Sunday, January 8, 2012

Hot/Cold Bags Tutorial...

Do you remember my last post about the
hoodie scarves?...
I told you that Kass and I made something to go with them and I am finally
getting around to showing them to you now:)
We made some handwarmers to go
in the pockets at the end of the scarves!

Here in Utah the winters are long and cold...so handwarmers are a winter staple at our house.
I usually make a bunch this time of year and keep them in a big bowl in my pantry where they are handy and close to the microwave for a quick heat up on a cold day.

The nice thing about these hand warmers is that they work for cold packs too if you put them in the freezer first....
headaches and owies are quickly soothed
by using one or two of these little cuties! 



So here is how I make them.
I like to use 5" x 5" squares...I'm sure you all have a few of those laying around
 so that you can play along... right?
I use 2 different squares of
Sew Cherry for each bag...
one for the front...
and one for the back.
I also like to line them with flannel.
It helps to keep the heat/cold in longer.
I cut two 5" x 5" squares of
flannel for each bag. 

 I placed a piece of flannel on the wrong side of each square...

And I placed 2 squares with
right sides together.


Then I stacked them all up in
a pile for sewing!

I used a 3/8" seam allowance and stitched all the way around the edges... leaving an opening for turning and filling later.
I backstitched where I stopped and 
started sewing. 
I also used my walking foot because there
are 4 layers and it really  
keeps them from shifting. 

Before turning...
I clipped off the corners for less bulk.

I turned and used a crochet hook to get a nice point in the corners.
(my favorite turning tool)

I used a funnel...

and filled each bag with about
3/4 of a cup of rice.


I stitched the opening closed using
 my machine:)

I stitched them up in matching pairs...
one for each pocket!
Each set takes about 30-45 seconds on high
 to heat up in my microwave.






And there you have it...fast,easy and cute little square hot/cold bags...
what else could you ask for? 

Okay...maybe longer and larger hot/cold bags for your feet and neck?

You got it!
I made a few of those too!
I made them the exact same way ...

I used Daisy Cottage fat quarters
for these bags and I cut 2 different
pieces of  fabric 6" x 20"...
again...
one for the front and one for the back.
I also cut two pieces of flannel for
each bag the same size.

I stitched them up and turned them...

Filled them up with about 6 cups of rice
for each bag...

which is about halfway full.
I stitched them closed...and laid them out to show you!



These take about 2 minutes on high because they are quite a bit larger.
I like to put one at the bottom of my bed so that my sheets are nice and toasty for my feet when I climb into bed on a cold winters night!

 They also work nicely for a neck, shoulder or backache after a long quilty day!
And they also work in the freezer too!
After I have been out working in the garden on a hot summer day...it feels heavenly to lay one across my shoulders and neck to cool me down a bit...try it and see if it works for you too!
Until tomorrow...
have a quilty kind of day my friends:)
xx
Lori

89 comments:

  1. Found you on Pinterest. Thanks for this idea.

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  2. Just love it and want to make some!

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  3. What a great (and cute) idea Lori! I need to make a bunch of these for all my Minnesota family and friends.

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  4. Lori - As always...super post! I have a couple of rice bags I use for my neck and love them! I like the bed warmer idea and it certainly gets cold enough for that here in Missouri. ~Kelly

    unDeniably Domestic

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  5. I have a couple of the bought versions that are long and thin. I love them. I never thought of putting them in the freezer. Small cold ones would be great for my four-year-old students.
    Blessings,
    Lorilee

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  6. B E A U T I F U L fabric......love it all!

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  7. What a great idea. Especially to warm our toes on those cold nights. :0)
    I just love your house design fabric.
    So precious. :0)
    Happy Monday to you. Hugs.

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  8. I've been using a long neck rice bag that I made several years ago--love it. I sewed channels into it so all the rice doesn't go to one end. I love the idea of the hand warmers but I don't know if I can use my Sew Cherry charm pack--it's too cute to untie!!
    Karen in Breezy Point

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  9. Love the Daisy Cottage fabric..and again what a great idea...

