Healing Heat... Rice Sock

I had a terrible pain in my neck and arm the other day, i think it may be some sort of pinched nerve, well any way, when i don't get a good nights sleep i end up with some sort or cramp or crick in some place or another, So i reached for the heating pad, that had burned out, it would not come on no matter how hard i frantically pushed the on/off button, so into the trash it went, i scratched my head as to what i could use for some heat relief. Then i remembered my good friend Karen who told me about these rice socks that she makes and uses for her family. Its really as simple as putting plain rice in a sock, and tossing it in the microwave until warm and voila! instant heating pad. But for those who spend their days looking for something crafty to do, here is a pattern and instructions on how to make your own stylish rice sock

cut two rectangle pieces of fabric one being 9"W x 12"L, and one being 9 3/4"W and 13 1/2" long


On the smaller rectangle press the fabric in hale length wise and sew the side and bottom shut. Fill a little less than 3/4 of the way to the top with rice, then fold the top inward to create a fringe free closure, press and sew the rice sack shut



On the larger piece, at the top, fold over and press to create a finished edge.

place right sides together, press and sew side and bottom shut. On both sides of fabric, near top, measure and mark the lenght of desired button hole. use your sewing machine and sew buttonhole on both sides of fabric. fold top over, and mark through buttonholes the placement of the button. attach button.

insert the rice sack into the slip cover, to heat up you new creation, simple place the rice sock, with out the slip cover in the microwave for 2 minutes or until warm, obviously you need to check the temperature before placing on your body, the rice warms quickly so start off with one minute and 30 sec intervals there after until desired warmth is reached. Can be used as an ice pack too! just plop it into the freezer for 30 minutes and apply to area!