My mom made shoulder rice warmers several years ago for the neighbors for Christmas. She put in all kinds of nice smelling herbs in them.
I loved the one she made for our family, I used it all the time. But it got lost!
So I finally decided to make my own. I’ve been wearing it almost non-stop since I made it last night, I’m even wearing it as I type this post.
If my mom saved her pattern I wouldn’t know where to find it, so I made up my own design. I probably should have done a little more planning and a little more math… but I didn’t.
I just winged it.
And it turned out pretty good.
Here’s how I did it!
First I drew out a template on a piece of paper. Once I tried on the piece of paper I knew what adjustments I wanted to make.
As you can see, I made quite a few adjustments.
Don’t you just love that fabric!? I do, I found it in my mom’s sewing room personal fabric store. The pattern is Riley Blake C7030.
After you get it all cut out, put the right sides together, then sew along the areas I have marked in red. Make sure you do a few snips around the curve (just don’t snip the seam), this helps it move and take shape better. I also included my dimensions to give you an idea of how much fabric you might need.
Then turn it right-side out. I did a little ironing at this point.
Next I sewed some chambers. The red lines are the same seams as the red lines in the earlier photo. The green ones are the new seams. Make sure you don’t sew all the way to the open edges, you will need space to turn under the edge and sew it down.
As you can see, the top four chambers are 2 inches and the bottom four chambers are 2 3/4 inches. This is because I didn’t do math before I cut it out. Feel free to make your own adjustments if you would like even chambers.
After your chambers are sewed, its time to fill it with rice.
I mixed approximately 11 cups of rice with 2 cups of lavender and had about 2 cups of lavender/rice mixture left over.
This is what the lavender looks like. I bought it from “The Herb Shop” in Orem, UT for about $7.50. It smells heavenly.
To fill the chambers I used a funnel.
After I filled a chamber, I sewed it shut. If I tried filling them all and closing them all at once, I probably would have spilled rice/lavender everywhere… so I recommend doing them one at a time.
Remember how I didn’t sew all the way to the open edge when sewing my chambers? This is why. After filling the chambers, I folded the raw edges inward and sewed on top of it to close the chamber. If I had sewed to the edge I wouldn’t have been able to fold it in.
After you fill the chambers, you’re done!
I’m so happy I finally have one of these things again!
Notes:
-To warm it up, pop it in the microwave for about 3-4 minutes.
-If you mix herbs in with your rice, store it in a ziplock back to preserve the scent. The ones my mom made several years ago still smell nice! (probably because they’re stored in ziplock bags)
-Only use cotton fabric and cotton thread. These are going in the microwave, you can only use microwavable materials.
-You can design other shapes. I know I plan on making a square one, with chambers, for menstrual cramps or warming up my bed on a cold winter night. I’d also like to make smaller 4″ by 4″ squares to throw in my coat pockets when I go in the backyard to watch my nieces and nephews play in the snow… of course that idea is for another year because this year we seem to be missing our snow!
If you make one of these, I would love to see how yours turned out!
Linked to: The Train to Crazy, Between U and Me , Momnivore’s Delemma , Somewhat Simple, The Shabby Creek Cottage, House of Hepworths, Beyond the Picket Fence , Romantic Home , Miss Mustard Seed, The Shabby Nest , Craft Junkie Too , Family Ever After , Funky Junk Interiors, Tatertots and Jello , Craft Envy , Tip Junkie, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff, Craft-O-Maniac , Sugar Bee Crafts , Ginger Snap Crafts, Someday Crafts, Blue Cricket Design
59 comments
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Andrea B
February 2, 2012 at 5:04 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
What a great project! I have some dried lavender waiting for me to do something with it. This seems ideal. I’m pinning for future reference!
Thanks for sharing.
08049294008525455711
February 2, 2012 at 8:40 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Want to make!!! Thanks for the tutorial!
