So this is a project that’s been in the back of my mind for months, but it took finding the perfect fabric to get motivated and get going on it. When I laid my eyes on Amy Butler’s LOVE flannels, I knew it was time. I chose this vibrant, yet soothing flannel and got busy.
See, there’s a particular day each month *ahem* that makes me yearn for a good, heavy heating pad, but by the time my body reminds me that I want it….well, I’m just too crabby to sew. 😉 This month, though, I’m prepared.
Gorgeous, right? If only you could feel, smell and pet it. It turns out that Amy Butler’s super-luxurious flannel + rice + lavender essential oils = heaven. In case you were wondering.
I didn’t have the details for the heating pad worked out in my mind, but I find if I just start cutting fabric….it just all works out. Usually. This was one of those fortunate times and I’m thrilled that it only took my one shot to achieve the sectioned heating pad glory I was after. I was nervous that I would fail at achieving the sectioned design that I was picturing in my mind, but I came up with a little trick that makes it super easy.
Ready to begin? You know you want one! I knocked this one out in under an hour while still in my pajamas this morning.
I interrupt to bring you this important message. I have found many, many people blatantly ripping off and even selling this free tutorial for their own benefit. If you feel the need to share my heating pad on another site, I would love that. But please DO NOT include the steps showing how to make it. Link back to this post. Do not sell the tutorial. Do not recreate it modifying my wording just enough to make it “yours”. I appreciate links back and try to make sure to thank each one. On the other hand, I always try to call out copycats and thieves. Thank you and have a nice day. Oh…and enjoy your heating pad!
Cut two 19″ x 8″ rectangles of high quality flannel. I bought 1/2 yard of this one and it’s enough to make 2 heating pads.
Serge (without cutting fabric) one of the short ends of each piece. (I don’t like raw edges.)
Pin your pieces right sides together.
Serge 1/4″ along the two long sides and the other short end. This short end will be the “bottom” of our project for tutorial purposes.
Then, on your open end (top) start sewing approximately 1″ from the side with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Continue around the fabric until you return to the top edge and stop when you’re about 1″ into it again. That makes very little sense, so here’s a pic:
Now you’re nice and reinforced. We want this thing to be sturdy and never leak so much as a grain of rice!
Cut diagonally across all 4 corners without cutting into your seam.
Turn it right side out, make your corners nice and square, press it and topstitch along the edge.
Starting at the seamline at the bottom of your project, mark the pad into six 3″ sections using a chalk pencil. My lines didn’t show up very clearly in the pictures, but you get the idea.
I think.
Put 4 1/2 cups of uncooked rice (or flax seed or whatever filler you prefer. I like the weight of the rice. ) in a large zip baggie and throw in some of your favorite essential oils. Shake! Shake! Shake!
Now, take 3/4 cup of your rice/oil mix and dump it into your heating pad.
My concern was how to contain the rice long enough to sew the barrier seam. Hmmmmm…..A-HA! A temporary barrier! I pinned the rice back about 1/2″ away from my marked line leaving just enough room for the presser foot to pass by.
The problem with that was that it was a tad difficult doing it with the pad lying flat on the table (or my bed as you see in my pics. 😉 ) So…..I hung it from my ironing board using my iron to weight it down. Work with gravity, baby.
Stitch it up and repeat for all 6 sections.
After filling your final section, sew your barrier seam near the top edge and then the folds in and zigzag the very edge.
That’s the toughest part…and it’s not even so tough. And…you’re done!
You’re final product will measure 18″ x 7″ which is ideal for abdominal cramps, sore lower back or tense neck.
It rolls up nicely to tuck into a bedside drawer.
And I’m pretty sure that my next project will be a cute little drawstring bag in a coordinating fabric. Perfect for storage and for gift-giving. I’ll keep you posted on that project. 🙂 EDIT: Drawstring Bag Tutorial has been added!
Stick it in the microwave for around 2 minutes. Of course, this time varies from one microwave to the next. Just be very careful not to overheat (it will stink and can hurt ‘cha!).
Also….you can store it in your freezer for cold therapy on an injure knee, back, etc…
So…there you have it. Now get busy! 😉
Now Available: Heating Pad COVER Tutorial!
I paid $60. for a pad just a little larger than this. It was full of all kinds of herbs and oils. I just want to pass this information on to all of you who use this. The instruction was to store this pad in a plastic zip type bag and keep in the freezer until you need it. Then heat in the microwave for 1 minute ONLY. Keeping it in the freezer until needed help preserve the herbs and oils for a longer period of time. I know I won’t be paying $60. for one again. I’m going to make another one in your smaller version, just perfect for my neck and put lavender oil in it for my headaches.
