Therapeutic Rice Pillows
What you need:
Dried herbs or spices... Cinnamon, lavender, whole cloves,
Fabric 13 by 17 inch rectangle
1 1/2 lbs Rice any kind except converted
Flax seed or buckwheat hulls can also be used....
Cut fabric into a 13 inch by 17 inch rectangle.
Fold it in half lengthwise (so it measures 6 1/2 x 17 now)right side inward.
Stitch it closed leaving about two inches open at one end, sewing 1/2 inch from cut edge. You can do this by hand if you don't have a sewing machine but be sure to use a sturdy thread and make stitches small and close together. I also like to stitch around twice to ensure sturdiness. (what a mess it would be if a thread breaks as it is being tossed like a bean bag).
Turn the 'pillow case' right side out through the opening.
Now you can fill it with rice and scent. Fill the pillowcase no more than 2/3 full. pillowcase with the rice. Fold the opening inward and stitch close by machine (or by hand). Again I stitch twice. Now it's ready to be used. You can use as is or you can heat it in the microwave for 1 minute. When I give it as a gift I enclose a little note about microwaving.
You can make these as large or small as you like, make different shapes for different needs...For larger pillows, quilt thru the pillows to make tiny pillows, this will keep the contents more evenly distributed...Use a strap with Velcro or those buckles and straps from an old book bag or worn out baby carrier to make a backache pillow, they can strap it around their backs for walk around comfort...
Caution: some websites suggest this is a good baby gift.... I would not !!! The rice can easily clog a baby's throat and choke them.... The bag is also a hazard..