Gifting Rice Bags & A Tutorial

-
It's time to make gifts and sometimes I need a gift that is something quick, easy and practical.  Rice bags are one of my go to fun gifts.  I use my own rice bag all the time for those aches and pains that creep up.  I've made rice bags in all shapes and sizes but this year I am opting for the divided long version.

I know there are many variations but here is how I make mine:
1.  First I cut a piece of flannel into a rectangle - approximately 12" x 22".

2.  Turn one of the 12" ends under a half inch and press.

3.  Fold the rectangle in half long ways with right sides together.  

4.  Starting at the folded edge, stitch a 1/4" seam along the two raw edges.  I like to sew this seam twice, the second seam just inside the first for extra stability.

5.  Turn the tube inside out and push the corners out.  Fold the tube in half and press a crease.  Fold each end to the center and press a crease.  The seams for each section have been created.

6.  Put one cup of rice into the tube and stitch along the first crease line.
I like to shake all the rice to the bottom of the tube and put a couple pins above the rice in the hopes that the rice will stay put while I stitch.  It usually works too!

Repeat step #6 until the bag is filled and all creases and the folded edge are stitched closed.
Done!

I love the divided bags because they keep the heat (or cold if they've been frozen) in just the right place on my body.  No migrating rice or the need to keep the bag moving.
I've seen a number of cutesy poems online to include with a rice bag but none of them speak to me.  I'm still searching for just the right tag to include with these lovelies.
Any ideas?

I'm linking up to Off The Wall Friday's with this post.  Have a look-see and see what everyone else has one their wall this week!








Comments

Sylvia said…
Well written tutorial! One question, how long do you zap the bag in the microwave?
November 17, 2012 at 9:03 AM
Lisa Chin said…
Good questions Sylvia! You microwave the bag one to two minutes depending on the strength of your microwave. You can also freeze the bag for a great cold pack for owies.
November 17, 2012 at 10:58 AM
Jeannie said…
I hadn't thought about freezing them! Great idea and tutorial. I am with you on the divided areas. They are also great as foot warmers on cold nights. :) Wishing you the happiest of Thanksgivings, Lisa!
November 21, 2012 at 2:09 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gelli Plate Tutorial with Leaves

-
Image
Here's the Gelli Plate Tutorial you asked for! My Gelli plate has been well used and well loved. 1. Place Gelli Plate on a flat, covered working surface, and place small dots of paint onto the plate.  My demo photos are with me using acrylics and paper but it works exactly the same with fabric paint and fabric.  I like using Jacquard Textile paint when I make fabric prints. 2. Use a brayer to spread the paint evenly across the plate. 3.  I used the leaves as a resist for the first print. 4. Place the paper/fabric on top of the printing plate and smooth it out nicely to get an even print. 5.  Carefully lift up the paper/fabric. Found a photo from when I printed the fabric - see same process. This is a first print. 5.  I know that MONOprinting means ONE print but seriously, when you remove the leaves from the plate there are these beautifully textured leaves left on the plate just dying to be printed.  I couldn't ignore t...
Read more

Fabric Printing at Home Blog Tour

-
Image
About two months ago I wrote a review about the book Fabric Printing at Home written by my friend, Julie B. Booth . Today I'm going to show you one of the things I learned from her book and then give you an opportunity to win a copy of the book for yourself. I used a hot glue gun to create a design onto a toilet paper roll.  I was impatient and didn't seal the toilet paper roll with white glue or a gel medium before creating my design.   I inserted a short roller handle that one can find at the local hardware store into the toilet paper roll. . .   . . . and used my 3x5" Gelli Plate as a paint palette.  I rolled the paint across a sample piece of fabric. . . . . .first going long ways. . .  . . .and then again short ways. I really like the texture this provides whether I go once or twice across the fabric and I'm gladly adding it to my art "toolbox."  Have you tried something like this before?  What ha...
Read more

Quilt National

-
Image
My husband and I took a red-eye flight to Columbus, Ohio, and then drove the one hour to Athens, Ohio, to attend the opening of the Quilt National quilt show where my piece, Wild Flowers was being shown. Made a stop at Tim Horton's, a Canadian chain for some delicious breakfast sandwiches and donut holes. We went to the Kennedy Art Museum, on the Ohio University campus. This is the side of the building. Photo of the front of the building from the cleveland.com website. The building was designed in the 1860s by Cleveland architect Levi Scofield, and was originally part of the Athen's Lunatic Asylum. It opened in 1996 as the Kennedy Museum of Art. There were some lovely prints, paintings and exhibits. It didn't take long to tour, which was good for my knees. I was glad to be able to see this Elizabeth Catlett print. I admire her work. I've seen some of her her other prints in person, and was anxious to also see this one. Friday evening, the Quilt National show opened, and...
Read more