This is such an easy gift that bring so much comfort and coziness. With under one yard of fabric and 30 minutes, you can make this adorable handmade heating pad to help soothe shoulders, heads, sore muscles, and cramps. You can also customize your heating pad by choosing your filling, scents, and fabric!

Instructions:

1: Cut out your fabric

Since this heating pad gets warmed in the microwave, you should use microwave-safe fabric. I recommend flannel, cotton, or linen which is heat-safe and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

2: Pin and sew three sides together

Right right sides together, pin and sew three sides closed, leaving one short side open so you can fill it later. To ensure no little pieces of oats or rice fall out of the seams, I used a tight zig zag stitch for all sides. Specifically, I set my stitch length to 1.5 and my width to 1.

3. Trim the corners and turn inside out

Trim the excess seam allowance in the corners and turn your fabric inside out. Then press with an iron to make sure your seams are nice and straight.

4. Measure your fabric and draw lines to dive it into thirds

Using a fabric pen/pencil, mark lines that divide your fabric into thirds. This is where you’ll stitch once you fill each section with rice/oats.

5. Fill the first section

Fill the first section up halfway to the line that you drew. You can use rice, oats, flaxseed or any combination of these. For an extra special touch, you can add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil to the filling. Some of my personal faves are lemongrass, lavender, and eucalyptus.

Then, pin your fabric on the sides of the line you drew to hold the fabric on place while you sew. Then sew a straight stitch along your line to create your first closed pocket. Take extra care to backstitch at the beginning and end of the line to keep your stitching strong and closed.

Tip: When you microwave your heating pad, the scent will be stronger, so only use a very small amount of essential oil (3-4 drops max).

6: Repeat step 5 for the second section

7: To finish your heating pad, fold in the ends roughly a 1/2″ and stitch closed

Fold in the ends and pin/clip closed. Then straight stitch across the opening to finish. You’re done!

Final reveal!

Enjoy your brand new heating pad or give it as a gift!

How to use:

1. Microwave for 30 seconds
2. Rearrange the heating pad and heat for another 30 seconds
3. If needed, heat for an additional 30 seconds more. (Don’t heat more than 90 seconds total.)

Care Instructions:

Since your heating pad is filled with rice/oats/flaxseed, it cannot get wet or be washed. Take care to avoid spills when using to help keep it clean. You could also wrap it in a towel or cloth to help keep it clean.