I am making my mom a rag quilt and have enough flannel left to make her a rice/? warming bag. Pic of flannel below. My question to those that have made these and have experience using different fillings--what have you found to be the best filler as far as retaining heat, being insect/rodent free and the most comfortable? My mom gets very cold feet that she says seems as if she just can't warm through the cold months. She also has nerve sensitivity in her feet, covers seem too heavy. I want to make this for warming her feet--any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Edit-I found a poem that was used with the warming bags a while ago and can't find it now-does anyone have the poem or know where I can find it?

Is she diabetic? If so be very careful, she could burn herself and not even know.

No, as far as never being diagnosed as being diabetic.

I've used both rice and flax seed in the ones that I've made for my husband. Both have worked well and we've not had any trouble with rodents, but that could have something to do with the dog and cats :)

I used rice many times and never had any problems with it. Should you think the heat may be to hot or to close to her skin, wrap it in a small towel first. That way she still has the warmth, just not directly on her skin.

It's very nice for you to keep your Mama warm. It will remind her of your loving, warming heart.

I have only used rice, becareful not to over heat them in the microwave because they can burn. You have to work at it, I have only done it once. I haven't tried flax seed. Field corn holds the heat best and the longest. However, I think it is very attractive to bugs, rodents. So I just stick with rice. I like fleece when making rice bags, so nice and soft.

Whatever you use, if you add some dried lavender or other sweet smelling herbs she will have an added bonus when she heats it. I have one that is rather long and is sewn in sections. I mostly use it around my neck. However the idea of the sections is great because it keeps the filling from all going into one big lump. By the way, your fabric is really attractive.

dried corn - not popcorn. I have a great article on why and how to use feed corn and I've made lots of bags with it. I'll be happy to send the pdf file if you pm me. I checked the website diamondthreadworks.com where I got it and it's no longer there.

I used regular popcorn with great success...only take 1 minute to heat it up...if any kernels pop...you get aromatherapy too!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-114384-2.htm


The poem you where looking for, go to the second page and look at rannyof3 she posted it.

I hope you'll like it.

Thank You lovingmama, exactly what I was looking for.

I have only used rice but i have heard of people using buckwheat and corn and such. I would check and make sure the flannel is 100% cotton. you don't want it to catch fire or melt when it is heated up. a very very very bad thing.

I have used rice, flax seed, and have one with feed corn.
I use a 100% cotton fabric to make the bag, then I make a pretty "pillow case" cover for it. That way it can be washed easily if it gets soiled.
If you are concerned about bugs and such, simply put a bay leaf in with the rice, etc. I usually break my bay leaf into smaller pieces too.

Good idea about the bay leaf, I have put them on the pantry shelf to repel bugs. Does it give off a smell when heated?

We love our rice bags! Aches and pains, cramps, stiff shoulder, cold feet, you name it and our bags get used.

I've made several shapes. Squares about 8" work well for knees, rectangles work well for the back or feet. For neck ones, I sew channels into a longer, more narrow tube so that the rice doesn't end up all in one place.

If you use field corn, make sure you get cleaned corn (this has had the loose chaff and small pieces of dried cob) to reduce possibility of fire.

Using muslin, I make a bag the size desired, then make a pretty outer case; this makes it easier to keep clean. Your fabric is very pretty!

*The bay leaf smell is not too much. It does if you happen to get the bag wet!
Do get the feed corn from a feed store or a grange supply etc.
Bags can be made in all kinds of sizes~

I use dry corn. I get it at the feed store, or you can find it in the pet supplies, sold as squirrel feed. for me the corn holds the heat longer. I'm thinking it would be nice to some pillow case for the bags. it make easy to wash and can make some fun one for the kids. It is on my someday list.

Thank you all for the information. I got all the squares cut for the rag quilt this morning, not to get busy sewing.

I make mine in 3 sections to each section I add 1 cup of rice and 2 tbsp of pickling salt.

What does the pickling salt do?

Spice up your life? :) :wink: :-P

I make my rice bags with muslin for the inner; then use 100% cotton for the "pillowcase". I'm sure flannel would do great for the outside. I also add lavender sometimes; gives a good smell.

made some with rice and most with flax seeds. family/friends preferred the flax seed filled bags - same heat experience but much softer on the back / feet / shoulders.

I'd think corn would not be comfortable. You don't ever feel the sharp ends?

Now don't laugh... Or maybe you should... I used bird seed! The kind you get at Lowes. It is clean, bug free, and extremely aromatic, when misted with water and microwaved for 20 seconds, it is awesome!

I made a large foot warmer for MIL. The muslin was sewn down the middle making 2 foot-sized portions. I used flax seeds and lavendar essential oil. Found both at Whole Foods.