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  10. what great gift ideas!!! thanks for the great pictures.

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  11. Thanks ~ Could use a neck pad right now. Will have to go home and make me a couple. Stay warm!!!

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  12. Love the tutorial ~ Can wait to make the neck warmers ~ Could use
    one right now. Will have to make some quick. Too cute~

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  13. The handwarmers are so sweet...great idea for the grandkids! Thanks for both tutorials...gotta get me some flannel now.

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  14. Oh thank you Lori for such a cute tutorial. I'm a huge fan of your blog. Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents with us.
    Best Wishes & Happy Quilting
    GrannyB's Cottage

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  15. Forgot to ask..how is the cottage redo coming along?

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  16. Thank you for a great tutorial! This is exactly what we need here in Sweden. We have rather cold days now and this will be perfect!
    Thanks again!

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  17. Smart idea, keeping them by the microwave--I always have to go hunting for mine! (I tuck one in my bed too!)

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  18. Thanks for the info, they look easy to make. I've been meaning to make some for a long time, maybe now that I'm done working on Christmas presents I'll find time to make some.

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  19. great ideas indeed, now i know what to do with that white rice i'm not suppose to eat!

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  20. Okay, maybe it's because I'm from Southern California - but I don't understand the hand warmers - how do you use them??? Do ya just... hold 'em??? For the record, I love the neckwarmer/toewarmer idea and will definitely make use of those! LOL
    - sunshdws at yahoo dot com

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  21. I love this project! Can't wait to dig through my scraps and fat quarters to make these with. Thanks for sharing! :-)

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  22. This is very helpful since I've been trying to make one and I did but it didn't last longer a month! Now I'll try to make one and I'm pretty sure it'll last longer this time!

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  23. Thanks so much! This is a great idea, have to make some.

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  24. Wonderful idea and the fabric is awesome!!

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  25. Fabulous idea, will be making some of these soon.

    Love your blog!!!

    Barrina xx

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  26. Thanks for this tutorial. I have an autoimmune disease called scleroderma, which causes poor circulation in the extremities. I made a few of these several years ago, and they need replacing badly. I use them year-round (A/C is an issue.) So glad to be able to re-post this for all my sclero friends to see. Bless you!

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  27. I love these! I've always put the rice in tube socks and tied them off, but they're not very attractive. I will definitely have to try to make these. Thanks for sharing!

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  28. I love this idea! Where do you get such cute fabrics??? Thanks

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  29. Love your fabric selections! Having someone roll the long ones up and down your back makes for a heavenly backrub, too! I use deer corn in lieu of rice and good quality flannel for the cover.

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  30. My feet are forever cold. Question: How long do they stay warm? Also, how long do they last in general? Do they survive a lot of reheatings?

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  31. What a great blog and what a terrific post. I love the little 5 x 5 squares..... your fabric selection is a delight. I'm also going to try the bigger warmers, they look easy and very pretty! TFS.
    Penny
    http://pennytokensstampinspot.blogspot.com

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  32. Love the idea about making them smaller...since I live in an agricultural are, we have started to use feed corn. It holds the heat much longer and does not get that burnt smell like the rice can do. We make bags last year for our local Relay For Life event to give to our survivors.

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  33. Hi Lori, I love this tutorial, just came across it today and as we are really getting into some cold weather here in Australia, would love to make some. I just have a question - a few years ago I tried to make some handwarmers from a pattern which also used rice - however when I heated it in the microwave, the rice just went really soggy! Do you have any suggestions for this? Just discovered your blog and am loving it. With best regards

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  34. Super cute and much easier than the one I made. I will definitely be making yours this fall :-)

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  35. This is a great tutorial! Thanks do much :)
    How long does the rice last? Does it start to smell after a while from all the re-heating?

    Thanks!
    Mel

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  36. Thank you for the directions and this wonderful idea! I have been looking for a way to make an ice pack for my son with out using chemicals, fillers, gels, etc. Rice will do the trick!!!

