I love the rose flannel. What is the name of the fabric? I would love some.

I use crushed walnut shells for the weight and buckwheat hulls for the fill with less weight..both can take the micro and not be HOT to burn, nor do they pop, burn, etc or attract bugs. You can also get a corn cobb litter at walmart that works really well! Also all 3 of these can absorb essential oils like lavender to help with aroma therapy!

I too make a bag using canvas, or denim then make a pretty sleeve for it go into.

I have used field corn from a feed store. Stays warm for quite a while. My mother-in-law used hers so much that we did have to replace the corn. (everyday during the winter for a couple of years)

I also have been wanting to make some of these as I am always cold and have a back problem and the heat works better than any drugs I have tried. My concern is the smell of the corn or rice, I don't like the smell it gives off when it is heated. Does any one have suggestions as to a filler with no odor. I have filled it with small amounts of lavender but then the combination of smells is not terrific.

I use flax seed with a little bit of lavander in it.

Oh, and we also put them in the freezer to cool us on hot nights and also on bumps and strains.

Now I have a better picture of what these are like. Thanks so much for the info. I will make some this fall.

I use rice successfully. Also make pillowcases to go over the rice bag. Helps to retain the heat and keeps the bag clean. You can wash the outer case.

I know it depends on the size of the bag but do you have any idea how much flax seed you use?

Thanks

Just a little something to add that may help...If you freeze the rice or corn for 24 hrs. before using, it kills all the little eggs that hatch into those little weevels. This is a trick to use if you're storing anything that contains flour, rice, etc. It will now keep on the shelf indefinitely. Also, I was thinking that you can add a handful of those dried flowers that you can buy at any of the discount stores for potpourri. Just some thoughts....

I have a hot pad that is filled with sand and sewed every inch in rows.
This might work for a foot warmer.

Yes, please send the information to me. Our church sewing ladies are making the bags for a fundraiser and are trying to find an economical filler for them. Didn't think of feed corn. Thanks for your help.

Does anyone know if you can use wheat in them. Has anyone tried it?

BBs are made of metal. I don't think you would be wanting to be putting those in your microwave. Seems like it would blow up? If foil, spoons, etc are a bad idea....well, I would skip the bbs.

I have some walnut shells left over from a project that my hubby did, do you know if they will work.

Sorry, I missed your post. I have a huge bag of the walnut shells. Do you micro for the same time, about 1-2 minutes?

I have been making the bags, all shapes and sizes, for years, and I use rice with some lavender buds tossed in. I noticed that someone said they used bird seed and misted it. Wetting the rice is a good way to get a serious burn. I know someone who tried it.

I like the rice because it makes for a moist heat each time you use it. The best way to heat it is for a minute, roll the bag in your hand to redistribute the rice, then heat it more until it is a temp you want. The biggest bag I have takes about 90 seconds to heat completely.

I have made a couple with ties on them to wrap around my shoulders then tie to hold in place. They make nice gifts, and if you make them with removable covers, last forever.

My DM has one that was given to her and it has cherry pits in it. It stays warm for quite a long time & smells good. I don't know where you would get cherry pits though.

I use dried cherry pits. The pits retain the heat for a long time. You can order the cherry pits on line from Traverse City, Michigan. The pits are very clean when you receive them. Give them a try :)

I"ve tried rice, beans and flax… FLAX is by far superior in my opinion…it holds the heat longer… I like to put my heated flax warmer under a pillow at my side on a cold night.. it stays warm most of the night ! so soothing along my spine.. when I can't get my feet warmed up , I just push my warmer to my feet and ahhh..it warms them right up…… have fun making it… PS they make awesome Christmas gifts…even the little grandkids love them….

I make these bags for our cancer treatment center to pull up veins on patients and for those I use corn. but for genteral warming and cooling I use flax seed. It lasts for years and even if it gets damp it won't get nasty smelling. I also make an outer cover that you can wash whick is VERY important

I have heard about using rice, the snuggle bags that I had I bought from a friend and she uses field corn to fill them, and I didn't have a problem with bugs, or mice. Of course, in the winter I would go to bed with at least 4 of them in stragegic places. I had the poem, but lost it. I'll see if I can track it down for you. I think I saw a Martha Stewart show where she used buckwheat, but I'm not 100% sure.

I use a combination of 1/2 rice and 1/2 buckwheat. You can mist it if you need moist heat. The buckwheat holds the heat a little better than just plain rice, and can also be used as a cold pack. I make neck warmers in a big C shape around 6 inches wide, and make a wiggly quilted line down the middle so the filling stays flatter, not as heavy, and stays evenly distributed. They work great, and no problem with bugs!

I use cherry pits also,my friend found them at the grain elevator. I get terrible charlie horses and the warmth helps me immediately, I can't explain it,but somehow it works. I love my cherry pit bag

I use flax seed mixed with dried lavender!

Yes, a friend gave me one that she had used corn in. Over the summer the mic e did quite a job on it.!!!

I use white tube socks( no heel) with rice. They conform to any shape you need andare great for neck area. I fill to bottom of ribbed area and close off there. I have had these for the last 4 years and had no rodent problems. I made 2 doz for friends and they love them and haven't had any problems. They do get quite hot so i always use extra towel.

It was the soft pellet BB's...The article said they were made of some kind of plastic. I need to see if I can find it again. I had it saved to favorites but then the computer crashed and all that was lost. :(

If you add a bit of eucalyptus the bugs will stay away

cherry pits work great...either you have to eat a lot of cherries or live by an orchard processing plant. Maybe a search on google would render cherry pits, they do work good and retain their heat for along time.

I use wheat berries. The reason that I like them is that they give a moist heat and are not drying. They last and last.

I have used dried beans as well.

Please ask what she likes before you add herbs? I am allergic to lavender, so there is nothing soothing about it. :thumbdown: I would love one that smelled of Thyme. Hey that gives me an idea. Thank you. :thumbup:

Too funny!

Why do you mist it? ...and I'm not laughing!!!

I've made several after buying one and then realizing how easy it would be to make! The one I bought had some herbs and maybe some lavender in it, which smelled pretty bad when they scorched in the microwave. I just use rice. I always make a bag of rice (sewn shut triple on all sides) and then a pretty "pillowcase" out of flannel or fleece to put it in AFTER heating for softness. Never would have survived wrist surgery healing without mine!

You can get these at Hobby Lobby in the area where they have stuffing for dolls, etc.

Great ideas. Thanks!

I used feed corn because they said it stays warm longer. I like it.

I've only used cheap rice in a muslin cover, then used a tea towell for a "pillowcase" to put it in out of the microwave. Your flannel would do the same. But I would put hte rice in a muslin cover sewn just bigger than the size you want and sewn closed. This way the outer case can be washed when it gets dirty and the rice doesn't get wet.