Then the fabric cover held the flax bag but also had a top flap piece to flip over the top of her feet (no flax, just quilted fabric).

She loves it!

How about putting velcro tags on the bags so they can stay wrapped around ankles, necks, etc. easier? Or just ribbon ties? And you know that these can be frozen as well as heated for the times when a cold pack is needed.

I've used rice which works well but have heard feed corn retains the heat longer. I plan to make a few with the feed corn and see. I read somewhere about using BB pellets but haven't tried that one yet.

I usually make the bag out of muslin and make a little pillowcase for it. The pillowcase can be removed and washed if needed.

we started making rice bags about 10 years ago- i use long-grain white rice (i buy it in bulk- inexpensive) we tried a couple other fillers (dried corn/ beans) hated the smell when it was heated- went back to rice.
i always make them in muslin first then cover with what ever-
the ones we made the granddaughters i made removeable covers for - so they can take the muslin bag out and wash the flannel cover. they stay warm a long time- i also keep one in a ziplock in the door of the freezer for when a cold pack is needed- works equally great for that.
my son in law is in the Army- and the first time he was being deployed we took pictures of him holding/hugging each of the girls- printed the picture on fabric- for each girl- and made them rice bags-so when they are missing him they can warm their bag and have a warm-daddy hug to snuggle with-
he has one too that he takes with him that has all 3 of his girls on it - he gets to missing them too :)

I use Flax Seed

Your flannel is beautiful.

I use rice. Your topic reminds me that I need to make some more bags. We have been using heavy mens' cotton socks filled with rice and tie a knot with the top of the sock. It works so well.

We often put the heated socks (2 minutes for us) in our bed before we go to bed on winter nights to warm the bed... oh, so nice to crawl in. Please have your Mom test with different heating times. Often I cut the time down to one minute depending on what part of my body I am laying it next to, especially if it is directly on my skin. Rice is so wonderful and holds the heat for a reasonable amount of time. I hope your Mom's feet are nice and comfortably toasty this winter. Bless you. :-D

What a great gift idea, now that the colder weather is coming! Coupled with the poem! I know a little something that my nurse manager will be receiving! Thanks for the idea!

I have made these bags with both corn and rice. I thought the corn one was a bit rough. I made one of each, heated them both at the same time for 1 minute, took them out, placed them on the counter, then measured them at 5 minute intervals for 30 minutes. The rice bag held the temp. the best. But I know a lot of people swear by the corn, so you might want to experiment like I did. Besides, I now have a 40 pound bag of corn--going to give it to a best friend to feed her chickens. LOL

I have a field corn bag I received as a gift for years and have never had a problem with any kind of bugs or anything. I would think just by heating it in the micro wave would kill any bugs.
My bag is fairly long, A bit longer than 12 inches. And it is not stuffed too full. I use it at my feet or for my shoulders,and I also take it camping just to warm me up in the camper. It is a nice size for wrapping it around a knee or where ever you need it. But YES you must be careful not to make it too hot because you can burn yourself.As for myself I really love mine and it helps a lot on my aches and pains.

Thank you for this information. My mom has mobility problems so when she lays down it is difficult for her to get back up therefore I want something that will hold heat well and be comfortable without burning her. She lives in Texas also and believe it or not it can get cold at times.

Is this the poem you want? The Rice Bag

This little pillow filled with rice,
Is such a comforting device.
Microwave for 2 minutes on high,
And kiss those aches and pains goodbye.
Apply it to the troubled spot,
The heat will ease the pain a lot.
Or warm those little toes so cold,
You'll find this nice to have and hold.
Or freeze it for a little while,
And fix that boo-boo up in style.
Instead of a compress made of ice,
Use this pillow filled with rice.

I use deer corn because it doesn't pop. It does retain the heat for a long time. I make a lot of them for elderly people. It seems that that the older you get the colder you get. Three minutes in the micro-wave and you are good to go.

What a wonderful stream of comments. I have one of the neck rolls that I used when my neck was sore, but I hadn't heard of the ones to warm the feet. I think that is a great idea. Is there a popular pattern for making these, as I haven't seen them before? This would be fun to include in Christmas packages.
I also love the poem. Thanks so much for sharing.

I found the rice bag poem and other helpful hint at http://quiltbug.com/articles/microwave-bag.htm

I use a mixture of 50/50 rice and feed corn. I've made 12" x 12" or 12" x 24" (use what you have that is close) I sew three sides like a pillow case, then sew channels up the long way.
Fill each channel 1/3 then fold over top sew zigzag to close

IF 12 x 24 then mark halfway point on the long, fill 1/3 to that mark, zigzag the half mark, fill 1/3 of the second half and close as above.

I like the 12 x 24 as I can put it under and over my feet at the same time.