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Thursday, December 1, 2011

DIY Rice Bag Warmers


DIY Rice Bag Warmers at artsyfartsymama.com

It's getting colder {where I live, anyway}, and there's nothing better than coming home and snuggling up on the couch with a blanket and warming up your toes! My tutorial today isn't necessarily a new idea, but it's an idea that I'd love to share anyway.

These rice bag warmers make for great gifts to friends and neighbors for the holidays. Plus, these work great for when you're sick and need a heat or ice pack, too! I also used them a lot when my daughter was a colicky, gassy newborn. It seemed to help a lot.

Supplies:
Fabric - Cotton, fleece, or flannel fabrics work best
White rice {NOT instant rice}
Sewing machine, pins, etc.
Scented oils (optional)

To start out, cut fabric 14" x 11" {adjust size for different sized bags}. Fold fabric in half, right-sides together so it measures 7"x11". Sew along the longest edge so you make a sleeve or tube.

DIY Rice Bag Warmers at artsyfartsymama.com

Flip sleeve right-side out. Tuck one of the edges in and pin. Top-stitch closed using a 1/4" seam allowance.

DIY Rice Bag Warmers at artsyfartsymama.com

Fill bag with rice. I used about 2 1/2 - 3 cups. Don't overfill the bag, otherwise it won't conform to your body and will be difficult to sew closed. If you are using scented oils, add a drop or two in your rice and mix well before adding the rice to the bag.

Tuck edges and pin other end and top-stitch closed. Now your rice bag warmer is complete!

DIY Rice Bag Warmers at artsyfartsymama.com

As you can see in the picture above, I also decided to make some pocket-sized warmers! These fit perfectly in your hands and pockets for early mornings out or if you are going to be spending time in the cold and want to keep your fingers warm. Just heat before you leave and you're good to go!

DIY Rice Bag Warmers at artsyfartsymama.com

I used a couple of scraps that measured about 6 1/2" x 2 1/2". Fold the strip in half, right sides together so it measures 3 1/4" x 2 1/2". Sew along the edges, starting at the fold, leaving an inch or so gap. Flip the bag right-side out. Carefully fill the bag using a funnel with about an 1/8 cup of rice. Fold the gap closed and top-stitch closed.

...and ta-da!
A tiny, adorable, comfy, pocket-sized hand warmer!

DIY Rice Bag Warmers at artsyfartsymama.com

Heat bags in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warm. Don't overcook or make too hot or you could burn the rice {and you thought burnt popcorn was bad...}, or worse, burn yourself or your child. No bueno.

If you'd like to make and give some bags away as a gift, I've created a printable tag for you to attach to your rice bag warmer.

DIY Rice Bag Warmers Poem Printable at artsyfartsymama.com #printable #freeprintable
I found this poem here.

Just click on one of the images below, right click, "Save As", and print!
I tried to make one wintery colors, traditional Christmas colors and the other can be used any time of year!

DIY Rice Bag Warmers Poem Printable at artsyfartsymama.com #printable #freeprintable DIY Rice Bag Warmers Poem Printable at artsyfartsymama.com #printable #freeprintable DIY Rice Bag Warmers Poem Printable at artsyfartsymama.com #printable #freeprintable


Some things you should know before downloading:
*Artsy-Fartsy Mama printables are for PERSONAL USE ONLY.
*You may NOT modify, re-sell, redistribute, or claim the design as your own.
*Please do not remove the watermark.
*If you post this on the internet, credit must be given to Artsy-Fartsy Mama & linked back to my blog.

Hope you enjoy and have a WARM winter!!

Would you like to comment?

  1. WAY cool! Love this gift idea and thanks so much for sharing the printables!

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  2. AWESOME tutorial...such a great gift idea! I posted a link on my blog to this idea!

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  3. These are just adorable! Thanks for the printout!

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  4. I made those one year and thought everyone would think I was just crazy. (Well, maybe they do, but) they loved the rice warmers!! :-)

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  5. These are great gifts to make! Thanks so much for linking up to Things I’ve Done Thursday!!

    Melanie
    Sew Rugged @ bear rabbit bear
    bearrabbitbear.blogspot.com

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  6. Following by from Friday Friend and Follow to say hello.
    Have a great day!
    POSH
    http://poshonabudget.com/2011/12/friday-friend-and-follow.html

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  7. Wow! You are awesome! I just happened to buy some *extra* fleece recently. Thanks for finding a use for it. I am a sucker for anything 'mini'. I really do appreciate your ideas.
    *Side Note: I got SO many compliments on the super cute Turkey shirts that I made for my kids courtesy of your blog. I have now tried interfacing...I now also need a new ironing board cover because I misread one of the instructions. :) I am excited to try new projects with it-all thanks to you! Thank you!

