Heating Pad

Who doesn't need the comfort of a heating pad from time to time?

Supplies you will need:

• Cotton fabric
• 2 pieces of fabric 10.5 inches wide by 18.5 inches long; or
• 1 piece of fabric 20.5 inches wide by 18.5 inches long; or
• 1 piece of fabric 10.5 inches wide by 36.5 inches long
• Thread
• Sewing machine or sewing needle 
• Medium grain rice

The fabrication of the heating pad is similar to that of a weighted blanket. You could make this pad and use it for the comfort of the weight and not heat it. In weighted blankets they use poly pellets instead of rice. 

I wouldn't use anything other that natural fiber fabric like cotton or wool because some man-made fabrics may melt in the microwave or may contain metallic threads.

I used one piece of fabric measuring 10.5 inches wide by 36.5 inches long. Whatever fabric combination you use the steps are the same. 

The following instructions will be for 2 pieces of fabric measuring 10.5 inches by 18.5 inches.

1. Place the fabric right sides together. 
2. Sew along the long sides and across one short side. Leave the other short side open. 

   

   My fabric was 10.5 by 36.5. I folded it in half and sewed the two long edges. 

   The right side is a fold and the left side is the opening.

3. Turn the fabric right side out and press.
4. Sew a line up the middle, from the bottom to the opening.
   
5. Make a mark at every 3.5 inches along each of the long sides, starting from the closed end.
   
6. Pour 1/2 cup of rice in each column
   
7. Making sure the rice is placed to the one side, sew on the 3.5 inch mark. You will want to take your time, feeling for any stray rice. Sewing over a grain of rice will likely brake a needle. I did not use any special sewing foot but you could if that makes you feel more comfortable.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until you have filled 5 rows.
   
   
   
   
9. There are various ways to finish the heating pad but the easiest one that I found was to fold the top over 1/4 inch and then fold it again another 1/4 inch and top stitch along both edges of the fold, securing everything in place. 
   

The pad can be heated in the microwave for 3 minutes. Please place a towel between you and the heating pad as it can get quite warm. The heating pad is not recommended for kids and infants.

The heating pad is not washable. When you remove it from the microwave - you could place it in a pillow case to keep it from getting dirty.

You can place the pad in the freezer for a few hours if you need an ice pack.

The pad can also be enjoyed simply for its weight.

I have used these for over 10 years as heating pads and I love them. A friend of mine has found comfort in them for the weight.