We had a heat pack discussion in the comments a while back and I've tried to find the time to finally make one. Saturday was the day! And not a day too soon according to Wille who loved it and asked why I hadn't made one earlier when it was cold outside… I still think it's cold, inside and out so I'll get plenty of use out of it well into spring and early summer.
Here's the how-to:
Choose any fabric of your fancy. I did a mini patchwork simply because I've never tried that before. The size of the piece needed is 30×60 cm / 12"x24".
Zig-zag outer edges and fold in one of the short ends and add velcro. On one half sew the femle part of the velcro on and on the other half the male.
Fold the fabric lengthwise, right side in and stitch the short end without velco and the long side. Turn right side out.
Sew another similar piece, just 2.5 cm / 1" shorter, in a simple fabric like the white cotton I used. This is where your filling will go. First you fold it lengthwise and stitch the short ends. Turn right side out and then mark out compartments at about 10 cm / 4" with pins and stitch along those.
Fill your compartments using a funnel to 3/4 with anything that will store heat like dry beans or rice. Fold the open edge over and pin each compartment to close after filling it. After all compartments have been filled stitch along the pins.
I didn't have rice or beans at home so I used the tiny alphabet and star pasta that had been in our pantry for way too long. It's so cute but it took up so much space and no one ever wanted to eat it. I love that I found a good use for it.
Almost ready to use, slide the inner heat pack into your cover, close the velcro…
… pop into microwave, close door and run on high for about three minutes and it's ready to use! Aaaahhh!
18 Comments
Vetekuddar är världens bästa uppfinning… Så skönt! Brukar använda vanligt ris i mina. Luktar gott när dom är varma också…
kram Susanne
You are amazing, Benita!!
I laughed out loud when I saw the picture that spells out Heat Pack in pasta-letters. Very funny to see that between all the actual how-to-photos ;-)))))))
I use my heatpack almost every night, at the bottom of the bed to warm my feet. And when it was really cold a few weeks ago, I even used 2, the 2nd one in the middle of the bed, warming the sheets before I get in.
But I definitely prefer your fabric, so cheerful! Much better than the fabric on mine (dark blue with thin red and white stripes). I might make a cover for it…
One word of caution: you don’t want the filling to get too dry, so I always sprinkle some water on the heatpack before popping it into the microwave.
ENJOY!
Thank you so much Benita! I fell like i struck gold, this is a marvelous idea, thank you for the how too also, that really makes it easy for me, i’me starting to use the sewing machine 🙂
Do you think it would also work with some dry lavender inside, or other dry herbs for a nice smell?
Raquel
What a great how to! A heat pack is essential when you live with a trouble stomach that aches a lot. I will now replace my old and leeking one with a new! I think I’ll make a long one that you can attache around the waist… would probably work well for menstrual cramps as well.
Great!
What a great idea! My favorite part is the alphabet pasta, so cute. I think knowing that those cute little letters were warming my neck would make me smile whenever I used it.
This is wonderful! I’ll definately have to give this a shot because my neck is always hurting me lately. It’s so much cuter than the store bought ones too. 🙂
Raquel, I like the idea with the herbs! I think I’ll try and pop some inside the cover next time!
Anne, smart! A belt with ties at the ends!
I knew that it was possible to make these with dry rice, but not pasta! What a great idea! Just one question though, is the velcro not at risk of melting in the microwave?
Love your tutorial, very easy to follow.
Aqeela xx
Oh that is beautiful Benita! I love the patchwork you used. I’ll be linking.
Ohhh, I could have used one of these this weekend!!
I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing Blog: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sew-a…work-heat-packtutorial-sew-a-patchwork-heat-pack/2009/03/16/
if anyone has tips for me…i don’t have a microwave:(
Message for Anne:
Anne, have a look at this:
http://www.dille-kamille.nl/assortiment/baden/000000994e0b2fe06/index.htm
If you scroll down to the green/ochre thing, you might get an idea of the shape of a heat-pack-belt…
Yes! Thats it! Thank you Petra.
(My daughter turns 15 this saturday, her birthday gift is a sewing machine…sweet for mom as well 🙂
Aqeela, the velcro seems ok! If you have a very powerful microwave, you might want to shorten the time to ensure it doesn’t get too hot.
You can heat the pack in a regular oven – dampen a small hand towel & wrap it around your heat pack,then wrap towel& pack in aluminum foil and put in preheated oven(400 degrees) for about 10 min-test for temp- if you need it warmer,replace into oven.Make yourself a cup of tea while your waiting-don’t leave unattended. Good luck
This looks divine … Especially for a Friday!! 🙂
I’ve featured it in a DIY roundup on my site today. Thanks for the great ideas!!