Aisling Beatha
February 3, 2012 at 2:32 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I’ve made my rice bags with chambers in them to stop the rice falling to one end when over a shoulder but I’ve never thought of making a shaped one like that.
Marilyn
February 3, 2012 at 6:26 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I recently “found” my old tube of millet and want to redo it into this shape. I love it! Thanks for sharing.♥♫
Cindyrella
February 4, 2012 at 9:36 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Great idea! I’m going to try making one. What kind of rice did you use? Thanks, Cindy
Alissa
February 4, 2012 at 10:39 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Cindy,
Awesome, you should blog about it and send me a link.
I used “long grain enriched rice”, but it doesn’t really matter what kind you use.
Kelli Frueh
February 7, 2012 at 12:45 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I need one of these for my migraines and while knitting. Definitely going to make. I read somewhere that you can use buckwheat for filling also. Thanks for the post.
Kristi
February 7, 2012 at 2:55 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Oh I bet this would be so comfy & sweet smelling to have wrapped around you!! How lovely indeed. What a great tutorial, too. Would be delighted for you to link up to Mop It Up Mondays: http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/02/mop-it-up-mondays-party-2.html
{hugs},
kristi
03822166335583091660
February 9, 2012 at 7:56 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I am loving your blog! I am a new follower and looking forward for more of your lovely creations
xoxo
Myric
Corrie
March 9, 2012 at 10:04 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Any ideas for nice smelling things besides lavender?
Tracy
February 24, 2013 at 11:52 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I heard of someone also using cinnamon, just the ground cinnamon and mix it with the rice
Becky G.
March 10, 2012 at 12:21 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I just discovered your blog–your warming bag is really clever and cute! I LOVE the fabric! Can I share a little secret with you? I used to put rice in my warming bags also. I have been making these bags for massage therapists for a few years now and what I use is flax seed. It seems to hold the heat/cold longer and you can still put the herbs in there. I have even used essential oils (a few drops) in with the flax seed and the scent holds really well. The seeds are smaller, so not as bulky as the rice too. You can get flax seed at bulk food stores or health food stores. Hope you are having a great weekend!
Frnces
March 10, 2012 at 8:57 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I am definitely making these for my dad. He had neck surgery and the doctor recommended these to help with stiffness
Victoria
March 11, 2012 at 10:18 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Woot Woot I am excited to make this!!!!! For my friends and family and never to late to start on Christmas gifts
Thanks for the tutorial!
From Beautiful Sunny Medford Oregon
Peggy
March 12, 2012 at 10:26 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Found this on pinterest this morning. I have been making small (8×10) heat packs and had all the supplies on hand so I made the neck wrap from your tutorial.. LOVE IT!! I added a few drops of lavendar oil to the rice and reduced the amount of dried lavendar to compensate. It is gorgeous!! Wish I could attach a pic so you could see! Thanks soo much for the great instructions. I have been wanting to make one like this for a long time!!
krankenkassen vergelich
March 15, 2012 at 7:00 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks
Lee
April 3, 2012 at 4:25 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Wonderful tutorial! You made this super easy to understand yet it’s very thorough, too. Thanks! I absolutely want to make these.
charmagne anthony
April 3, 2012 at 5:40 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
was wondering what type of rice it is?
Alissa
April 3, 2012 at 10:59 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
any rice will work. I used long grain enriched rice.
Scobell Expressions
April 10, 2012 at 4:41 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
This is cool. I need to get a sewing machine so I can make it!
jeanne
July 1, 2012 at 11:17 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I have just finished by heat pad! Took me an hour…worst part was filling up the chambers as I didn’t have a funnel and I spilled more rice than I used for filling…never mind…thanks very much for the tute.
