Relax Anytime! Rice-Filled Shoulder Heating Pad {Sewing Pattern & Tutorial}
Thursday, February 23, 2017Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. All opinions are mine alone. #StopPainNow #CollectiveBias
Sitting and working on a computer for 12+ hours a day has taken its toll over the last 15 years, first as a Graphic Designer (they don't tell you that in college), and now as a Blogger. My hands, shoulders, and upper back are just about constantly in pain. I hate having to take OTC pain medications so often for so long, so when I heard about a natural supplement that can stop pain before it starts, I had to try it out.
I'd also like to share a sewing pattern and tutorial I created just for you guys. If you have as much tension in your shoulders as I do, you might want to give it a go. This rice-filled shoulder heating pad lays right over your shoulders so you can microwave it and relax anytime without being tethered to a power cord.
There is a natural alternative - a daily supplement - that can help stop pain before it even starts. It doesn't just mask pain but gets to the source to stop it. It's also safe, effective, and non-addictive.
Curamin® Stop Pain Now is a safe, effective, non-addictive herbal formula with BCM-95 Curcumin (a powerful anti-inflammatory that's found in Turmeric. If you've ever used Turmeric, you know just how amazing it is.) It also contains Boswellia (another great anti-inflammatory), DLPA (helps support "feel good" endorphins), and Nattokinase (supports blood flow.)
All of these ingredients have been clinically studied and found effective and Curamin® itself has been voted #1 for Pain Relief and has been recognized throughout the natural product industry for pain relief with 28 awards and counting.
I picked up my Curamin® Extra Strength 60 count at Naturally...Herbs, a great natural product shop here in Jackson, TN. It's available online or at fine health food stores nationwide, so check out their store locator to find a retailer near you.
Betty, the owner, was there when I visited and was so knowledgeable and helpful, I really enjoyed talking with her. When I brought up the chronic pain from my job, she immediately recommended Curamin® and was able to tell me exactly how it works, what it could do for my pain, and how to use it. She was an amazing fount of knowledge!
You take 3 a day as a preventative and don't have to worry about pain OR any nasty side-effects. It also works after the onset of pain, so you can take it as needed if that method works best for you. There's a reason it says "Stop pain now!"
One of the things that I, and let's face it, most moms, are really bad at is taking care of ourselves. We need to remember to take the time to hydrate, nourish, and relax. What if you don't have time to relax? I've got you.
This rice-filled heating pad lays across your shoulders and entire upper back, so no matter where your muscles are tightest in that area, it's got you covered.
It fits in a U-shape around your neck and the rice in the "arms" helps it to stay in place while you do what you need to (you could also stick a velcro square on the corners if you need more security.) No more waiting to relax your muscles until you can lay down or hold it in place, you can heat it in the microwave and wear it while you go about your day.
Rice-Filled Shoulder Heating Pad Tutorial
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
Notes: Avoid using metallic thread or a fabric with metallic accents since this will be going into the microwave.
Supplies:
Preparing the pattern:
1. Print all 6 pages of the sewing pattern.
2. Match the crosshairs on each sheet.
3. Tape in place.
4. Cut out the pattern along the outer solid lines.
Trace the pattern and cut your fabric:
1. Lay your two pieces of fabric down, wrong sides together. Lay the pattern on top of the fabric and trace the outline with the fabric marking pen.
2. Without moving the pattern, mark the quilting channels.
3. Remove the pattern and use a ruler to connect both sides of the channel marks, then mark with disappearing ink.
4. Cut the pattern from the fabric.
Sewing and filling:
1. Using the standard machine foot, sew the channels from edge to edge, backstitching at each edge to secure.
2. Sew the top edges at a 5/8" seam allowance (The top of the two "arms" along with the "U".)
3. Fill the 8 short channels in the left "arm" by placing the mouth of the funnel into the channel and filling with a scant tablespoon of the rice, using the funnel to pack it as far down as possible.
4. Use a pin to weave "stitches" into the channel, keeping the rice away from the seam allowance.
5. Once all 8 of those channels are filled, place the zipper foot on your machine with the needle to the left. At around a 2mm stitch length, sew down the entire left side, closing off the 8 rice-filled channels. Continue sewing the seam, pivot, and sew the bottom edge closed at a 5/8" seam allowance, (creating the bottom channel.) You will be left with the rest of the channels open along the right side.
6. Use the funnel to fill the rest of the channels and pin closed. Each short channel will need 1 scant tablespoon while the long channels will need 4 level tablespoons. (When you fill the long channels, don't be tempted to add more rice to completely fill them as they compress!)
7. When all channels are filled and pinned, sew up the last seam.
8. Clip your outer corners off and into your inner corners close to the stitching line. Trim your seam allowance down to half of the width.
Finishing:
1. Start sandwiching your edges with the bias tape, making sure that the wider edge of the tape ends up on the underside. Start in the middle of a long edge, leaving a good-sized tail for finishing the tape, pinning it in place as you go.
