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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: esrun3
Date: 10-28-2005, 11:21 AM (1 of 41)
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I know there are patterns out there somewhere (I haven't had time to look yet) for the warps that are filled with rice or something that you can put in the microwave and heat up. I'm wondering if anyone has made one large enough to go around a knee and then maybe used velcro or something to hook it together? Would this even work? Afraid of putting velcro in the microwave but could do an inside "pillow" that then fits in the cover to go around the knee. What does anyone think? Any hints? Thanks! Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-28-2005, 11:27 AM (2 of 41)
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That sounds like a good idea. I wouldn't try to make it too thick though. It wouldn't be something you would walk around with, right? But when you sit with your feet up -- how nice. I think I'll make me one. It should be simple enough that you don't need a pattern. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: esrun3
Date: 10-28-2005, 11:29 AM (3 of 41)
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Yes, I'm thinking for when you sit and put yoru feet up. My sister has a bad knee that often bothers her and the colder it gets the worse her knee will get and I thought this might work for her at work while she props her leg up but wanted to secure it around her knee so it wouldn't be falling off all the time.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-28-2005, 11:32 AM (4 of 41)
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Sounds like a great gift to me. I might do one for my husband's ankle. He could probably even use it when his feet are down if it is secured around it with Velcro. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: pretnichols
Date: 10-28-2005, 12:22 PM (5 of 41)
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I've gotten one as a gift. It is filled with "cherry" pits. I have no idea where my girlfriend found them, but I'll ask her and post her reply. I love mine for when I've got a sinus headache or a neck ache.
Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 10-28-2005, 12:29 PM (6 of 41)
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I would think you would need to make channels or all the rice, cherry pits, flax etc. would just slide to the sides or back. Why not use buttonholes and buttons made from fabric to fasten it? Then you wouldn't have to worry about velcro in the microwave.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: pretnichols
Date: 10-28-2005, 12:36 PM (7 of 41)
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My girlfriend said she and her mother both use white rice for these. However I did find a source for the cherry pits: www.cherrypitstore.com . Hmmm, I have lots of flannel & fleece that I could use to make these as gifts! Thanks for the wonderful idea! Good luck on making yours. Peggy 
Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: Hogmami
Date: 10-28-2005, 01:04 PM (8 of 41)
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I went to your link for the Cherry Pit Store. Found that interesting. Its only about 20 miles from me. I have a friend that lives there. I will have to get her to pick me up a couple of bags and bring them to me next time we have lunch.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
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From: pretnichols
Date: 10-28-2005, 01:37 PM (9 of 41)
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Hogmami, my girlfiend spends her summers in Michigan, so she may have used this store as a source, or some local Michigan shop for her cherry pit source. However, we both live in Illinois, so she may have switched to rice when she couldn't get the pits locally. Let me know what you find out about the store from your friend. They are larger and you wouldn't need as much of them as you would rice. Not that white rice is expensive if you purchase it in bulk. Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: esrun3
Date: 10-28-2005, 06:26 PM (10 of 41)
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Wow, thanks for all the answers ladies! I have one for my neck my daughter bought me one year-the heat pack comes out and then is stuffed back into a very long dog to wrap around your neck. I think I heated mine for about 2 minutes also. Never did really know what was in them. Guess I should get busy and play around with this. Thanks again everyone!
