Take away your aches and pains with a soft flannel rice pack.
Whether you suffer from arthritis, a pinched nerve or an aching back, a heat pack often gives you welcome relief from the pain. While commercial heating pads are good for large body areas, they are often awkward to use on small areas like necks or wrists. Rice bags are a convenient alternative that give all the comfort of a heating pad, with added flexibility. The soft flannel covering feels nicer than the plastic coating on a heating pad and the lack of a cord means that you can use a rice pack anywhere. They're safe to fall asleep with and fine for use with children.
Instructions
1. Cut your flannel square.
Cut a piece of cotton flannel 13 inches square. Fold the square in half with the right sides, or more colorful sides, together and pin the edges to keep them in place.
2. Sew your rectangle, leaving a open at the top.
Sew one short edge, the longer edge and halfway down the second short edge, using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. You now have a rectangle sewn together with a 3-inch space open at the top.
3. Turn the rectangle right side out by pushing the bottom corners up through the hole in the top edge. Push your fingers into the corners to push all the fabric out and to make the corners sharp. You now have a cotton flannel bag.
4. Use a funnel to add rice to the bag.
Place the spout of a kitchen funnel into the bag opening. Pour rice into the bag until it is filled to the halfway point. Don't overfill the bag. Use plain, uncooked rice, and not the precooked variety.
5. Stitch the opening closed.
Remove the funnel and hold the opening in the bag closed. Pin the two edges together to create a neat seam. Stitch this with a needle and matching thread.
Tags: opening closed, 3-inch space, 3-inch space open, cotton flannel, , short edge