Homemade Heating Pads
A stylish, aromatic heating pad can do wonders for the body and soul. If you can sew a straight line, or even if your "straight" lines end up a bit crooked, this project will be a cinch!
When choosing fabric, get something sturdy that will last. I like to use denim for one side and a nice print or good quality flannel for the other. It is important that you pre-wash the fabric you will use to remove any sizing agents that may have been used in manufacturing. You will not be able to wash it after the heating pad is made.
Thread your machine. Place your fabric right sides together and using 1/2" (1cm) seam allowance, sew three sides of the rectangle together leaving one of the short ends open. (Fig. A) Clip the corners (Fig. B) and turn the bag right side out. Press the seams nicely.
With your temporary fabric marker (I prefer to use the wax), mark lines 3 1/2 " (9cm) from the long edges extending to within 3" (7 1/2 cm) of the sewn short end and 3 1/2 " (9cm) of the open short end. (Fig. C) Stitch along those lines being sure to backstitch at each end.
Break up the cinnamon sticks into smaller pieces. Use a funnel to fill the bag 2/3 of the way full with flax seed, layering in cinnamon and cloves occasionally. You will have to insert the funnel into each stitched row separately.
Turn the raw edges in 1/2" (1cm) and topstitch close to the folded edge, stitching it closed in the process. (Fig. D) (If you prefer, you can whipstitch the opening by hand instead--just be sure to use small stitches.)
Now your heating pad is ready to be used! Lay it in a microwave oven with a slightly damp paper towel or rag* and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. Remove the bag from the microwave oven and hold it first by one short end and then by the other to let the seeds reposition and spread out. Lay it across your neck, shoulders, arm, knee, etc. and enjoy the warmth and the relaxing scent. Your heating pad should hold the heat for approximately one hour.
These heating pads make great gifts. Try using different scents such as dried lavender, dried orange rind, dried mint, or dried rose petals.
*The microwave removes moisture each time you heat the pad so it's important that you always use a damp cloth while heating it so that it can draw moisture from the cloth instead of your heating pad, which would cause the seeds to burn over time.