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 10-28-2005, 07:47 PM (11 of 41)
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You could sew in a couple of cotton twill binding strips to tie in order to hold it in place. Buttons will heat or melt, depending what kind. You could also use buckwheat. Many I've seen in stores ($$) do. I'm not sure why you'd go to the natural foods store and pay all that money instead of rice, though. Maybe it holds the heat better.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: allie-oops
Date: 10-28-2005, 09:46 PM (12 of 41)
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I'm thinking you could do a plain square, then make velcro strips that attach on the sides so the bag is only on the front of the knee, with the straps going behind it to attach...that way you wouldn't have to worry about all that bulk behind the knee. Kind of like a knee pad. Might have to try this - my aunt needs a new knee and it might help her! Allie "onward through the fog"
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User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002 Total posts: 282 
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From: 1*sewer
Date: 10-28-2005, 10:51 PM (13 of 41)
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This is pretty interesting! I would like to make one for my granny who has bad knees. But, I don't understand how it doesn't burn you, I mean is the cotton very thick or isn't fleece flamable? I am new to sewing and the difference between various fabrics, so please excuse me. Also, I get migraines and my aunt gets them very badly, does this provide relief from those or just sinus headaches or is there a difference? After heating for 2 minutes can you put this directly on your face? Sorry for all of the questions and for just jumping in here, but, I really like this idea and would like to know more before I try it out. Thanks!!!! 
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User: 1*sewer
Member since: 09-09-2005 Total posts: 27 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 10-29-2005, 12:35 AM (14 of 41)
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for migraines try it across the back of the neck. i don't know why but it works for me. I have used different sizes of wash cloths & towels to make them at first but I found that cheap wash cloths don't last. Recently I have made them out of sweatshirt fleece,t shirt knit & flannel. I might experiment with a way to hold them in place it sounds like a good idea to me. Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: Sancin
Date: 10-29-2005, 01:12 AM (15 of 41)
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First thing you need to check is if heat or cold is recommended. Heat is comforting, especially psychologically, but if the area is swollen, cold is called for and it really can be comforting. Whatever temp, the device should be put into another bag so skin doesn't get too cold or hot. Then it doesn't matter what fabric one uses, though not too thick. I often just wrap a pack in a tea towel. I have heat/cold pads made out of everything on the market and mentioned here.  The beauty of the cherry pits is that they are light and I love them for a sinus or migraine headache where weight increases my pain. Some people like extra weight and use salt. I use heat if I feel the headache is a tension headache starting at the back of the neck. Depending on how painful the user's knee is, rice may be too heavy on the knee. Physio's usually recommend a pack of frozen peas! Pick up a 1 kilo bag sometime and test the weight. Flax sounds good but is slippery so would have to be stabalized some way not to hang over the knee - eg. compartments. I like a flax pillow in the summer as it seems cooler than other pillows. I have a very sore back which needs to be iced from time to time (cold may be better for some injuries, like knees!). I made a bag open on one side with a velcro closure and long straps coming from the top and bottom corners. I place a rather large gel pack (available at any pharmacy) which I keep stored in the freezer in the bag, velcro it shut and then put straps under my arms and over my shoulders and tie in the front. This way I can walk around the house. For a knee I would make a square one as Andrea Sews suggests. One can buy strips of velcro that are are one piece and stick if wrapped on it's self. If used it would not need to even go into the microwave. If you choose to use gel packs they often come in squares that you can cut apart to the size you want. Warning - the gel stinks - and bag may rupture if too much pressure put on - like lying on it - ask me how I know  . I find the gel holds both heat and cold longer than the cherry pits or rice, but all hold the hot or cold temp long enough to give comfort. I'd love to hear of other materials and heat or cold products and uses.  There is a lady in Edmonton who makes cherry pit packs and I notice that some medical supply places here in PG are now selling them. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 10-29-2005, 03:49 AM (16 of 41)
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I made mine out of 2 layers of flannel and filled them with dried beans. Kept one in the freezer and one ready for the microwave. With the double layers of flannel it didn't burn at all. The beans worked fine, though they do smell a bit when heated, I didn't mind it, but DH hated it (this is from a man who thinks skunks smell good). I didn't have any fasteners on them, they were just long enough to wrap around.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: pelo2000
Date: 10-29-2005, 09:26 AM (17 of 41)
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I have heat/cold pads made out of everything on the market and mentioned here. The beauty of the cherry pits is that they are light and I love them for a sinus or migraine headache where weight increases my pain. There is a lady in Edmonton who makes cherry pit packs and I notice that some medical supply places here in PG are now selling them. Would you know where I can get cherry pits in Canada? I live close to Halifax. thanks 
