Rice Bags

[betheliz.livejournal.com]

So simple, I am almost ashamed to post it. But, if any of you, like me, have back aches or cramps, then these little dohickeys can really help.

I made some rice bags. Basically they're sewn up tubes filled with rice. You microwave them for 30 to 45 seconds and they retain heat really well. They're heating pads that are safe to fall asleep with (unlike the plug in electric type) and you're not tied to a cord or an outlet. I added some essential oil scent to the rice so they smell good when microwaved. I made little slipcovers for them out of flannel. The little pillow case style slipcovers make the bags even more comfy and the cover can be slipped off and stuck in the wash. (You can not wash the rice bag without ending up with a gross mess of partially cooked rice.) I sewed some velcro into the tops of the bags as a closure. Mine are long narrow tubes to go on my lower back and around my neck. They can be made in any shape though.



The one on top, I let the bag peak out so you could see the bare rice bag. It's not as finished (some loose threads I missed), but it is hidden and doesn't matter as much. We'll see how long my perfectionism lets me let that be before I go in and fix it (the loose threads I mean). I put the top swatch of fabric with the stripes going the other way for a bit more fun.

If you google rice bags you'll get a ton of tutorials. It's one of the simplest sewing projects you can ever do. The only thing I really recommend is to sew channels and such to keep the rice from bunching up in one place. I like the bag/slipcover method, because if you sweat with it on you can wash it. One of my friends just takes hand towels, folds them in half, sews some channels and calls it good. Nice soft terry cloth, but can't wash it.


It's not much, but it was a fun, easy, and really useful project. And they make great gifts.

Fun Alternative use for rice bag heating pads: If you life in a cold climate (like say Alaska where I live), and you have a pet who is sensitive or unused to the cold weather (like an indoor cat or a hedgehog), toss a warmed up rice bag in their carrier if you have to take them on a winter-time trip to the vet. Or just give it to them to cuddle on a particularly chilly day so they can stay by their favorite drafty window spot. (Yes my cat is spoiled.)