NEED:
- Cotton Fabric (any pattern you’d like).
- Sewing Machine Or Sewing Needle (for those who prefer hand sewing, like me).
- Sewing Thread (that matches your fabric).
- Rice or Beans (enough to fill your ideal bag).
MAKE:
1. Cut the fabric to your desired length and width, add about 1-2 inches for sewing space.
2. Fold your cut-fabric in half, depending on your length and width it’ll make a square or a rectangle. If you feel fancy and gifted in sewing, go ahead and make any shape you want like a star, circle or whatever makes you happy!
3. When you fold your fabric in half, make sure you have the hidden (inside) part facing out towards you. (INSIDE-OUT so you can sew it).
4. Now you should have ONE side you don’t have to sew, THREE sides you will. Begin sewing your left and right side. On the THIRD side, (top) sew it up to a little past half-way (Leaving you an opening to add your rice or beans). Switch your fabric inside out again. This time you want the Finished-Look facing out towards you.
5. Fill your pack with rice or beans, I like to mix it-up sometimes, since rice is my main food source, (guilty, I try to reserve the rice for me to eat). The ratio is your choice. If you’re not keen on the smell of baked beans, I would add more rice than beans. For smaller packs, I usually stick to just RICE, because I prefer the smell more when it’s heated. Leave about 1-2 inches of space when you fill it.
6. Finish sewing the other half after you have filled it up. DONE!
USE:
1. Place on a flat dish, (optional, easier to get out of the microwave when it’s too hot…that way I can grab it with an oven mitt or something).
2. Heat 1 minute. Check temperature and flip.
3. If NOT hot enough, add 15-30 seconds in increment (depending on your microwave). Do not exceed 2 minutes total, for each re-heat (uses).
4. FLIP with each time you add on to ensure thorough heating. Remove from microwave once desired temperature is reached.
5. Wrap it in a protective layer to avoid burning yourself, like a towel or a thicker cloth, and ENJOY!
Bonus Tip: If you are prone to bumps and bruises, you can also throw your hot pack in the freezer and use it as a cold pack!
*I always make a test-run with the pack to make sure there’s no flaw. For instance, CATCHING ON FIRE or BURNING! (I learned the hard way when choosing fabric my first few attempts at making this. Good thing I was watching it)! —Â So for my peace of mind, I always watch my heat pack in the microwave, especially my first go-around with each new pack.
