Baby It's Cold

Step1

It's getting cold outside and what would be better to make than something to keep you warm, relax your tired muscles, and make you feel cozy?  A microwavable heat pack made with all natural flax seed and cotton fabrics.

Step 2

Gather your supplies:

1 Fat Quarter main fabric- 100% cotton flannel fabric

1 Fat Quarter lining fabric- 100% cotton woven solid color (muslin or broadcloth) 

approximately 12 ounces natural raw whole flax seeds

100% cotton thread (30 wt quilting thread)

Step 3

Be sure to get your template at the top of this post. 

Place the template on the fold and  Cut 2 main fabric and 2 lining fabric. 

Step 4

Place 1 lining on wrong side of 1 main fabric piece.  

 Repeat for second piece.

Step 5

Place layers with right sides of main fabric together lining up all corners and edges.

Step 6

Stitch 1/4 inch seam, leaving a 4-5 inch opening at top center (long edge) of heat pack.

Step 7

Clip inner corners making sure not to clip threads.

Step 8

Turn right side out.

Step 9

Using a stitch length of 3 or 3.5, edge stitch around seam making sure to back stitch at start and end of opening at top.

Step10 

Mark your top stitching to create the cells for the flax seed to move around.   Keep the stitching at least 1 inch away from the edges of the heat pack.

Stitch along your marked lines securing the stitches at the beginning and end of each line.

Step11

Fill the heat pack with flax seed.

I have found that a large smoothie straw helps get the flax seed in the hard to reach areas.  A funnel can be useful.

I created a funnel using a paper plate and straw.

Step12

Try to fill the heat pack as full as possible moving it around a lot to help the seeds settle into all the corners.  

Using pins or clips to hold the opening closed, fold over the raw edge, toward the inside of the opening and stitch the opening closed making sure to back stitch at the beginning and end.

In order to warm, place in microwave and heat in 30 second intervals.  Remove between each interval and move around so no area of the flax seeds get over heated.   It could take 3 to 5 intervals depending on the power of your microwave.

I don't recommend adding oils or fragrances to the filling since the heat pack will be placed in the microwave.

 This heat pack can also be frozen for a cold pack.  Just place in a resealable bag in the freezer and use as needed.

I love these packs.  I have 2 in my freezer and one always ready to microwave for my sore achy muscles.  

When my muscles are tight they get the hot pack and when they just hurt they get the cold pack.  This is my go to pack to put on my neck when I have a headache!