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  37. Great tutorial. Just made one. I use the neck warmers all the time but they wear out and are expensive. Never thought to make my own. Now I can save some money. Thank you!

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  38. Great tutorial. Just made one. I use the neck warmers all the time but they wear out and are expensive. Never thought to make my own. Now I can save some money. Thank you!

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  39. Love these... My mom has always made something like this for feminine cramps , also if u use jasmine rice when u heat it up it will hve a nice scent

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  40. These are adorable. Have to get Mom to help me make some (I do not sew unfortunately). Perfect to keep in the freezer for when the kids get small boo boo's. Tired of putting ice in plastic baggie and finding it leaking somewhere!

    Roughly how long do they last when heated. Wondering if I could use these skiing????

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  41. I don't have flannel, could I use something else (maybe fleece?) Any other suggestions? Thank you! I love these!

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  42. I'm going to make both short and long for Thank You gifts for my daughters baby shower! She just lived the idea! Thank you!!!!

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  43. I just made some of the larger ones and used receiving blankets! Trimmed off the stitching and made a square piece of fabric. Then cut to sizes desired. Great way to upcycle old baby blankets!

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  44. What a wonderful idea---well sewn and very professional. Thanks for the great idea, and keep posting! :)

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  45. Wonderful post! I also found you thru pinterest. Used to make neck warmer size ones years ago and love them. I found that making a little pillowcase cover that could be taken off and washed made these last a lot longer due to sweat and skin oils. Also used some herbs in some like lavender for relaxing. The heat disperses the soft fragrance. Work well for stress and headaches too.

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  46. Found this on Pinterest - what a great idea! My mom and I both suffer from migraines and these would be great to use on the forehead or around the back of the neck. Thank you so much for this tutorial - they look fabulous too!!

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  47. My kids get leg pains at night and these are great to heat up and put on their legs in the middle of the night. It is so much safer than an electric blanket. Also love that they are reusable. We've been using ours going on 8 years!

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  48. not sure if anyone has said this but if you put a mug of water in microwave when you warm them up they rice doesn't get the funny smell that can happen.

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  49. I LIKED YOUR TUTORIAL. I USE CHERRY PITS IN MY BAGS. LOVE THE FEEL OF THEM ON MY NECK WHEN I HAVE A HEADACHE. LOVE YOUR COLOR CHOICES.

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  50. I enjoyed your tutorial. I like to use cherry pits in my bags. I like the way they feel on my neck when I have a headache. I liked your choice of fabric and colors.

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  51. Your instructions are great. I use corn in my bags. You get it at the feed store and is very inexpensive. Also holds the heat/cold longer. Does smell like popcorn first few times, so I usually heat it several times before giving it. Also like the weight of corn.

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  52. This is actually what I planned on doing for friends and family for Christmas this year. Although I must say I do like the idea of different fabrics on each side. Plus I never realized you could put them in freezer I only knew about them as hot packs.

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  53. Dumb question.... does it matter what type of rice you use? (I suppose minute rice would be a bad idea ;-) other than that.... just plain cheap white rice?

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  54. Is it ok to embroider them with shiny (polyester) thread. I want to add initials or names (depending on size)?

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  55. This is soo cute....would it be possible to add scents to them like lavender or other aromatherapy scents to them?

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  56. grazie per questo tutorial, sicuramente proverò.
    ciao

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  57. Thank you! It's nice to have clear directions which included the measurements and amount of rice needed. Very pretty little gifts!

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  58. Oh wow! I love these little bags. I need to make some for gifts. Love them! Thanks for sharing this tutorial.

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  59. love the idea..what could you use for filling to make these washable?...or maybe a removable cover

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  60. I love this idea so much that I included it for my readers in my "25 Homemade Gifts of Christmas on my website Tampa Bay Freebies. Thanks for your awesome post!

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  61. you can put lavender (essences, or fresh/ dried herbs) in with the rice, to better help with headaches.