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User: pelo2000
Member since: 03-02-2005 Total posts: 1 |
From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 10-29-2005, 09:59 AM (18 of 41)
| I have made these out of rice and out of wheat. I originally made the bag out of fannel but I do think that it likely would have been better to make it from ticking with a fannel cover over top. what I did was make a rectangular bag , finished the top seam, (so when it's full just sew across the top),and then marked squares on it and sewed down the center of the bag,then filled the 2 bottom squares about half full of rice or wheat and really pin heavy across top of the filling and then sew across the top of the square on the line you made, take the pins out, fill the next squares and so on. You could make these bags what ever shape you wanted. If you are really concerned about velcro in the microwave just add ties to your bag when your making it. Mine doesn't have any, but if I had thought of it, it would have. Just as a matter of interest I put my bags in the microwave for 4.50 min. |
User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003 Total posts: 242 |
From: Sancin
Date: 10-30-2005, 05:30 AM (19 of 41)
Pelo - sorry I don't know where to get cherry pits in Canada. I googled and didn't find anything. The PitPat maker in Edmonton told me, many years ago, and as I recall, she contacted a commercial industry that uses cherries for something. She did tell me that the pits she uses are not the regular eating cherries as they would be too expensive. I can't imagine what else cherries are used for other than for eating. One google site indicated a lot of people are looking for cherry pits. If anyone knows please let us know.  The lady is from Denmark originally, a midwife and said she used them for women who where in labor. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: toadusew
Date: 10-30-2005, 08:27 AM (20 of 41)
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I've made rice bags in the past and everybody really loved them. I use them all the time on sore muscles. Mine are small squares; I made the main bag out of 100% cotton (I think I used muslin) and then made a cover of cotton or cotton poly. The cover has an envelope type back. To heat, I heat the main bag with rice in it and then put the cover on it after heated. I heat mine between 2 and 3 minutes and it is hot at first so I usually wrap it in a light weight towel and then after it has cooled a bit, put it directly on my sore muscles. When I first made the rice bags, I just poured the rice in it and let slide around, but my mom had a good idea and hand sewed channels in her rice bag, which makes it a bit heavier and also keeps the rice in place. I've seen directions for both ways. |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: siwian
Date: 10-30-2005, 09:34 AM (21 of 41)
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I made small (palm size) ones in sets one year for my coworkers. They are great hand warmers when you have outside duty with 4 year olds. I made larger rectangles for knees and laps. The rice does get heavy when put in large shapes. I have used them for bed/foot warmers. I have used cotton, flannel and fleece to make the packs. The flannel and fleece have a damp feeling when the rice is heated. I think next time I will make the pack from muslin or cotton and an outer case from the flannel or fleece. The pack will slid in the case like a pillow. |
User: siwian
Member since: 12-27-2001 Total posts: 114 
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From: Hogmami
Date: 10-30-2005, 11:02 AM (22 of 41)
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I think the cherry pits you can buy are treated some how. My son works in the cherry industry and I believe that is what he told me. I know they sell their pits to some company that makes bags.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800
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From: Magot
Date: 10-30-2005, 11:20 AM (23 of 41)
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I make long sausages that can sit around the back of the neck to ease the aches - these are stuffed with rice and a handful of dried lavender. You can either keep them for microwaving (I tend to blast for 1 min, redistribute the rice and then blast again 30 sec at a time to the reqired temp) I like the fact that the rice is loose as it means it can easily conform to the part of the body upon which I place it. hey Sancin - a pack 1 kilo peas weighs a kilo!  I wouldn'thave thought a kilo weight of peas on a sore joint was such a good move- I tend to use no more than 500g tops. We use small gel packs at school and it is amazing how well ice works with twists and sprains.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: Karebear
Date: 10-30-2005, 12:05 PM (24 of 41)
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I am most impressed!!! I have just purchased a "relief pain bag" that has lavender oil soaked into the muslin!!! I really do not want to let anyone know just how much I paid for it The reason for the implusive purchase was the aroma!!! I have a "pea" bag for relief but heck that did not give the "ease" to my senses!! But I am thinking if I were to use these pits... shed a few lavender seeds though out and voila.... Thanks.. I love this place it is has a wonderful network!!! Karen Karen
http://www.dancingwicks.com "If you want to build a ship, don't herd people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." --Antoine de Saint-Exupery |
User: Karebear
Member since: 01-24-2002 Total posts: 338 
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From: DragonLady
Date: 10-30-2005, 12:40 PM (25 of 41)
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Rice bags are good for menstrual cramps too. My daughter gets them real bad every month, so I made her a teddy bear shaped bag that she can wrap in a towel. She says it really helps.
