Heated Cuddle Buddy

This is Toast, and he's not just a cute cuddly face. Pop him in the microwave and then between the sheets for a warm start to any cold night. He'd make a great gift for children and can also be used on aches and pains. 

He's also super easy to make!!



P.S. Thanks to everyone who voted for me in the Sew Warm contest!
~Toast

Step 1 Materials

For fabrics, Fleece, Flannel, or Cotton are best. Try to stay away from synthetics as they do have a tendency to melt. If you’re not sure about the fabric you have, cut off a small piece and do a microwave check. Everything going into this project should be able to withstand at least 2.5 minutes in the microwave without any ill effects such as melting, sparking, exploding, or fuming. This means no metallics!! No metallic thread or buttons or pieces of any sort. You don’t want anything that could explode your microwave or get hot enough to burn you. Remember you want this little guy to be a soft companion for cold winter nights, so make him cuddly and safe as well as cute!

For filling, you can use any sort of grain, such as wheat, oats, or rice. If you use oats, your fleecy friend will smell perpetually of oatmeal. Beans work as well but be careful not to get your buddy wet or he may go to seed.
If I wanted to get super scientific I could do microwave tests to find out the most efficient filling, but unfortunately for you, I’m lazy. I used rice because it’s cheap, easy, and I had heaps of it laying around my house. I’ve always hated oatmeal anyhow. 

If your fabric is fuzzy or heavily patterned, you will want some felt to make a background for your face. If you use material that isn't fuzzy, you can skip the felt and embroider your facial features strait onto the fabric. 

I used several pairs of scissors, but you can get away with one sharp pair if you're not picky about how long they stay sharp.
 
If necessary, you can replace the sewing machine with a good supply of patience and hand-sewing.

 

Comments

[neggiem01]

Looks lovely, one naive question. Does the rice not cook slightly and then go mouldy?
Neggie

[Eccentricat]

Nope. It's fine so long as you avoid getting it wet. If you accidentally wash it (yes, I have done this before, it can happen) or drop it in a puddle or sink, you might want to replace the rice. Perhaps I shall put in an addendum: What To Do If You Muck Up the Rice. :P

[My Name is Benis]

http://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/productdetail.asp?productcatalogue=272678 Would this material do for making this without it melting, etc.? It's the closest thing I've been able to find I'm planning on only using this, and nothing else for the outside, although your instructions seem to use two differing materials.

[Eccentricat]

I used two materials because I wanted to show how you treat fuzzy fabric as well as not so fuzzy fabric. The not so fuzzy shows the stitching better and you can put a face right on the fabric, whereas the fuzzy fabric disguises stitching and needs a felt face for embroidery. That felt looks like it would be fine for the face, but it wouldn't make for a very cuddly body. I suggest fleece or some other soft fabric for the body. With anything that you decide to use, just try a piece of it in the microwave before you cut out the pattern.

[djinn]

I have a bad back, but also love fried eggs! The perfect way to wed these two concerns, thanks!

[imrobot]

neato! he's like my domo-kun!

[ChrysN]

Super cute, I love all the different patterns.

[Archergal52]

Cute!  I love the embroidered face on the yellow side! :)