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  62. I saw these on Pinterest. I used fleece for mine, no seams to turn. I made 35 pair for the people where I work. I also made one about 9 inch square for a footwarmer, I used a channel to seperate the bag into two long channels to better distribute the rice. Wonderful on sub-zero nights.

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  63. Thank you for sharing, I too found these on Pintrest and am looking forward to making some. It has been almost a year since I've sewed and I wanted to start up again and this is the perfect thing to inspire me! Thank you! Michelle

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  64. Thank u for sharing, what a great idea!

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  65. Great idea, made some of the small bags and large ones, also added lavender oil to the rice and let it soak for a day it smells wonderful and is very relaxing.

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  66. Love the instructions! I made these for my Montessori Toddler Classroom for the sensorial shelf. The students love using these for hot and cold matching! Thank you!

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  67. I make these & they are great to use for headaches. Didn't think about freezing them for a cold pack, Great Idea!!

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  68. Can you use felt instead of flannel as a liner?

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  69. Im Portuguese and I loved your tutorial about hot/cold bags. I didn´t know how to heat and for how long. Thank you so much it is very well explained!!!

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  70. Great tutorial, just finished cutting out my squares and had a few pieces about 15" X 4" left over. Going to make hang warmers to slip into hoodie pouches.

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  71. My new grand baby, Olivia, is 4 weeks old. She does not want to sleep in her crib. She sleeps against her mama's warm body in the glider/rocker, but as soon as she lays her in her crib, she wakes up within minutes. My daughter, and I think she wakes up because the bed is cold. Your rice warmers just may be the answer. I have plenty of flannel, and can't wait to make one! Maybe pre-warming her crib will help her make the transition. I will let you know if it works! Thanks for a great idea!

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  72. Just found this on Pinterest. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog. The colors, your pictures and directions. Keep up the great work!

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  73. Love these! I make them with seperate bag for rice and cover so cover can be washed. I make a flip pillowcase so bag will stay in. Usually use paw or footprint material for feet r bottom of bed bags. Also good for headaches. I sometimes slather lotion on my hands put gloves and hold heated rice bag. Wonderful for dry hands!

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  74. I have a "monster" made of cotton jersey and stuffed with flax seed and lavender that my husband bought me for Christmas! It is adorable, warms up nicely in the microwave, and smells good, too (just another idea for the stuffing).

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  75. I LOVE this idea, but I wasn't sure how to make the little pockets. I've considered taking them to work and then re-warming them during breaks. I think a light lemon scent would be good for work, or for a night-night scent, use lavender or mint. You are an angel!

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  76. These are great! I love rice bags!

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  77. Found you on Pinterest, great idea I love rice bags

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  78. These are great. I live in West Africa so I'll only be using them to cool down!! No shortage of beautiful fabrics here so I'll be able to make some very soon.

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  79. Thank you so much for these!! There goes my worries about gifts for mum, dad, grandma, aunt, etc...

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  80. I am visiting from Donna of Brynwood Needleworks and very much like what I see on your blog. Thank you sew very much for this wonderful Rice Warmers tutorial. Sharing Joy and Peace...

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  81. I was searching something like that on Pinterest and found your tutorial: THANK YOU!

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  82. Your warmers and heat pads are so pretty! Thanks for the hard work on your tutorial. I shared your link on my blog post today.

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  83. This works in Norway too!

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  84. Oh my, oh my! These are just lovely!!! Guess I just have to make me some like these :)
    My cold Norwegian feet are gonna love it...!

    I´ve never seen this idea for hand warmers and it is absolutely brilliant!

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  85. My 8 yr old granddaughter got a little sewing machine for Christmas,, this would be the perfect fist project for her! thanks for sharing!!!

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  86. Beautiful project! Can I know what's the selection of your fabric called for the 5" one ? Thanks

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  87. I've done a warming pack for my son who gets severe leg pains. I used pinto beans. They work great as well. These are so cute. Love the fabric!

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  88. Love your choice of patterns. I recently got into making these rice packs. Do you know if when putting in the freezer, if you should put into a baggie or do you think it matters? Thank you again for your tutorial.

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