DIY Heat Pad

If you suffer from aches and pains, a comforting heat pad can provide instant relief. Heat pads are also perfect for soothing weary feet on a cold day, or warming up a baby's crib before bedtime. Heat pads are widely available in stores and online, but they can be expensive. It is fairly simple to make your own heat pad -- or one to give as a thoughtful gift to someone else -- using a few basic supplies.

Things You'll Need

• Patterned cotton material
• White cotton material
• Scissors
• Pins
• Needle
• Sewing thread
• Funnel
• Uncooked rice
• Microwavable plate

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Instructions

• 1

  Cut three rectangles from your patterned cotton material, one measuring 5 inches by 13 inches and two measuring 5 inches by 8 inches each.

• 2

  Turn down a short edge, measuring around 3/8 inch to 1/4 inch, on one of the smaller rectangles. Press it with an iron. Turn down and press the fold again. Do the same with the other small rectangle. Stitch the fold on both small rectangles with thread to create hems.

• 3

  Lay the larger rectangle, right side up, on a flat surface. Place one of the smaller rectangles, right side down, on top of it. Make sure the unfinished short edge is to the left, lined up with one of the short edges of the large rectangle. Pin it in place.

• 4

  Lay the other small rectangle right side down on top of both rectangles, with the unfinished short edge to the right, lined up with the unfinished short side of the large rectangle. Pin in place.

• 5

  Stitch all the way around the pinned rectangles, leaving a 1/4-inch seam. Reinforce the straight stitches with a zigzag stitch to make them more durable. Trim corners and turn the cover right side out. Insert the point of scissors inside to push out the corners. Press with an iron.

• 6

  Cut two rectangles measuring 5 inches by 13 inches from the white cotton material. Place the rectangles together. Sew down one long edge, one short edge and along the other long edge with white thread, leaving a seam of 1/2-inch and leaving one short edge open. Reinforce the straight stitches with zigzag stitches.

• 7

  Insert a funnel into the open end of the white tube. Pour in some uncooked rice, taking care not to overfill the tube. The pad should be soft and pliable enough to mold to your body; too much rice will make it too stiff and hard to do this. Tuck in the edges and sew the tube closed.

• 8

  Insert the rice filled tube into the larger cover.

• 9

  Sprinkle your outer cover with water. Place your finished heat pad on a microwavable plate inside your microwave. Heat it on high for a minute or two.

• 10

  Take your pad out of the microwave and shake it lightly. This will distribute heat through the pad. Apply it to the part of your body that needs relief.