Rice Bag heating pads???

**sahm2boys** · 11-15-2009, 11:59 AM

Hi im not sure im in the right section
but i want to make the bean or rice heating pads that you put in the microwave for xmas presents

i wanted to know could/should you wrap the inside of the frabric with stuffing and then add the rice? to make it softer? can you still mircowave it?

another question on the sewing part..i read where you should make it quilt like to hold the rice or beans in one spot...do you make a pocket..fill it then sew it, make another pocket, fill then sew it???

Thanks everyone

**Contrary Housewife** · 11-15-2009, 12:17 PM

Grains of rice are small enough that they will not hurt or be too pokey through the fabric. Quilt batting will insulate the rice, preventing heat from getting out. Most do not bother with it. What you can do is make the bag out of plain fabric, and then make a pretty cover for it. The cover can then be washed if it gets body oil on it.

When I make pockets I leave them all open at one end and then sew across that when it has been filled. The rice will be a little loose, but that is good.

**mauimagic** · 11-15-2009, 01:05 PM

Yup, I agree. Rice is much betterr to use than beans. Until I read about it here, I had never thought about making a rice packet and putting it in another fabric pouch so the outer fabric could be washed.

Made me think - why hadn't I done that? Finally figured it out - we usually use an old sock to put the rice in with a knot at the end. Then when you want to wash the sock - just dump the rice out until you wash the sock, then put it back in!!

Let us know how you do with this project!!

**shoiji** · 11-15-2009, 02:10 PM

Thanks for posting. I need to make some for this winter. Fortunately I enjoy the smell of cooked rice. So does my cat.

**homemaker66** · 11-15-2009, 03:13 PM

What a nice idea for a quick project. Thanks for the updated idea.

**chevy_chick95** · 11-15-2009, 05:29 PM

This is what my mom is getting for Xmas. She has one but it's a million years old. So she gets a new one

**militlady** · 11-16-2009, 12:53 AM

Here are the directions for the bags I make.

1-Cut a piece of fabric 21" X 30" and fold in half so it is
21" x 15" and inside out. Sew along all the edges leaving about a 3 inch gap so you can turn it right side out and sew up gap.

2-fold the sewn edge over about 4" and press. fold over opposite edge about 4" and press. Sew each short edge and about 5 1/2 " from each edge.

3-Cut three pieces of muslin type fabric (6" X 12") fold in half so they are about 6" x 6" and sew 2 sides. turn inside out and put 1 cup of rice in each and sew final edge. Put pouches into cover and you can use them for hot or cold bags. Microwave for about 1 1/2 for hot or keep them in the freezer for cold packs.

Best thing about these is that you can take the pouches out and wash the covers when they get dirty.