I was asked to make a tutorial on rice bags so here it goes.
They are real easy to make. You can make them any shape you want and fill them with just about any thing. Rice, corn, barley, peas, beans. They just have to be dry goods.

Step One: choose your fabric. I recommend using something that is like a coton. you want to stay with natural fibers and thread. Just to be on the safe side of melting.
Step Two: Choose your size: figure out where you are wanting the bag for and make the measurements accordingly.
Step Thee. Choose and cut out your fabric shape. The simplest shape is a rectangle or square. those I recommend cutting it on the fold. that way one side is already "Stitched together for you". I have done it both ways.
Step four: Stitch together. if making a square or rectangle start at one fold side. if you are sewing a shape or have two peoces of fabric to sew start at the end you are wanted to leave the hole to add the filler in. with the right sides together, do a back stitch to help secure the fabric and hole. then sew all the sides together making sure you leave a gap to turn the bag inside out and a hole for the rice to go into.
Step Five: Turn your fabric inside out through the hole you left.
Step Six: Add your filler. if using rice you can scent the bag with essential oils before you put the rice in. I have used rose and lavender in different bags they make them smell wonderful when they are warm.
step seven: sew up the hole you had left to turn and fill your bag.

I couldn't find the bag that I was going to gut to fill this one so I haven't been able to finish it completely yet. have to find where my daughter has hidden it. Hope that you have fun making your bags and get lots of relief from them. I know that I have.


I almost forgot the most important thing. When you use rice don't use the minute rice or cooked rice. the same with any other item. you want the stuff that takes a lot of water and at least 20 min to cook. Also you want to keep your bags from getting wet. They will mold and be useless if you get them wet. Friend learned this the hard way. hehe. Good luck on your bags.

thanks again for the tutorial!

Thank You.. Do you warm the rice bag?

yes you put them in the microwave. They work great. I figure on one minute for every lbs of rice. The timing also depends on how tight the rice is packed and your microwave. So you just have to test it out.

I used a bag of popcorn in mine. It does not pop, and smells yummy. I use it when I sew in the winter to keep my little tootsies warm. I just put it on the floor next to the pedal so I can warm both feet at the same time. My main problem with doing this is that then Sweet Tater, my Chihuahua sits on my feet and makes me sew too fast. She likes it, too!

Those are also good to put those pellets in that swell up in water and stay cold if you want an ice pack.

I use a long white cotton heavy sock. It molds wherever you need it and I use a small massager,battery operated, in mine,this really helps on those nerve endings. Just be sure to take out before you warm the rice. I got my massager from wally world for about 3.00 dollars 2 years ago.

One question ..when you put essential oils in the rice bags and then when you heat them in the microwave , will the scent of the oils mess up your microwave to where it will make anything heated in it from then on smell like the oils are taste like the oils???

how much rice do you use?

Depending on the size of your bag,you fill it about 2/3thirds full. This allows the rice to warm through. If you use a scent it will not affect your microwave at all. I heat mine 2 minutes,and I have two cups of rice in mine. It may vary with your microwave.

I have also made an outer cover for mine. That way it's easy to clean.

I like to put dried lavender and peppermint leaves in mine. Very relaxing and they do not leave an odor in the microwave and last a long time. I lightly spritz both sides with water before microwaving it.

Here is a wee bit of advice. I store mine in a zip lock bag when not in use. Why, do you ask> Well, we had a little field mice pop in for a visit, and he/she thought the rice in bag was a wonderful treat we had prepared just for him. Never had a mouse in our house before. Zip lock bag works wonderful. Just wait until bag cool before putting away though. There isnothing better when you have been quilting all day for your achey brakey back!

I made some in similar shapes for shoulders and put "channels" in them so they balance. Don't have any pictures...

Thank you! I used feild corn, dried in mine!

Thank-you for the tut. I've been hearing about these but never made one. My friend, Marge, has made small rice pillows and they are really nice.

I've made lots of these bags and what I've learned is that they DO get soiled so I started making a bag out of muslin or ugly fabric that I'll never use (the "what was I thinking?" kind of fabric we all have a piece or two of) and fill THAT bag with the rice or whatever then I make a pretty outside cover with a small zipper so I can remove the outside for laundering but the rice bag stays intact and is not laundered.

so this only makes sense if we do not use a seperate bag for the rice then it cant be laundered ? correct

when did you put the seperate bag in ? the small hole

I make a pillow case and matching rice bag as gifts for everyone. They all seem to like them and if the guys don't want them the gals will always us they :-D

These are great gifts. I make a muslin bag to hold the rice and make a separate removable, washable cover. Two important tips:
1. Use a funnel or some other method to channel the rice into the bag and fill in in a large bowl to catch any spills.
2. DO NOT ALLOW A 2-YEAR-OLD TO HELP YOU FILL THE BAGS! I speak from experience.

Correct!

You make the liner and fill it with rice then make the outside cover and put it around the rice bag and hand sew the neck closure OR you can put a zipper in on the back.

Thanks for the tutorial! Looking at your picture reminded me of the "pillows" you put around your neck when on an airplane or in a vehicle so your head doesn't bob around if you fall asleep. Anyone know what you would fill one of those with?

thank you

Thanks for the microwave info, I just didn't want to run it with scents that might stay in it

Thank you for this Tip :D

Get a bag of fiberfill stuffing and fill the neck pillow with that to the firmness that you want. It will be then be washable.

Thanks Janis!

I would need a giant one for my back. thank you for doing this. God bless. Penny

when my son in law was first being deployed 6 years ago before he left we took a picture of him holding/hugging each of the girls individually then took each picture, printed it on fabric and used it to make each girl a rice bag...that way each night they would warm their bag and climb into bed getting a warm (daddy hug) each night...6 years later, those 3 girls still cherish their rice bags, still take them with them where ever they go...sleep overs, trips, if they are not home to sleep the rice bags are with them. he is still in the Military, but state side at the moment...those (pillows) have meant more to them than anything they own, and Scott has one (made it removeable, like a throw pillow cover-just in case he couldn't take the rice somewhere) with him and all 3 girls on it. it travels the world with him.
i keep one in a ziplock in the freezer, instant cold pack plus the one to heat...every house should have a couple rice bags! :)

ckcowl, what a wonderful story! I'm glad that he got back home safely! And pictures on the bags, or the covers to them is a great idea for little ones who's parents are in the service or away. Thanks for sharing your story.
Janis

I made my husbands out of a hand towel and filled it with Jasmin rice. It smells like pop corn when heated. We've been using it 5-6 years, and it still smells good.

Thanks for the tute. I've made a square one to hug.

Thanks for the tute. I learn so much on this forum. One quick question though... is rice ok to put in the freezer also? I know it is for heating, but would love to make some for when the kids get "owies"

Yes, it can be put in the freezer too. Or for a freezer bag, just get a bag of peas and keep that one bag in the freezer just for 'owies.' You just don't want to get the rice wet.

i keep 2 in the freezer in a ziplock bag...they stay cold for a good 1/2 hour when ever one of us needs an ice pack...and no dripping :thumbup:

Since I live alone, I just keep a bag of rice in the freezer door but never thought of heating it in the microwave. This does sound great for gifts and especially with childrens printed fabric for all my grandchildrens "owies". Since our annual cookout is this week-end think I should whip up some to take with me as we always end up with a few boo-boos. Thanks for a great idea.

thanks for the tutorial!