This homemade reusable rice heating pad is an excellent beginner sewing project and makes for a wonderful gift! It’s easy and inexpensive to make and is great at easing aches and pains!
When I was younger, I played a lot of sports and had a lot of injuries. Nothing major, but enough for me to notice the toll they took on my body now that I’m a little older. Add the effects of two pregnancies and I’ve got my fair share of occasional aches and pains! Typically when I’ve got a sore back or neck, I’ll reach for the electric heating pad and while that works great, it just isn’t as flexible and comfortable as my homemade reusable rice heating pad.
That’s why I love giving them as gifts! In fact, last year I made a few and gave them to family members for Christmas, and all the recipients LOVE them! You can heat them or freeze them to relieve pain, but you can also use them as-is! They’re great to put around your neck when you’re sitting and relaxing or to prop your feet up!
If you’re new to sewing and are intimidated, don’t be. These homemade reusable rice heating pads are a great beginner sewing project because all you have to know how to do is sew in a straight line! That’s it! And I’ll let you in on a secret. I taught myself how to sew about a year and a half ago, and am still learning. So if I can do it, so can you!
PIN FOR LATER!
SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED
- 1/2 yard of 100% cotton fabric like this flannel fabric
- 100% cotton or all purpose coordinating thread
- Craft Scissors
- Fabric tape measure
- Iron and ironing board
- Sewing machine
- Funnel (I made my own out of construction paper)
- 7 cups of uncooked rice (I used white rice)
NOTES
- Try getting your fabric at a place like Joann or Michaels because they usually have sales and coupons!
- Use a fabric that is 100% cotton because synthetic materials can melt when they are heated in the microwave.
- Use cotton thread if you can, but if you don’t have that, you can also use an all purpose thread. That’s what I did and it works just fine!
- If you prefer, try adding a few drops of lavender essential oil or even dried lavender for a calming scent.
- DO NOT put your heating pad in the washer or submerge it in water. To clean, spot treat the fabric, but be careful not to get any rice wet because that could create mold, and you don’t want that! Allow the spot to air dry. Do not put the heating pad in the dryer.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
HOW TO MAKE A HOMEMADE REUSABLE RICE HEATING PAD
Wash, dry and iron your cotton fabric prior to making this homemade reusable rice heating pad. I recommend this step because you cannot wash a reusable heating pad once it’s been completed. It’s nice to start with clean fabric since it will be placed on various parts of the body.
Next, cut a piece of fabric that is 19 inches long by 14 inches wide. To do this, I like to fold the fabric over, hot dog style, 7 inches and then cut out the rectangle. See the video above if you want to see how I do this in action. Also, if you’re using a plaid or checked fabric, you can use the lines as a better guide to cut.
Once your fabric is cut to size, turn the fabric so it’s wrong side out, fold in half hot dog style again and press the folded seam.
Take your folded fabric to your sewing machine and sew one short side, the entire long side (the side that is opposite the folded edge) and three quarters of the other short side leaving a 2-3 inch opening. For this project, I used a 1/2″ seam allowance.
Using sharp scissors, cut the extra fabric all the way around leaving about 1/4″. This gives the rice heating pad a nice seam once you turn it right side out.
Through the small opening, turn the bag right side out. Use a blunt object, like the end of your scissors or a crochet hook, to carefully push out the corners so you have a nice rectangle. Once you’ve pushed out all the corners, press the rectangle again.
Using a funnel, or a homemade paper funnel, fill the bag with 7 cups of uncooked rice (I used white rice). You can fill the bag more if you like, but I found that 7 cups was perfect because it allows the heating pad to mold to the area of your body that you’re using it on. Optional: If you want to add lavender essential oil or dried lavender, mix it into the rice in a mixing bowl prior to adding it to your heating pad.
Push all the rice to the end without the opening. Fold the opening under and top stitch the entire side twice. If you don’t know, top stitching is just sewing as close to the edge as you can to make a nice clean stitch to close the opening. And there you have it! A nice pliable, cozy handmade heating pad!
