Not wanting my mom to get bored during her visit, and being the sweet daughter that I am, I lined up a few projects for her to work on while she’s here. 🙂
My feet are always cold, so one of the projects I had in mind for her was to sew up a microwaveable lavender heat pack.
I’ve been using an old pillow case filled with rice as a makeshift heat pack, and not only was it ugly, it was getting pretty grungy from being used every night, so I asked her to also make a removable cover that could be washed, and she whipped one up within the first couple days she was here.
She let me photograph the steps, so you could see how she made it.
You can make them any size you want, but the finished size of mine is 12″ x 15, so these instructions are based on that size.
For the inner rice bag:
Cut a pattern out of newspaper measuring 16″ x 25″ and cut a piece of flannel (single thickness) with the pattern. Set aside the pattern to use again for the outer cover.
Fold the long side of the flannel in half with the right sides of the fabric together.
Sew 3 sides of the fabric with a 1/2″ seam allowance, leaving a 2″ opening .
Turn the fabric through the opening, so the right side of the fabric will be on the outside.
I mixed dried lavender with rice to fill the bag. I didn’t measure either of them, I just dumped rice in a bowl and added lavender until I liked the strength of the scent.
Use a funnel to fill the bag with the lavender rice mixture. Stitch the opening closed, either by hand or machine stitching.
For the washable outer cover:
The outer cover’s finished size is 13″ x 16″.
Trim the the newspaper pattern down to 13″ by 17″ in size, and cut 2 pieces of flannel with the pattern.
Put the right sides of the fabric together and starting with the longer side, sew 3 sides of the rectangle together with a 1/2″ seam, leaving one of the shorter sides open.
Turn the fabric right side out.
To finish the open side, make a hem by folding the fabric under 1/2″ , and then fold it again another 1/2″. Press the folded side with an iron, then stitch the hem.
It’s finished! The directions make it sound harder than it is, and my mom commented that she she could have made 3 bags in the time it took to write the tutorial! 🙂 We just wanted to make sure it’s step by step for those who don’t sew often (like myself!).
Just insert the rice bag into the cover and heat, and remove the cover whenever it needs washing.
I love my lavender heat pack and she’s finishing up another one for me, so I can snuggle one and have the other one on my feet too.
ok great idea! I have a ton of lavender (no rice though) and I could really use this!
My heat packs get a ton of use when he weather is cold, and it’s nice to finally have one that smells good! 🙂
Sounds great ! How long would you microwave this for ?
Jo, I usually microwave it for about 2 minutes, but it depends on he strength of your microwave.
Perfect for gifts, especially for me! Do you have a source for lavender? Thanks.
I purchased a large bag on Etsy, knowing I’d want several heat packs and some sachets as well.
This is such a great idea! Your instructions are great as are the photos. Do you have any recommendations on sources for dried lavender?
Justine, I purchased a large bag on Etsy, knowing I’d want several heat packs and some sachets as well.
I love this idea of a scented heat pack. I need one! When the weather gets cold this would be perfect and the smell of lavender, well, enough said! except I want one! So I will be busy today. Thank you for the inspiration
I love the idea of adding lavender in the heat packs. This would be great easy Christmas gifts to make!
Angie- You’re Mom did great and so did you!!! I want to make one right now!!! Thank you for the idea AND the tutorial!
My feet are always cold at night! I want one too. I will have to find lavender & make one soon! My sister is a good sport! And treats her girls well! I always try to say “yes” when mine ask me to help them. Right now I have coat sleeves to hem up for Mary! Ugh!! With fur inside yet! Oh well, they return the favors many times over! Love you & hope your dad is doing good today, tell Carol hello too.
Now, that is a great Mom! This sweet, little heat pack is soooooo pretty and is it ever going to come in handy with the upcoming season which I won’t name in case there are very sensitive eyes around…hehe! The addition of lavender really takes this up a notch…such a great way to encourage sleep and give your bedroom a lovely, comforting scent all in one go!
I dearly hope your Dad is fast on the mend and all is well…keeping him in my thoughts and prayers!
Thanks so much, Susan! My mom IS a wonderful mom! 🙂
And her daughter is a wonderful chip off of the wonderful block! 🙂
How did you know I needed a new foot-warmer? And this one looks like it would be plenty big enough for both my footsies! Thanks, Angie and Angie’ mom.