Want a simple craft project you can finish in less than an hour AND will make you feel better? This DIY rice heating pad can be made in less than an hour with 8 easy steps. Homemade heating pads can be used to soothe back and neck pains, warm your bed on a cold night, or you can put them in the freezer and use cold to reduce swelling and inflammation. Ready to learn how to make your own heating pad with rice? Follow these 8 easy steps!
This post contains affiliate links which means if you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Seeking Joyful Simplicity ~ Michelle
Don’t you feel like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? It’s painful, isn’t it? That’s why I love you using microwavable rice pads to soothe my aching neck, shoulders, and back. I have a whole collection of them. If you go out and buy them, you will find they are ridiculously over-priced. But that’s OK, because they are incredibly easy to make yourself.
Even if you don’t have a lot of sewing skill or time, you can easily make yourself a “Back Buddy” to ease your aches and pains. And, they make cute gifts! Ready to make your own?
How to Make Your Own Heating Pad with Rice
8 Steps – see photos with descriptions below.
- Press your fabric.
- Fold the fabric in half – right sides together (the pretty side should be inside the fold). Then measure 8″ down from the folded edge, and 16″ for the length.
- Cut your 8″ x 16″ rectangle.
- Keeping the right sides together, pin the fabric edges, leaving one short end open (this will be where we fill the bag with rice).
- Sew along the pinned edges. I used the sewing machine, but you can hand sew as well.
- Turn your bag right side out.
- Fill 2/3 full with rice.
- Sew the opening closed.
And you are done!
DIY Rice Heating Pad
Step One – Press your fabric
This part is actually optional. But my fabric was pretty crushed and wrinkled. I used a bed sheet I purchased from a thrift store. It was in great condition, but had no matching bottom sheet or pillow cases. I washed it first, of course!
Step Two – Fold the fabric in half, right sides together to form a rectangle. Measure 8″ from the folded seam, and 16″ along the bottom.
Step Three – Cut your 8″ x 16″ rectangle
I enjoy using a rotary cutter, but scissors can be used too!
Step Four – Keeping the right sides together – Pin two of the fabric edges, leaving one short end open (this is where you will add your rice.)
Step Five – Sew along the pinned edges – If hand sewing, make sure your stitches are close, you don’t want to lose your rice!
Step Six – Turn your bag right side out
Step Seven – Fill your bag 2/3 full with rice
Step Eight – Sew the final side closed
And there you have it – your own DIY Rice Heating Pad. I made one for each of my children – they are a wonderful way to make the winter bed warm and cozy.
Happy sewing!
~ Michelle