I just followed your directions and my heating pad came out perfect. I surged the end pieces together, then stiched around like you did. I loved your tip to surge, as it can guarantee that no rice is going to escape. I didn’t have any oils so I opened up two bags of vanilla chai tea and shook that in.
It feels soo good. Thanks so much for the great tutorial. I’ll be following your drawstring bag next to store it.
This is one of the best tutorials I have seen and I have been searching for a good one. Off to the fabric store now to get my fabric. Thank you!
I need someone to make me one of these for xmas does anybody have one for sale??? 2014.
I want to buy one today for a xmas present it is 11/2014
please email me if you can make me one or have one for sale. thanks so much!
What a beautiful tutorial. You make sewing seem easy. Thank you for sharing, you have a gift!
Thanks so much for this post! I was searching for a good heating pack tutorial… Going to make a few for mothers day!
I used your great tut to make cold paks of the same design. I simply replaced the rice with 1/2 teaspoon of Miracle Grow Water Storing Crystals in each section. When put into a dish of cold water, the crystals expand to hold the water, and make a great cold compress that lasts for hours. You simply return it to cold water (and can put in the frig) to make it very cold again. You cannot freeze these, but they stay very cold. They can also be immersed in water until plumped, then put in the microwave for a hot pak (do it at 20 second intervals, and check the temp after each). I wash ours by hand with Dawn dish liquid and just air dry them in the sunshine or over the shower rod, they cannot be dried in the dryer!
Where is the “BUY” button????
I can’t sew and don’t have a machine anyway but I would LOVE this!
Thanks so much!
I just did this today (10/23/15) and its awesome. Love the dimensions. It was a bit of a struggle to get the rice to stay on one side while sowing but did what you said of using the pins and it worked (my lines were crooked but i don’t care) Thanks for your tutorial.
Hey I am making these as Christmas gifts this year and I am looking for something to pair it with. Any ideas? I was thinking of lavender essential oil spritzers to spray the heating pad with for some extra scent. Not sure what these would go well with. Thanks in advance 🙂
Thank you, so much, for the tutorial! I am planning on making this for my daughter-in-law for Christmas!!!
Do you think I would hold with no sew adhesive for a make n take class? I would love these as an option!
Can no see adhesive be microwaved? Do you think I would hold with no sew adhesive for a make n take class? I would love these as an option!
Hi,
It may be helpful for some to stitch the 3 inch sections all across the board without the rice, and leave one long side of the pad unstitched, this way, after the sections are all stitched, you can fill them up with rice, pin the whole long side at once, and just have one long finishing stitch. This way, you don’t have to pin and stitch six times after each time you fill with rice. Thanks,
Heather
Ohmigoodness! These look and sound wonderful! Once I get my serger up & running, I’ll get to enjoy! I knew you were crafty, but, wow! Love ya lady. Give that precious little one hugs for me!
Are you still making these? I’d love to buy some!
I have made a number of these without a pattern, just used my imagination, but never thought of using essential oils, what a nice idea. Thanks for sharing.
Hi. I found your tutorial a few years ago and have made a few of these to use or give as gifts. Changed up a little for my preference or time. Love them. I’m not sure if this actual idea is your original but out of courtesy will ask. I had planned to sell some as a fundraiser for our church – not for my own profit. Please reply as I’m supposed to be taking a sample tomorrow.
BJR. A tous je m’appelle Monique j.ai fait un coussin chauffant avec des graines d’oiseaux et un autre pour le congelateur Ca fait tres bien et pas chere non pls
just a note to thank you ..I came across your site that I saved at Christmas and it reminded me …. to say THANK YOU,, I used your pattern to make a couple of these as gifts and my friends love theirs as much as I love my heating pad …thank you for providing such wonderful detail and pattern ..
My nice has Epilepsy and besides suffering with seizures, she also gets frequent Migraines. She is currently a college student and got one of these from a Chiropractor. She would like a second one so she doesn’t have to take that one back & forth. Last year I bought several small baby blankets hoping to find something to do with them. They are so soft and just the right size. Plan on sewing at least 2 of these this week. Thanks!
This tutorial was fantastic, especially your trick for dealing with the rice while sewing! I’ve already made three, and have a few more planned for the holidays. I’m a newbie sewer, and this pattern helped me become friends with my sewing machine 😛
I got what you intend, thankyou for putting up.Woh I am lucky to find this website through google. Being intelligent is not a felony, but most societies evaluate it as at least a misdemeanor. by Lazarus Long. edkaeefedbffcafc
Thank you so much. I made one and will do more tomorrow for my fellow educators for Christmas
Thanks for the tutorial. I have been making these for quite a while now and your tutorial is what started it. Of course, I changed things up a bit for my preference. They last for years. I enjoy finding coordinating fabrics (sometimes a little difficult). Will probably be making some up to sell for extra money in the near future.