"No more twist! No more twist!"
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User: DragonLady
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 152 
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From: Magot
Date: 10-30-2005, 01:43 PM (26 of 41)
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works for gut rot and constiption too!
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 10-30-2005, 06:30 PM (27 of 41)
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I always make cases out of old sheets (the good parts) to hold my rice bags, then I make covers for them that can be laundered.. That way , they stay nice a lot longer.. I also make hot pads for the table this way.. I add potpurri to the rice and when you put a warm bowl or pot or pan on one of these, the aroma is wonderful.. Of course, you can add the liquid aroma to the rice if you prefer..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: vickki
Date: 10-30-2005, 08:04 PM (28 of 41)
| My daughter was in a car accident some years ago and she was hurt badly by the seat belt,would the hot rice bags be good for this pain???Wow what knowledgable information....Can't wait to make some...Thanks Vickki |
User: vickki
Member since: 08-21-2005 Total posts: 374 |
From: misstwoshoes
Date: 10-30-2005, 09:30 PM (29 of 41)
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I use buckwheat hulls. Someone mentioned that they thought they were very expensive...but 10#'s of hulls will fill a lot more bags than 10#'s of rice and they are not nearly so heavy. And I think they hold the heat about the same. Either one makes great gifts. I use dried lavender and dried rosebuds. This year I bought some essential oils in other fragrances and will see how they work out but lavender is my favorite so far. Artie Ann |
User: misstwoshoes
Member since: 10-02-2005 Total posts: 17 |
From: Sancin
Date: 10-30-2005, 10:59 PM (30 of 41)
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hey Sancin - a pack 1 kilo peas weighs a kilo! I wouldn'thave thought a kilo weight of peas on a sore joint was such a good move- I tend to use no more than 500g tops. Golly - who would have thought of that!?  You are probably right about the 500 g as well - I was imaging size and not weight. I think that when putting hot or cold on the knee one would not want to have the pack to go all around the leg. There are blood vessels behind the knee that you may not want to change temp. Most injuries and pain is in the knee cap area.
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: mommgsews
Date: 10-31-2005, 02:32 PM (31 of 41)
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I make mine out of cotton flannel and fill them with unpopped popcorn. Yes, popcorn. It never gets hot enough to pop the corn and they hold the heat really well. Sometimes I will add chamomile flowers and or lavendar buds to the mix for fragrance. I also make the bags and fill them with flax seed and herbs to keep in the freezer for sleeplessness and or headaches. I do highly recommend making channels in any bag that is larger than a few inches. It helps distribute the warmth to more places. |
User: mommgsews
Member since: 03-15-2004 Total posts: 73
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From: natred2
Date: 11-03-2005, 01:23 AM (32 of 41)
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I have a long rectangle one and love it, mine was a gift, not home sewn, but it is a linen tube filled with rice and it used to have some herbal scent which has faded now. It has a terry cloth outer bag with a velcro closure (removable bag for washing) and canvas handles on either end. I was thinking about opening the inner bag to add some herbal scents back in to it, but I am undecided on how to scent it. Don't be so open minded your brains fall out.