Bobbi
July 11, 2012 at 3:53 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I was just thinking about how to make one of these and I get on pintrest and there it was. I think it looks great and I’m going to make one. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Kelly
September 18, 2012 at 12:57 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
If you do not have a funnel…take a piece of paper from your printer, roll into a cone shape with the size opening your need at the narrow end and tape the thing shut. Then toss it or fold it and use it again later, you can always take the tape off and change the size. I never can find any of my 7 yes 7 funnels when I need one, but they always seem to fall out of the cupbiard when I don’t need them. Desperate crafters use desperate measures, LOL! Will be cranking these out as soon as I can find some dried herbs for them! Thanks for the great pics and instructions.
faith sprouse
September 23, 2012 at 8:19 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I use cherry pits as well !!!
Betty
September 28, 2012 at 7:23 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Great project! I have one of these I bought several years ago. It wraps around the neck. It also has rice and lavender in it and I love it! I have suffered from migraines for as long as I remember and can not stand anything but cold when I have one. I put mine in the freezer. I like the shape of this one, as it goes further down on the chest or back depending which way you put it on. I have needed another for some time now and depending what I am needing it for (achey muscles or a migraine) depends on if it goes in the microwave or in the freezer. Thanks for the idea!
Tarri
September 29, 2012 at 6:03 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
love this i wanted one but would never pay for one thanks I now have a sunday noon project while i watch the race
Lisa
October 22, 2012 at 2:27 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
This is exactly what I have been looking for. I have made both rice and corn bags in the past Only I wanted something to cover more of the back while sitting in a chair and most of the ones I have seen are either the U shaped type or just a straight 4 or 5″ wide x 20″ or so long tube ~ which are fine for the neck but I was looking for something that would also cover the upper back for my Dad and I had been working on my own pattern (in fact it is almost the same as yours!) but I just hadn’t figured out how to fill it with the rice and have the chambers in it. I knew I wanted the chambers but just wasn’t sure how to go about doing that part of it. Thanks so Very Much ~ now I can finally finish making the one I started for my Dad!
Karan
October 30, 2012 at 10:06 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
What a wonderful idea for Christmas to give my daughters. Seems like they are always freezing. Also a couple of Granddaughter I know would love them.
Viv
November 13, 2012 at 2:11 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
This is such a great idea & your tutorial is very clear. I am definitely going to make one of these!
Lise Sofie
November 23, 2012 at 12:44 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I had the exact same thought as you earlier this autumn. My mother made me one years ago, but unfortunatedly one day it became a bit moist before I put it into the microwave and that damaged it. So I did exactly the same thing as you did. No measurements or anything, except that I didn’t have any lavender lying around. But now I thought about making it as a Christmas present for my mother in law, and my grand mother in law. So I think I’ll be adding some sweet smelling herbs in theirs.
P.S Yours looks really nice!
Karin Grace
November 27, 2012 at 9:46 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
This is a wonderful idea what I will make as a Christmas gift for my daughters this year!
I have myself a small one with cherry pits in it. I bought that one in the store though.
Thank you very much for this tutorial!!! An American idea going to the Netherlands!
Sandy Carlson
November 29, 2012 at 3:59 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks so much for posting this! I spent this afternoon making one for my sister for Christmas… and now I’m jealous and will have to make one for myself!
Alissa
November 30, 2012 at 4:45 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Sandy,
They’re nice, aren’t they! I use mine all the time. I’m glad you enjoy it, and I’m sure you sister will love her gift!
Gen
December 2, 2012 at 12:37 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hey, I am making this for my hubby, when you say make a few snips around the curve, what do you mean cut off the excess fabric? Brand new to this, want to make sure I do it right. Thanks so much!
Alissa
December 3, 2012 at 2:56 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Gen, you would not want to cut any fabric off, what you would do is cut towards the seam, but not quite all the way. They’re the same type of snips you would do if you were to fringe something. Just do a few of those snips around the curve so it bends better. I hope that helps!
Tanya McQueen
December 5, 2012 at 4:30 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks for the idea. I have one for the neck with cinnamon in it and I don’t know what else because it was a gift. But I am going to make one like yours but what I am going to different is make little rice bags to put in the chambers. But I am going to make the chambers like a pillow insert would be so I can take them out to wash the cover. I think I am going to try cinnamon and nutmeg. But the little bags could be all different smells so I can change them out.
