Rice Warmers

Have you ever worried about keeping your heating pad with you in bed while plugged in all night?  Looking for the perfect solution?

For Christmas gifts we made Rice Warmers.  You can use them in place of a heating pad for soreness or cramps.  You can take one to bed with you on a cold night.  If made correctly, they can stay warm for 20 to 30 minutes.  

Pick 2 coordinating, pre-washed fabrics.  I found some in my Heather Ross stash.  Flannel works well, though a tight weave such as poplin, gives a light feel to the skin:  

 

 Lay your fabrics right sides together, cutting both at the same time.
 Using your rotary cutter, cut 2 - 8.5 x 14 inches.
 Sew around 3 sides, leaving a smaller end open.  Trim corners.

 Turn right side out, and press.

 Turn under unfinished edges and press.

 Fill with 8 1/2 cups rice (largest size grain you can find).  Sew 1/8th inch seam along pressed opening, double stitching at beginning and end.

Put your Rice Warmer in a clean microwave for 3 1/3 - 4 min.  You will have to experiment on the time.
Enjoy!

 

We made some with pannels, but I don't think they'll stay warm as long.

Hamilton's 9 square slash

 Take 9 -5 inch squares, and sew them into a block, slash down the middle, and again across.  Lay your squares out, and randomly toss them.  White Kona sashing makes your blocks pop.  

I love this quilt, it finished up real nice.  I had a hard time letting it go, but it went to the home of our newly married son and his darling wife and I know it will be loved and appreciated.  (Hamilton is the name of their dearly loved pet Hedgehog . . . yes, you heard right).

 This was my first quilt made with bamboo batting.  It is so soft, and light weight.  Please leave me a comment if you have used bamboo batting.

 I love meander quilting.  It is by far the fastest to quilt.  I picked a variegated thread for this one.

 I found a fun new way to add a little more character to a quilt, and use my sacred Heather Ross scraps at the same time.