HOW TO USE A HOMEMADE REUSABLE RICE HEATING PAD
- When you’re ready to use your homemade heating pad, place it in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds, then place it on the affected area of the body. Be sure it’s not too hot before you use it though!
- To use as a cold pack, place the pad into the freezer for 30 to 60 minutes, then place it on the affected area of the body.
- Use it to relax comfortably when sitting on the couch or to prop your feet or an arm up!
Homemade Reusable Rice Heating Pad
This homemade reusable rice heating pad is an excellent beginner sewing project and makes for a wonderful gift! It's easy and inexpensive to make and is great at easing aches and pains!
Materials
- 1/2 yard of 100% cotton fabric (flannel works well)
- 100% cotton or all purpose coordinating thread
- 7 cups uncooked white rice (or whatever you prefer)
Tools
- Craft scissors
- Fabric tape measure
- Iron and ironing board
- Sewing machine
- Funnel (I made my own out of construction paper)
Instructions
- Wash, dry and iron your cotton fabric prior to making this homemade reusable rice heating pad. I recommend this step because you cannot wash a reusable heating pad once it's been completed. It's nice to start with clean fabric since it will be placed on various parts of the body.
- Next, cut a piece of fabric that is 19 inches long by 14 inches wide. To do this, I like to fold the fabric over, hot dog style, 7 inches and then cut out the rectangle. See the video below if you want to see how I do this in action. Also, if you're using a plaid or checked fabric, you can use the lines as a better guide to cut.
- Once your fabric is cut to size, turn the fabric so it's wrong side out, fold in half hot dog style again and press the folded seam.
- Take your folded fabric to your sewing machine and sew one short side, the entire long side (the side that is opposite the folded edge) and three quarters of the other short side leaving a 2-3 inch opening. For this project, I used a 1/2" seam allowance.
- Using sharp scissors, cut the extra fabric all the way around leaving about 1/4". This gives the rice heating pad a nice seam once you turn it right side out.
- Through the small opening, turn the bag right side out. Use a blunt object, like the end of your scissors or a crochet hook, to carefully push out the corners so you have a nice rectangle. Once you've pushed out all the corners, press the rectangle again.
- Using a funnel, or a homemade paper funnel, fill the bag with 7 cups of uncooked rice (I used white rice). You can fill the bag more if you like, but I found that 7 cups was perfect because it allows the heating pad to mold to the area of your body that you're using it on. Optional: If you want to add lavender essential oil or dried lavender, mix it into the rice in a mixing bowl prior to adding it to your heating pad.
- Push all the rice to the end without the opening. Fold the opening under and top stitch the entire side twice. If you don't know, top stitching is just sewing as close to the edge as you can to make a nice clean stitch to close the opening. And there you have it! A nice pliable, cozy handmade heating pad!
Notes
CHECK OUT MORE OF MY DIY TUTORIALS!
Are you interested in other DIY tutorials like this one? Check out a couple of my other posts!
- Sturdy Textured Crocheted Washcloth
- Reusable Bread Bags
- Orange Spiced Sugar Scrub
- Homemade Whipped Body Butter
Did you make this homemade reusable rice heating pad? Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own recreation of this heating pad!
What a brilliant idea! And your video tutorial is perfect, it also looks super easy to make. Thanks for this sharing
Thank you so much!
This looks so quick and easy to make! I will have to go grab my sewing machine and try this out! Wonderful tutorial❤️
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it 🙂
This is the cutest gift idea! And, so practical, too (I love practical). Now if only I could learn to use a sewing machine…guess I’ll have to ask my mom for lessons.
Thank you! I taught myself how to sew and am still learning! YouTube is amazing!
I foster kittens and these are a godsend to keep the little babes warm!! Thank you for sharing as I am always needing new ones!
I never thought about that as a possible use. What a great idea, I love that!
How many heating pads does 1/2 a yard make if you need to cut them 19×14? Im just trying to figure out how many pieces of fabric I will actually need to get.
Hi Megan! Sorry for the late response. You should be able to get two heating pads out of a half yard of fabric if I’m doing my math correctly. Hope that helps!