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  8. We've got "bed buddies", about the size of an arm,intended to go around the back of your neck, across forehead for migraine, etc. Now I can make custom-sizes for shoulders-back, etc. They're $25 in JOann Fabrics!
    craftythriftydecoratingwifemom.wordpress.com

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  9. This is awesome! I have been wanting to make some of these with the snow coming for the kids.....and you have it....with a free printable! I think now I have my Teacher's gifts picked out! Thanks so much!!

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  10. This is great thanks. I gotta find me some warm fleece to use:)

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  11. We just watched this movie this morning! Great gift idea!

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  12. these are adorable!!! i made some awhile back but not nearly this awesome...and i love the printable! pocket size rocks my toe socks

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  13. Cool! I'm going to have to try this. I just found you on Sisters of the Wild West link party. I hope you will follow me back over at www.createdbycori.blogspot.com

    Off to see more of your stuff!

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  14. I love rice bags! Your printable is perfect, makes a great gift very cute, too.

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  15. What cool printables to go with these rice bags! Perfect little gifts!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a great week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  16. Awesome idea! Guess what I'm making ,,,,hehehe....also...love that movie!!

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  17. I make these and call them Boo Boo Buddies. I use flannel kid prints and usually keep a couple in the freezer to soothe a bumped head or smashed finger. I love the pocket warmer idea. I think I'll go make some for the kids to put in their pockets at the bus stop in the morning, seeing that is it supposed to be -5 tomorrow. Thanks for the tip!

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  18. Yours is so much nicer looking than mine...a sock that has lost it's mate, tied at the opening! lol!! I happen to have some fleece on hand, so I'm going to make some to warm my tootsies at night. Thanks for the printables. I may even make a couple extra for gifts!

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  19. what a thoughtful gift and so perfect for cold weather come see me at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

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  20. Thanks so much for this, I can't wait to make a few. I like this idea so much that I'm sharing it on my FB and Twitter page you should see the link go up soon.

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  21. I made these for my SIL who is always cold! Thanks for the little tag to go with it!

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  22. I can't wait to try these....I just need to crack open my sewing machine that's still in the boc=x from my bday in Sept. :/ lol
    You are in my Stay At Home Nation Spotlight this week! Thanks so much for linking up, I can't wait to see what you share this week!
    XoXo
    Iffy

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  23. hey! its been a while since i've said hi! thanks for linking this last weekend, looks so warm and snuggly! you're being featured tonight!

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  24. Can't believe that deal you got on fleece! Great idea. I think this is something I could actually sew!

    -caroline @ c.w.frosting

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  25. I think these are a wonderful git ides. I made some for my parents, in laws, and my kids teachers. Thanks for linking up today at http://sewstylishboutique.blogspot.com/
    Rose and Heather

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  26. Thank you so much for the printable and tutorial! I just made 9 of them for a family gift exchange tomorrow. I think they'll love them. Thanks!!

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  27. Do you think you can add some dried herbs for a slight scent like lavender?

    waldenconfessions.blogspot.com

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  28. I love this! I have always just put rice in a sock, but I think these would make very useful gifts, especially with your cute printable. Thank you!

    I would love it if you would share this at my new 12 Days of Christmas in July linky party. You can link up here:

    http://theprudentpantryblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/twelve-days-of-christmas-in-july-linky.html

    I can’t wait to get organized for a peaceful and frugal holiday season!

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  29. How do you wash them?

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    Replies
    1. No clue if you'll see this after 7 years lol - here's what I'd recommend: make them out of light cotton, then use the fleece one as a cover.

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  30. I have made these and used corn. I made long ones and sewed in sections with a loop on each end so that they can be hung on a door know or other places. By sewing in section the corn does not run all to one end.
    The corn works great and some farmer will give you a small bag of shelled corn .

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  31. I am wondering why both my bags, one with rice and one with corn, got extremely wet coming out of the microwave? Anything to do with the fleece? Anyone else have this problem? There was alot of moisture on both sides of the fleece.

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  32. Thank you, Lindsay! I'm making these with my students in our high school library to give to Veterans who'll be coming to our school district to talk with the students about their experiences serving our country. The instructions and the poem are perfect. I'm sure they will feel pampered!

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