heat very effectively and gets hot quickly.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty Images
