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When I was a kid, winter beds were warmed with a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel.
This worked okay, but inevitably the towel slipped off during the night and the water would slowly chill. It wasn't unusual to wake in the early morning hours with a cold rubbery slab at your feet—not exactly comforting.
Microwaveable rice bags stay warm and don't slip around. I thought I would make a rice bag that's a tribute to the old-fashioned hot water bottle. It's a simple project that can be done in an hour.
Bonus: if you applique a heart onto the bottle, you can give it as a Valentine to someone you have "warm" feelings for (ouch!—sorry).
This worked okay, but inevitably the towel slipped off during the night and the water would slowly chill. It wasn't unusual to wake in the early morning hours with a cold rubbery slab at your feet—not exactly comforting.
Microwaveable rice bags stay warm and don't slip around. I thought I would make a rice bag that's a tribute to the old-fashioned hot water bottle. It's a simple project that can be done in an hour.
Bonus: if you applique a heart onto the bottle, you can give it as a Valentine to someone you have "warm" feelings for (ouch!—sorry).
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Signing UpStep 1What you need
- pattern files (.pdf files are included below, though they print out smaller than my original)
- red fleece Red Christmas fleece can often be found in the remainder bin in January. I was able to buy less than half a yard for $2.50—this is enough for 3 bottles. Any remnant over 11" will work.
- scrap muslin or other cotton fabric for the inner bag
- paper and cloth scissors—best to keep them separate
- 2 lbs of dried rice or other grain, such as lentils or beans
- something to sew with: needle and thread, or threaded sewing machine
- optional: felt or ribbon for embellishment, lavender or other essence for scent
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Please advise me
The microwave initially brings out a lot of moisture in the rice, so what tends to happen is that it needs less and less time as it dries out. You can extend its life by spritzing it with a little water before microwaving--not much, just enough to lessen the overheating of the rice. I've also heard of people who put a small container of water in the microwave with the rice bag.
One thing you might consider for your dad is making the bag easier to drape. You can do this by changing the shape to a long, thin size (you can even just put rice into a clean tube sock and tie a knot at one end), or by sewing channels down the center insert portion so that the rice stays more evenly distributed.
One question though, we don’t have a microwave oven, do you think it will work with regular oven(without the fleece) if not , is there any other filling options?
Thank you in advance.
I don't think the oven will work in the same way. I'd be afraid of roasting the rice and of having the cotton catch fire, but perhaps someone else has another experience?
We also didn't have a microwave oven until a sick dog needed to be kept warm in her bed, and we used the microwave solely for heating up her rice packs for a long, long time.
I was cleaning out her and her cage-mate Maui's cage yesterday, and I found her emaciated (VERY HUNGRY/STARVING), cold, with shut eyes, an injured foot,Not walking at all, and a very visible spine. I immediately separated her from Maui and put her in a large plastic box with a towel and lots of food at the bottom. I put a heated blanket under the cage, but that didn't seem to do the trick. I was browsing instructables when I saw this. I made it in smaller version, heated it up, and went to bed.(It was about 11:30 by then.) I woke up at 6:30 this morning and expected the worst. I found Gala curled up next to it, fast asleep. I woke her up gently, and she OPENED HER EYES COMPLETELY, which had been a total improvement since the last 7hrs, GOTTEN FATTER, STARTED WALKING PROPERLY, AND WITH A MOSTLY HEALED FOOT. It was a miracle. I fear, that without this, she would have died. I owe you her life!!!!