Last year, I visited a college friend. When I got into my bed, a soft pillow that had been filled with flax seed and heated in the microwave warmed me. I was cozy all night. I was intrigued, and looked forward to making my own heating pads once I returned home.
It’s really simple to make a quick heating pad-just take a sock, fill it up with rice or flax seed, and tie the end. Put it in the micro for two or more minutes (test it after every minute or so until you know the right amount of time), and you’re done! These can be put around your neck, you can hold it or wrap around your hands, put on your legs, or feet, etc. To keep feet warm, put two heated socks on the floor, and put your each foot on top of one. You can put your foot between two socks if you make four of them! If you use these only for your feet, and you don’t have to worry too much about how clean they are.
When I got home, I made my own little pillows. I used soft material, like flannel. I first experimented by heating white rice, brown rice, barley, flax seed, etc. in socks to see how each worked. All worked fine, but flax seed was the smoothest to feel. It took a little longer to heat than rice, but also stayed warm longer. I simply sewed three seams to make a square or oblong “pillow”, turned it inside out, filled it with flax seed, and sewed up the last side. I place the heating pads in my bed at night, or on my lap when I’m sitting in the house. I love putting my hands or feet on one of these pillows when I’m cold to really warm up.
This year, I made a larger hot pad with four compartments to more evenly distribute the seeds. I looked on the web just for fun to see if there was anything new about how to make them, since I just faked it, and there are a few sites. After I made this large pad with my daughter, we came up with a new idea so we didn’t have to make a cover to keep it clean. Also, this new way simplifies the sewing! I took a heavier weight soft flannel pillowcase, and cut it in half, so it looked like two squares. I started with the half that already was sewn up on three sides. It’s a good idea to sew around the unfinished side so it won’t unravel. Then I made three more seams parallel to the sides so there were 4 open pockets. Do the same thing with the other half of the pillow case to make a second pad. It’s actually easier to make the second one because the side that is open already has a finished seam. Sew the other side up, and make your three seams for pockets. Anyway, THIS is now a cover in which you can place flax seed socks, which I can wash anytime. I filled four socks with flax seed, and slipped them in the pockets. You can tie or sew the socks closed. Heat the whole thing, and you’ve got a big warm pad. Also, if you tie the sock instead of sew up the seam, and notice you have too much or too little flax seed in it, it’s easy to untie the sock and adjust, which you can’t do once you’ve sewn flax seed inside. So, these are easier than sewing flax seed in a pouch, and when I want to wash my cover, it’s easy! If you are concerned about the socks falling out of the pockets, you can sew velcro to close them, or use buttons. If you use safety pins, take them off before putting in the micro.
The next night I discovered yet another idea. I took a baby receiving blanket, folded it in half, and made five parallel seams-one to sew up each end, one up the middle, one each halfway from the middle to the end. This made four large pockets to hold long tube socks sewn full of flax seed, and all the seams of the cover were already finished. This makes a nice big heating pad. You can make a few of them, and cover your bed before you crawl in, and it will be all warmed up for you. I love them! These also fit nicely across your lap so you can be cozy while at the computer, watching T.V., or when you’re in the car. You can put one under or over your feet (in or out of bed) to warm up, or wrap around your hands, or a foot. I love these much more than an electric blanket! A thick, finished cotton white diaper is another idea for material I’m going to try. You can sew two together for a big pad, or fold in half for a smaller pad. I’m sure you can come up with all sorts of creative ideas that will work best for you.
Lastly, I haven’t tried scenting these yet, so they do have that flax seed (or rice) scent. But I’ve heard you can use essential oils on the fabric, or put something inside the socks or pads along with the seeds.
So, that’s my new, exciting discovery I’m passing on! Have fun trying any of the above ideas, keep warm, and enjoy! Happy Warm New Year!
