Tuestorial- Heating Pad

This time of year is all about making or buying for others so today’s Tuestorial will be all about you! While prepping for craft fairs hunched over at your table or at outdoor craft fairs in the cold, this DIY heating pad will come in handy.

You can use fabric scraps laying around (can make it quilt-style) or FabMo finds for this easy sewing project. It’s useful for aches and pains, or just to warm up your toes. Enjoy! 

Materials Needed:

• ½ pound of whole buckwheat (easier to find and less likely to burn in the microwave. It’s also hypoallergenic since it’s actually a fruit, not a grain. Whole Feed Corn is popular too, but harder to find).

• Cotton fabric- dimensions are up to you, but a good standard size is 8.5  inches tall x 12” wide (knitters, you can knit your bag in the dimensions you desire then line with cotton fabric!)
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Funnel or piece of paper to use as funnel
• Essential oil of your choice (optional). I choose to add tea tree oil to my filling since I had this on hand, but lavender or peppermint would be a good choice too!

Chop, chop!

Step 1:

Prep your filling and fabric. If you choose to add an essential oil to the buckwheat, add a few drops in a bowl with the buckwheat and gently mix together. Put to the side to use later. I recommend doing some research if you want to use another filling (like rice or beans). Some can easily explode when microwaved or not retain heat as long.

Cut two pieces of your fabric to your desired dimensions. If you are using 100% cotton, it might be a good idea to double layer or make an insert for the heating pad so it’s thick enough to stay warm and protect you. I used a thicker cotton blend so no insert was needed. 

Left: Sew edges first. Right: Sew lines after turning right side.

Step 2:

Sew your two pieces together (“good” sides facing each other), leaving a few inches on top to add your filling. Turn right side and push corners out.

At this point, you can also sew lines down the bag to help keep the filling in place and distribute the heat more evenly (about 1.5 inches apart). If you do this, be sure to leave an opening at the top of each section to add the filling. I used a bright thread color when doing this since it will show and add an element to the design. 

Filling!

Step 3:

Use your funnell or piece of paper to add your filling. Fill a little more than half-way. You can either use your sewing machine to stitch-up the opening or hand-stitch it. 

Can roll it up too to reach any aches or pains! 

Ready for the heat!

Step 4:

Now it’s ready to use! Heat in microwave for 2-4 minutes (depending on size). It is suggested to put it in the microwave with a glass of water or lightly spray with water before placing it in the microwave. As long as you have your eye on it while it’s warming up, you should be good to go. Always test how hot it is before handling since some areas could get hotter than others (depending on your microwave).

If you search Pinterest, you will see several ideas on how to turn this simple craft into a creative Holiday gift. You can sew it together using fun designs or fabrics, customize the size so it fits around shoulders for a headache solution or knit a fun top design!

You can also put it in the freezer if a cold compression is needed (just put it in a Ziploc freezer bag first!). Enjoy!

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Tuestorials: Fabric Pumpkins

Everyone has their thing, their obsession, their “jam” as I like to say. In terms of crafts, my jam is fabric pumpkins. This (almost) no-sew project gets me in a festive Fall mood and, for the last two years, I’ve hosted craft parties around it to show friends how to make them. My love for them could not be contained within me, it had to be shared. Today, I present my jam and I hope it gets you as excited about Fall as I am!

When the clock strikes midnight, they will turn into a pumpkin!

Materials

• stuffing (can also use many plastic bags)
• scrap fabric in fall colors and patterns (fabric measurements depending on the size you want     your pumpkin. Almost any size well work so use what you got!)
• small scrap fabric, ribbon, glitter, etc. for establishments
• twine or thick string
• scissors
• fabric glue or hot glue gun
• rubber band

Any old fabric about to be turned into Fall magic

Step 1:

For a standard sized pumpkin, take a piece of 10" by 7" fabric and sew the two ends together (do not cut in two separate pieces). It should look like a sleeve when done. In fact, you can use a sleeve of an old sweater or flannel shirt for this project. The possibilities are endless. For a no-sew option, you can glue the two ends together. Wait for glue to dry to proceed to the next step.

Inside Out

Right Side or Pumpkin Bottom!

Step 2:

Turn fabric inside out and tie a rubber band to one end. Turn fabric right side and the bottom will look like the bottom of a pumpkin (one step closer!). Stuff slowly, careful to not undo the rubber band.

Stuffed and ready to be tied together!

Step 3:

Once your pumpkin has taken shape, take the twine and wrap the top, leaving extra material on top. This will create your pumpkin stem. Tie the “stem” a couple of times (to ensure your pumpkin is closed tightly) and loop around the sides of your pumpkin (circle around stem then down one side, then back up again to the stem). This will help form your pumpkin’s shape and look like the seams of a standard pumpkin. Once you are done with the sides, loop around the extra top fabric several more times to finish the stem. Cut and tie off twine.

Bling, Bling

Step 4:

Now for the sparkle and shine! Take your small pieces of scrap fabric and add leaves, stem curls, anything festive to your pumpkin! Any type of fabric glue or a hot glue gun will work.

Ready to party until the Holidays!

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