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User: natred2
Member since: 04-09-2005 Total posts: 81 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 11-04-2005, 06:08 AM (33 of 41)
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lavender and eucalyptus are the nicest scents for a relaxing heat bag! (IMO)
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: AnitaE
Date: 12-04-2005, 05:51 PM (34 of 41)
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The magazine Sew News has a project sheet called Cool Down, this item can be used for cooling or heating either one, these neck wraps are known as cool ties or Hugs and sent to our troops in Iraq. Check it out at <email address removed for privacy> A great program! |
User: AnitaE
Member since: 12-04-2005 Total posts: 1 |
From: Raevenflyte
Date: 01-22-2006, 02:28 AM (35 of 41)
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I thought I'd posted about this but possibly not. Here's a great page (http://www.diamondthreadworks.com/microwave_heating_bags.htm) about corn bags and all the various ins and outs of other materials. I tried this version and it works great! The corn also stays warm for a very long time. HTH, R |
User: Raevenflyte
Member since: 03-16-2005 Total posts: 32 
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From: Karebear
Date: 01-22-2006, 08:43 AM (36 of 41)
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Thank you for that wonderful information.. Very interesting and very helpful. Karen Karen
http://www.dancingwicks.com "If you want to build a ship, don't herd people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." --Antoine de Saint-Exupery |
User: Karebear
Member since: 01-24-2002 Total posts: 338
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From: bren
Date: 01-22-2006, 05:24 PM (37 of 41)
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Here is a site Mother In Law (Susie ) sent me for a heat pack or cold pack. http://www.allfreecrafts.com/sewing/ricehotpack.shtml Bren:
Don't let anyone ...Live Rent Free In Your Head |
User: bren
Member since: 11-30-2002 Total posts: 489 
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From: MotherInLaw
Date: 01-23-2006, 12:06 AM (38 of 41)
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Thanks bren I couldn't find it in my collection of patterns. I used flannel on mine and on both end I took and made some handles, (strips of flannel made like tubes about 8 inches long) and sewed them in the ends for handles. These are fast to sew up and make great relaxing packs. You can put in a few cinnamon sticks with the rice because the rice tend to smell like raw rice after it heats up the first time. Dont' cook the rice leave it raw when you put it in the bags. One cup of rice for each compartment works out just right. It' heavy enough to stay around your neck and light enough it's not so it's too heavy on your sore spots. Thanks Bren.
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118 
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From: Karebear
Date: 01-26-2006, 01:26 PM (39 of 41)
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are Wonderful.. thanks for sharing!!! Karen' Karen
http://www.dancingwicks.com "If you want to build a ship, don't herd people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." --Antoine de Saint-Exupery |
User: Karebear
Member since: 01-24-2002 Total posts: 338
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From: sewingcybermom
Date: 01-26-2006, 11:21 PM (40 of 41)
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HI everyone! I am a designer and manufacturere of elite figure skating and dance costumes, but also teach teen sewing lessons. This was one of our many projects. They work awesome, although the kids complain that the hot rice smells funky. I'm going to try the pits. I'm sure they will smell better! Check out some of my stuff below!  http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/<email address removed for privacy>/album?.dir=1172&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos See some of my work here:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ce%20costumes/ |
User: sewingcybermom
Member since: 01-18-2006 Total posts: 58 
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From: sewbusy
Date: 02-06-2006, 12:17 AM (41 of 41)
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Hello I made the microwave heating pads out of rice and some out of crack corn. I also added alittle cinnamon powder to both. They never seem to loose their smell each time their heated. I use my heating pads often! back,neck knees,ankle where ever the arthritis decides to attack! Need to make some small ones for the hands!! Sewing attacks this area often. You know I get swelling in these areas and the heat still makes it feel better,though I also like the cold ice packs! All my best to you everyone, Cathy |
User: sewbusy
Member since: 02-05-2006 Total posts: 9 |
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