Heating Pad Tutorial
Apr 02, 2010 
27 Comments
So this is a project that’s been in the back of my mind for months, but it took finding the perfect fabric to get motivated and get going on it. When I laid my eyes on Amy Butler’s LOVE flannels, I knew it was time. I chose this vibrant, yet soothing flannel and got busy.
See, there’s a particular day each month *ahem* that makes me yearn for a good, heavy heating pad, but by the time my body reminds me that I want it….well, I’m just too crabby to sew. 
This month, though, I’m prepared.
Gorgeous, right? If only you could feel, smell and pet it. It turns out that Amy Butler’s super-luxurious flannel + rice + lavender essential oils = heaven. In case you were wondering.
I didn’t have the details for the heating pad worked out in my mind, but I find if I just start cutting fabric….it just all works out. Usually. This was one of those fortunate times and I’m thrilled that it only took my one shot to achieve the sectioned heating pad glory I was after. I was nervous that I would fail at achieving the sectioned design that I was picturing in my mind, but I came up with a little trick that makes it super easy.
Ready to begin? You know you want one! I knocked this one out in under an hour while still in my pajamas this morning.
Cut two 19″ x 8″ rectangles of high quality flannel. I bought 1/2 yard of this one and it’s enough to make 2 heating pads.
Serge (without cutting fabric) one of the short ends of each piece. (I don’t like raw edges.)
Pin your pieces right sides together.
Serge 1/4″ along the two long sides and the other short end. This short end will be the “bottom” of our project for tutorial purposes.
Then, on your open end (top) start sewing approximately 1″ from the side with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Continue around the fabric until you return to the top edge and stop when you’re about 1″ into it again. That makes very little sense, so here’s a pic:
Now you’re nice and reinforced. We want this thing to be sturdy and never leak so much as a grain of rice!
Cut diagonally across all 4 corners without cutting into your seam.
Turn it right side out, make your corners nice and square, press it and topstitch along the edge.
Starting at the seamline at the bottom of your project, mark the pad into six 3″ sections using a chalk pencil. My lines didn’t show up very clearly in the pictures, but you get the idea.
I think.
Put 4 1/2 cups of uncooked rice (or flax seed or whatever filler you prefer. I like the weight of the rice. ) in a large zip baggie and throw in some of your favorite essential oils. Shake! Shake! Shake!
Now, take 3/4 cup of your rice/oil mix and dump it into your heating pad.
My concern was how to contain the rice long enough to sew the barrier seam. Hmmmmm…..A-HA! A temporary barrier! I pinned the rice back about 1/2″ away from my marked line leaving just enough room for the presser foot to pass by.
The problem with that was that it was a tad difficult doing it with the pad lying flat on the table (or my bed as you see in my pics. ) So…..I hung it from my ironing board using my iron to weight it down. Work with gravity, baby.
Stitch it up and repeat for all 6 sections.
After filling your final section, sew your barrier seam near the top edge and then the folds in and zigzag the very edge.
That’s the toughest part…and it’s not even so tough. And…you’re done!
You’re final product will measure 18″ x 7″ which is ideal for abdominal cramps, sore lower back or tense neck.
It rolls up nicely to tuck into a bedside drawer.
And I’m pretty sure that my next project will be a cute little drawstring bag in a coordinating fabric. Perfect for storage and for gift-giving. I’ll keep you posted on that project. 
EDIT: Drawstring Bag Tutorial has been added!
Stick it in the microwave for around 2 minutes. Of course, this time varies from one microwave to the next. Just be very careful not to overheat (it will stink and can hurt ‘cha!).
Also….you can store it in your freezer for cold therapy on an injure knee, back, etc…
So…there you have it. Now get busy!
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You’re so going to make some of these to sell, right?!?! Cuz uh…I’d like to order several.
I love it! Great job!!!
This is awesome, and it’s such a pretty fabric!! You are so inspiring… I absolutely can’t sew… so I am with Diane, let me know if you start selling these!!
Came out so good. That fabric was so nice. I want one now.
So neat and pretty, can’t wait to see the bag for it. This looks like something I can do, try, maybe.
MUCH classier than the tube sock filled with rice that I tout in my CBE classes! LOL I love the channels to keep the rice evenly distributed!!! If you decide to sell them, LMK, and I’ll give you a plug!
Omg, you could not have had better timing with this tute! I was just trying to come up with a good ‘thank you’ gift for E’s teachers!! I’m going to whip some of these up tomorrow. Thanks!
Thank you!!! Wow. I really need this one…right now. Pregnancy back pains…ugh.
Such a fantastic project. I wish I had your talent. Somehow I don’t think this will ever be something I could do, even if I owned the right machine. I LOVE it though. Fantastic!
Great idea, I wish I had a time an d energy for projects like this. I think I’m going to send it to my mom, she is retired and sewing queen.
Cute Idea, BUT, you really should have mentioned that you need to wash and dry the fabric first. After you fill it with rice, you can never wash it and if you put that fabric in the micro you stand a chance of releasing ALL Of the chemicals that are on the fabric( mainly insecticides put on it to get it shipped into the USA from Asia), into the air you are breathing!
Another issue is the rice, if it collects any moisture, and it will in time, it can catch fire in the microwave!
You should have used buckwheat hulls or crushed walnut shell.
Or is using rice, make removable pouches that can be dried and stored separately from the pad!
Thank you so much for your input.
I assumed that everyone already knew to wash fabric before starting any project.
As far as the rice is concerned, I will keep that in mind. Having worked with several different types of similar pads during my work in day spas, I never experienced any type of issue with rice-filled ones that were reheated dozens of times each week. But… I hope that everyone will use caution each time they use their microwaves just in case!
Hey Jacquie,
If you know so much about everything, why is your name not linked to YOUR website that has all of your wonderful things that you make instead of hiding behind a dummy avatar and no link to see who you really are or what you can do?
Oh wait…because that’s the type person you are. I’m surprised she didn’t delete your comment and mark you as spam so you can’t do it again…I would have.
Oooh, great tute! I need to try this one out.
Never fear on the “wash and dry your fabric” thing. That’s kind of a beginner lesson, isn’t it? Hardly something I think needs mentioned every time.
I love the idea of the oils in the rice. I never knew how to do it
Oh, Abs- you are the sweetest thing! Abbie made me a heating pad and drawstring bag to get through my remaining weeks of pregnant bedrest! You are the ABS-olute best!!!
nice tut, thanks. I’ve read about all types of fillers and I wonder if any of them ever start to cook in the microwave. I think I’ll make one of these to use while sewing, maybe a little longer to hang around my neck. I get neck/shoulder tension. Now, I’m thinking about how to make one for a sore finger??
I might adapt my neck coolers to be neck heaters. I don’t have a tut, but I have read lots of tuts online for neck coolers. thanks. Cynthia
omg — I went to read other tuts on this site and saw the owl finger things. Could this possibly be the answer to my “finger warmer?” This certainly has some adaptable possibilities.
Can your heating pad also be a cooling pad and put in the freezer? thanks. Cynthia