I went to microwave my heat pack a few weeks ago and it smelled. It smelled burnt… A quick Google told me that you have to dispose of them at this point, because heating them is a fire risk. Oh. Bye-bye heat pack, I suppose! This did present me with an opportunity to make myself a new one, so I thought I would share the process, because this is my favourite little heat pack. I first made this style of heat pack many years ago, and I can’t now remember the inspiration, but I love it because it takes only a single fat quarter of fabric! I’ve been holding onto this adorable little fat quarter for years and this is the perfect project for it! Another thing you’ll notice is that I stuff my heat packs with rice, instead of wheat. Most of the time this is just because I always have rice in the house, and it’s equally effective in the heat packs, but also because I prefer the smell of the rice when it’s warm (I always use Jasmine rice) and there’s no little pointy bits that the wheat packs sometimes have.
Materials you’ll need for the DIY Fat Quarter Heat Pack
- Fat quarter of quilting cotton, or 50cmx55cm (18inx22in)
- Scissors
- Fabric marker or chalk
- Thread
- Pins
- Rice, 3 cups
Step 1
Pre-wash and dry your fat quarter, iron if necessary. Fold your fabric into quarters on your cutting surface, and then use your marker to draw a wide quarter circle, making sure the top of your quarter circle is over the folded section of the fat quarter. Now cut that out!
Step 2
Now to the scraps! As my kitty supervisor, Beatrix, is showing you, one of the scraps is large enough to do something with, so I keep those and put them in my scrap collection. The small triangle pieces, that’s what we’re going to make the ties of the heat pack with. Fold them over and lay them on top of each other. Cut off the ends that are less than 2.5cm or 1in in width, and then cut a 2.5cm or 1in strip off the top, as pictured above. Then you end up with two tiny triangles, which aren’t used in this project, and the two strips that will become the ties of the heat pack.
Step 3
Sew along the inner arch of the neck pillow, and the outer arch, but you don’t need to sew where we left the fold in place along the centre of the outer arch. See the picture above. Also, sew your strips into tubes, then turn them out the right way, as well as the heat pack, as pictured above.
Step 4
Turn one of the ends of the heat pack in by 1cm, or .5in, and place one of the ties in the centre of the opening, and pin in place. Then sew the end closed, going back over the tie section a couple of extra times to ensure it’s secure.
Step 5
Now that you have one end sealed off, it’s time to pour in the 3 cups of rice, then sew the other end closed in the same manner as the first.
Step 6
Now take that newly closed heat pack, lay it on a flat surface, and smoosh all the rice so it’s evenly distributed inside the pack. My other kitty supervisor, Betty, inspected my work at this point and gave the go ahead for the next part! It’s time to pin the heat pack into sections so the rice doesn’t clump in one place when you use it. Start by pinning the section at the top of the arch, then pin the outer sections. I find it’s easier to lift the place you want to pin to force the rice out of the way, but you’ll have to keep re-flattening the heat pack and evenly distributing the rice again before pinning the next section. Then take it to the sewing machine and sew along your pinned lines. This whole step is for sure the most finnicky part of the process, but it really makes this heat pack something special!
Step 7
Step back and admire the fantastic fat quarter heat pack you just made! Go you! Heat this baby in the microwave for 1.5 to 2 minutes and it’s a super comforting and helpful heat pack that stays in place! I have neck issues, but I also have degeneration in my shoulders, and the shape of this heat pack is perfect for draping over the shoulder. It’s also great for ankles and lower back issues. You can also add a little dried lavender to the rice before sewing it closed for a little aromatherapy! I hope you have a go at making this heat pack, it’s also a perfect gift as it’s pretty quick and cheap to make but is a special present to receive.
Want to learn more about sewing projects? I got you! Check my list of DIY sewing projects!
Perfect this coming Winter Season!
Sewing your own DIY Heat Pack is a quick and easy do-it-yourself project that offers both comfort and creativity. With just a simple materials (perhaps you already have it in your home), you can craft a personalized and reusable heat pack that’s perfect for soothing aches, relaxing, or staying cozy. Whether you’re making it for yourself and your family, or as a thoughtful gift, this simple sewing project is both practical and fun to create! Do you have a DIY project that you want me to share? Let me know in the comment section!
