Tag: microwavable

A new pattern and a giveaway…all wrapped in one for the season.

It’s getting cold outside and what would be better to make than something to keep you warm, relax your tired muscles, and make you feel cozy?  A microwavable heat pack made with all natural flax seed and cotton fabrics.

At the end of this tutorial I will be giving away a kit so you can make your very own with the cute organic penguin flannel from Cloud 9 fabrics.

Download the free template here.

1 FQ  main fabric- 100% cotton flannel fabric

1 FQ  lining fabric- 100% cotton woven (muslin or kona)

approximately 12 ounces natural raw whole flax seeds

100% cotton thread (30 wt quilting thread)

Cut 2 main fabric & 2 lining fabric placing template on fold.

Place 1 lining on 1 main fabric piece.  Repeat for second piece.

Place layers with right sides of main fabric together lining up all corners and edges.

Stitch 1/4 inch seam, leaving a 4-5 inch opening at top center of heat pack.

Clip inner corners making sure not to clip threads.

Turn right side out.

Using a stitch length of 3 or 3.5, edge stitch around seam making sure to back stitch at start and end of opening at top.

Mark your top stitching to create the cells for the flax seed to move around.   Keep the stitching at least 1 inch away from the edges of the heat pack.

Stitch along your marked lines securing the stitches at the beginning and end of each line.

Fill the heat pack with flax seed.  I have found that a large smoothie straw helps get the flax seed in the hard to reach areas.  A funnel can be used.  I created a funnel using a paper plate and straw.

Try to fill the heat pack as full as possible moving it around a lot to help the seeds settle into all the corners.  Using pins or clips to hold the opening closed, fold over the raw edge, toward the inside of the opening and stitch the opening closed making sure to back stitch at the beginning and end.

In order to warm, place in microwave and heat in 30 second intervals.  Remove between each interval and move around so no area of the flax seeds get over heated.   It could take 3 to 5 intervals depending on the power of your microwave.

I don’t recommend adding oils or fragrances to the filling since the heat pack will be placed in the microwave.

This heat pack can also be frozen for a cold pack.  Just place in a ziploc bag in the freezer and use as needed.

I am linking up with Giveaway Day at Sew Mama Sew.  Be sure to visit and check out all the other great giveaways!

Now for the giveaway!  Wouldn’t you like to make your very own hot/cold pack?

This kit has enough fabric & flax seed to make two…so you can make one hot and one cold!

I love these packs.  I have 2 in my freezer and one always ready to microwave for my sore achy muscles.  When my muscles are tight they get the hot pack and when they just hurt they get the cold pack.  I love to use my cold pack on my neck when I get headaches!

Leave a comment and tell me what you prefer for your sore muscles….hot, cold, or both. Please be sure to leave an email address so you can be contacted if you win.

Comments will be closed on December 11th at 5pm PST.  A random number will be chosen from the comments and announced on Monday, December 12th at noon PST.  This giveaway is open in the USA only.

***The winner of the giveaway is Cathy C.  Thank you everyone for leaving comments.  Whether you like hot or cold or both, I hope you will make more than one so you can have a hot & cold pack for all those aches & pains.

If you make one of these hot or cold packs from the tutorial be sure to share on social media using the #penguinfeatshotandcold and tag me @penguinfeats