Rice Heat Therapy Bag May 17 2016

Eight arms are better than two to sooth your muscles and calm your mind!

I found the perfect use for my Octopus embroidery by iHeart Stitch Art...a rice heat therapy bag that is not only useful but stylish too!

A quick and easy gift to make for someone who needs a little TLC.

Materials you will need:

• 8-1/2 x 8-1/2 inch linen embroidery square (you can also fussy cut some of your favorite fabric) - I stitched the octopus with Sue Spargo's Eleganza Perle Cotton 8 EZM17 Inked
• 16 x 8-1/2 inch strip of coordinating fabric (shown Rice in Navy from the Bluebird collection by Cotton & Steel)
• 1/4 yard muslin or scrap fabric for heat therapy bag lining as well as rice bag
• 2 pounds rice 
• essential oil(s)
• cotton thread (polyester thread may catch fire in the microwave)

Step 1: Cut and prepare fabric for liner and outer bag

Liner - Cut 23-1/2 inch x 8-1/2 inch strip of muslin.

• From coordinating fabric, cut (1) 5 x 8-1/2 inch piece and (1) 11 x 8-1/2 inch piece.
• Sew fabric strips on either side of linen embroidery using 1/4 inch seam.

Step 2: Sew outside bag to bag liner

With right sides together, sew 1/4 inch seams on both short sides to create a continuous piece of fabric or tube.

Step 3: Press seams open

Hang fabric on the end of your ironing board in order to press both seams open.  Turn tube right side out.

Step 4: Add 1/2 inch top stitch to the shorter strip on the fabric tube

Step 5: Fold bag and pin into place

With right side up, measure 1-1/2 inches into the shorter fabric strip.  Fold and pin into place.

Repeat for longer side, measuring 1-1/2 inches into strip and then folding over.  Longer side should overlap shorter side by approximately 1 inch.  Pin into place.

Step 6: Sew bag together and flip bag right side out

Using 1/4 inch seam, sew both sides of heat therapy bag.  You may also wish to serge each seam or to use an overcast stitch for additional reinforcement.

Turn heat therapy bag right side out.

Step 7: Prepare essential oils.

Put rice into a bowl and add essential oils as desired.  I chose to use eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil for a cool and refreshing effect.

Set aside.

Step 9: Sew rice bag

Use remaining muslin fabric (approximately 20 x 8-1/2 inches) to make the rice bag.

Fold in half and using 1/4 inch seam, sew the three open sides together leaving a 3 inch opening on one of the sides. 

Turn muslin bag right side out and fill with rice.  I used a piece of paper to create a funnel in order to pour the rice directly into the bag.

Stitch the rice bag closed.  I shook the rice to one side and machine stitched it closed but you may hand stitch as well.

Heat rice bag as desired (approximately 1-2 minutes) in microwave and place into the linen heat therapy bag for use.  Store rice bag in linen heat therapy bag when not in use.

Namaste!