Alissa
December 6, 2012 at 5:18 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I love that idea, Tanya! It would be a good idea to make it washable, and changeable scents is also great!
Sharon
December 8, 2012 at 9:38 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I made a couple with fleece. Seems to help hold the heat longer. Thanks for the pattern though took guess work out as another one I saw didnt have the lines thru it. Rice/flax was loose
Katie
December 8, 2012 at 6:48 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Alissa! This is such a great idea and I’m going to make these for a lot of my Christmas gifts this year! Did you just put the rice in uncooked? And do you remember how long it took you to make your heating pad? Thanks for sharing this with everyone!
CHEARYL
January 29, 2013 at 5:55 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I HAVE MADE A COUPLE USING CORN, BUT DOESN’T SEEM TO HOLD THE SCENT LONG. DO YOU THINK THE RICE HOLDS THE SMELL LONGER? OR HOW DO YOU KEEP THEM SMELLING GOOD. WHEN YOU MAKE THE BAGS DO YOU MIX YOUR ESSENTIAL OILS WITH THE RICE AND THEN PUT THEM RIGHT IN, THATS WHAT I DID, BUT LIKE I SAID DOESN’T SEEM TO KEEP ITS SCENT LONG, ANY GOOD IDEAS????
Alissa
February 2, 2013 at 8:39 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Chearyl,
I’ve never tried using essential oils, I use acutal herbs to scent my rice and the scent seems to last awhile. I mixed lavendar right in with the rice.
I hope someone who has tried essential oils responds and lets you know how long the oils lasted. I suppose you could always drop more oil on the fabric every once in awhile to refresh the scent.
CHEARYL
February 2, 2013 at 12:07 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thank you for your reply. I have never heard of actual herbs. Where do you buy them and do you use just regular rice? I sure appreciate your getting back to me. Thanks.
Cady
February 22, 2013 at 10:59 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I found things at JoAnn fabrics I used for other projects. They are little paper bags filled with herbs that are meant to be used in closets or basements, etc. but I cut them open and poured the stuff out into fabric projects. I then left the open envelopes in the living room and it smelled really good for long time! They were kind of expensive, but well worth it, I think they were in with all the flowers and candle stuff. Hope that helps and you can find something similar to use!
Mary
February 3, 2013 at 10:47 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks for sharing the pattern. I have already cut it and plan to sew tmrw.
Marlene
February 13, 2013 at 11:18 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I have made these using lavender and rosemary together. I just buy a jar of rosemary in the spice aisle. Never thought of trying cinnamon – will have to trey this. Love the shape that you made!
Nita
March 11, 2013 at 2:42 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I would love your follow-ups.
Lindsey F.
March 20, 2013 at 10:02 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
How do you know it’s cotton..? Stupid question to ask but I’m new to this sewing thing… Don’t really know my fabrics and thread. I got a huge box of fabric and thread from my sewing grandmother and my father could really use it, thanks!:)
Lisa
March 25, 2013 at 11:56 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Here are a could of links with information on how to tell if the fabric that you have is cotton. http://www.ehow.com/how_6144239_tell-fabric-cotton.html http://reviews.ebay.com/Fabric-Guide-how-to-tell-what-is-the-fabric-content?ugid=10000000001271782 http://quilting.about.com/od/fabricembellishment/a/burn_test.htm. When shopping for fabric all you need to do is look at the end of the bolster and it will state the fabric content.
I have also made a flannel cover for the ones that I have made and that flannel cover helps to keep these warmer for much longer as well as protecting the actual shoulder heating pad. This way there are no worries about the heating pad getting dirty either. Just make the same pattern (without the chambers) and about 1/2″ wider on both sides so that it is easy to put it into the flannel cover after heating it up!.