2. Miter the outer and inner corners as you pin the tape in place.
a. How to miter an outer corner: When you reach the corner with your tape, stop and open the tape up. With your fingers, hold the tape in place and bend it around the 90° angle of the corner, but also turning it so that the bias tape is on the back side (still in place around the corner) with the fabric on top. Crease the edge with your fingers and bring the fold back over the fabric. This will create a 45° angle in the front (just like gift-wrapping!) Repeat on the back of the tape and pin in place.
b. How to miter an inner corner: It is very similar to mitering an outer corner. When you reach the inner corner, stop and open your tape up. With your fingers, hold the outer edges of the tape tightly in place on the front and back and bend it around the 90° angle of the corner; This will create an excess of bias tape fabric in the corner of the bend; Tuck this underneath the bias tape and you'll have a nice 45° angle. Crease with your fingers and pin in place.
PIN ME:
Do you have chronic pain? Have you tried Curamin®? Will you be making this heating pad? I love to read your comments!
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
Notes: Avoid using metallic thread or a fabric with metallic accents since this will be going into the microwave.
Supplies:
- sewing machine
- zipper foot
- sewing pattern (get it here!)
- clear tape
- scissors
- 2 - 22"x18" pieces of 100% cotton fabric
- 3 yds. double-fold bias tape in a matching color
- matching all-purpose cotton thread
- pins
- ruler
- fabric marking pen (disappearing ink/water-soluble ink or chalk)
- approx. 1 lb. white rice
- a kitchen funnel
- a Tablespoon (measuring)
Preparing the pattern:
1. Print all 6 pages of the sewing pattern.
3. Tape in place.
4. Cut out the pattern along the outer solid lines.
Trace the pattern and cut your fabric:
1. Lay your two pieces of fabric down, wrong sides together. Lay the pattern on top of the fabric and trace the outline with the fabric marking pen.
2. Without moving the pattern, mark the quilting channels.
3. Remove the pattern and use a ruler to connect both sides of the channel marks, then mark with disappearing ink.
4. Cut the pattern from the fabric.
Sewing and filling:
1. Using the standard machine foot, sew the channels from edge to edge, backstitching at each edge to secure.
4. Use a pin to weave "stitches" into the channel, keeping the rice away from the seam allowance.
5. Once all 8 of those channels are filled, place the zipper foot on your machine with the needle to the left. At around a 2mm stitch length, sew down the entire left side, closing off the 8 rice-filled channels. Continue sewing the seam, pivot, and sew the bottom edge closed at a 5/8" seam allowance, (creating the bottom channel.) You will be left with the rest of the channels open along the right side.
7. When all channels are filled and pinned, sew up the last seam.
1. Start sandwiching your edges with the bias tape, making sure that the wider edge of the tape ends up on the underside. Start in the middle of a long edge, leaving a good-sized tail for finishing the tape, pinning it in place as you go.
2. Miter the outer and inner corners as you pin the tape in place.
a. How to miter an outer corner: When you reach the corner with your tape, stop and open the tape up. With your fingers, hold the tape in place and bend it around the 90° angle of the corner, but also turning it so that the bias tape is on the back side (still in place around the corner) with the fabric on top. Crease the edge with your fingers and bring the fold back over the fabric. This will create a 45° angle in the front (just like gift-wrapping!) Repeat on the back of the tape and pin in place.
b. How to miter an inner corner: It is very similar to mitering an outer corner. When you reach the inner corner, stop and open your tape up. With your fingers, hold the outer edges of the tape tightly in place on the front and back and bend it around the 90° angle of the corner; This will create an excess of bias tape fabric in the corner of the bend; Tuck this underneath the bias tape and you'll have a nice 45° angle. Crease with your fingers and pin in place.
3. When you come around back to your starting point, join your bias binding ends (instructions below) or cut your first end short and sandwich your last end over it.
a. How to join bias tape ends: Choose a place in the middle and mark it on your project edge. Lay the left end of the tape down and mark where it hits your mark. Lay the right end down and mark where it hits. Open up each end of the bias tape and match the marks, right sides together, and pin. Sew across the bias tape where marked. Trim and iron the seam open, then re-fold the tape and iron closed. The tape will now be perfectly sized for your project and closed in a loop. Finish pinning the bias tape in place.
4. Using your zipper foot again (for a much easier result!), sew the bias tape in place at a 3mm stitch length, about 1/8" from the inner edge of the tape.
Voila! You're done! Now you'll have a fabulous heating pad that you can use for years to come. Microwave it on high for approximately 3 minutes (depending on your microwave) for long-lasting, gentle heat.
You can overcome chronic pain to live a normal life. Try Curamin® and remember to take care of yourself!
PIN ME:
Do you have chronic pain? Have you tried Curamin®? Will you be making this heating pad? I love to read your comments!
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