How to Make a Microwaveable Heating Pad

A Microwaveable Heating Pad makes a wonderful gift. Attach a note to present on how to use and launder.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Approximately 2.5 lbs of rice (do not use instant rice)
• 10-15 Tea Bags or 10-15 tsp of loose tea
• 26in. X 7in. Heavy White Cotton or linen fabric
• 1 package of Blanket Binding (can be found where fabric is sold)
• Funnel (top cut off a soda bottle)
• Velcro with a sticky back

1. Mix rice and tea in a bowl blend well (cut open tea bags and place loose tea in bowl).

2. Cut white fabric 26in x 7in. Then fold it in half; sew bottom, side, and leave the top open for filling.

3. 

   Turn right side out so you don't see your stitching and fill with rice 2/3 of the way full. After filling, tuck top in 1/2in and sew top.

4. 

   Unfold Blanket Binding, cut at a length 54in., and iron out crease.
   Fold in half, front to front, and sew side leaving top open. Fold hem in 1/2in and attach Velcro (with sticky back) two per side.

5. 

   Turn right side out and slide the rice filled white fabric into the cover and Velcro closed.

Tips & Warnings

• Microwave for 90 seconds and place around neck, small of back, or across lap for menstrual cramps.
• I used opened Chamomile Tea Bags for fragrance but I intend to experiment with all types of tea. I like using the tea because it comes in a variety of soothing smells and is readily available.
• I tried to make this craft as simple as possible with as little sewing as possible. You can add your own variation to this craft but I wanted to make it as easy to make as I could. For that reason that is why I used blanket bidding. It is easy to work with, the sides don't fray, it is inexpensive, and it comes in a variety of colors.
• Remember nothing metal can go in the microwave so do not replace the Velcro with snaps it will spark.
• Cover can be taken off and washed on gentle cycle but the white cotton fabric with filling can not be washed.

Resources

• Sewing and Crafting with Sarah

[respectfully]

on 8/16/2009 thanks for sharing this. everone can use this sometime or another. Be sure to drop in some of my articles. Glad I had the pleasure to drop in and I'm glad I did. 5*

[mnc09]

on 8/16/2009 I love rice and tea bags! I used one for after my wisdom teeth surgery. The tea smells great (simple teas like Chamomile or vanilla are less distracting when you're trying to sleep) and the thinner texture of rices is more comfortable than the heavy corn or bean pads. To easier adjust the pads, I suggest sewing a horizontal line every three or so inches down the bag and filling each section as you go. This idea helped me to wrap my heating pad around both jaws during recovery, for example.

[Meri]

on 10/30/2008 Thanks for sharing.

[rdeedy]

on 6/22/2008 Thank you, I've been looking for this "eHow" for a long time! The added tea sounds great.

[Hapworth]

on 6/18/2008 Great idea. I love crafts, especially sewing.