Sarah
April 9, 2013 at 9:32 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I love the shape of this pack. The ones I made in the past were rectangular. I usually put seed corn in my packs,it smells so good when warmed and won’t pop. It’s fairly inexpensive too.
Jennifer
April 16, 2013 at 11:55 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi! Thank you so much for this tutorial, it was really informative and I didn’t have any doubts in any of the steps.
I have made two of these now, needing to make more, as my husband steals mine all the time!
Thanks again!
Jennifer
Chrissie
April 28, 2013 at 7:25 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Alissa,
I looked at your stitching guide. I appreciate the tutorial, I’ve made ‘sock’ bags before, and small hand-held sized warmers but never tried to make one larger as the rice shifts so…seemed so impractical to me…I never gave tunnels a thought. Appreciate your post greatly.
I wonder though, would it be easier to stitch the horse-shoe shape and right side completely, leaving the top of the fabric un-stitched, (or a portion of it un-stitched) turning it right side out, then, filling up from the bottom of each side and stitching as you go rather than trying to leave portions un- stitched here and there and maneuver the rice into various portions? Just wondering… Thanks and blessings.
Susan Cassey
April 28, 2013 at 9:25 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thank you for sharing. I am going to make one and then one for my knee that needs surgery. Maybe this will help relax it a little.
Susan Cassey
April 28, 2013 at 9:28 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I would like to know when you make and post new things also.
Alissa
April 30, 2013 at 2:01 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hello, I hope it feels good on your knee, and good luck with the surgary!
I’ve been slacking off a lot lately on blogging. I just don’t have a lot of time anymore for crafting! Eventually I’d like to quit my job, and then I’ll have more time for crafting and blogging. But until then, things will be pretty sparse.
Cindy R
May 5, 2013 at 1:42 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Thanks for sharing I just finished on in about an hour. I made one change, added a seams down the center of the long tubes to make it easier to fold in half for the microwavel
Thank you again for sharing
Jane
May 9, 2013 at 5:14 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Great tutorial…
just two things to add:
1. You can use polyester thread, it will not melt in the microwave, but don’t use any other fabric than cotton since there is always some moisture inside the heatpad that needs to get out again when heated. Cotton breathes way better than any polyester or whatever fabric (and I guess nobody would use silk for this anyway)
2. You don’t have to devide all chambers completely. It’s way less hassle to fill them if you don’t devide them with full side-to-side seams, but instead leave a 1″ to 1 1/2″ gap to the side seams. That way, you can fill the whole hotpad with only one small seam to close in the end. It requires a bit of fiddling though, but the small seams mean loads of fiddling as well (and they might look less nice in the end)
Thanks for the pattern!
Alison Dent
May 9, 2013 at 6:08 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
great idea! going to try it out
Danielle
May 9, 2013 at 10:00 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi! Great idea–I like the shape. I’d like to make one of these but I don’t have a microwave. How else could I heat it up? Thanks!
Joan Old
May 9, 2013 at 12:55 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I need one of those RIGHT NOW. I have a wheat bag that is just a long tube and the filling falls to the two ends when it is round the neck, so doesn’t reach the parts it needs to, but the channels in this one will keep the filling in place. It will also cover my back and shoulders which is where I need it most. A large bag of economy rice is going to fall into my supermarket trolley tomorrow. thanks for sharing such a great idea.
Frugal Health
April 27, 2013 at 9:16 pm (UTC -6) Link to this comment
[...] nature than you can buy in a store. Click here to read how to create this project yourself: http://www.craftyendeavor.com/2012/0…with-lavender/ I would love for someone to make me one …. Laissez les bon temps rouler! Going to [...]
Shoulder Warming Pad – DIY | Cavern Of Craftiness
May 9, 2013 at 8:18 am (UTC -6) Link to this comment
[...] 1 of these microwaveable hugs in my life!! So next week I’ll be making 1 using this brilliant tutorial from crafty endeavour!! The tutorial looks great and is very simple to follow so pop over, check it [...]