When your kid asks, "Mom, can you please make me [something]..." you generally say YES!
My son asked me to make a microwaveable heating pad for his pregnant wife to help with her back pain and to use when she is in labor. As if I would say no.
I made such a pad several years ago, so I had all the stuff. Mine is on the right. I filled my pad with cherry pits (I kid you not.
You can find them here.) The only slightly tricky part was finding the right fabric. I loved this print (on the left, above.)
I weighed out a pound of cherry pits. Then I cut the fabric 9-1/2" x 18-1/2". I folded over 1/2" on each short side and pressed it down. (Note: the bag should be big enough to allow you to shape the bag to your needs. Don't fill it up tightly. Keep it kinda loose.)
I folded the fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sewed the edges with a 1/2" seam. I folded the open edge down 1/2" (having pressed it that way beforehand meant I didn't have to measure, and I had a nice straight edge.) Then I turned the bag inside out, and pressed it lightly.
I filled the bag with the pits,
pinned it closed...
and sewed it shut. Note I used some pins to keep the pits out of the way while I sewed.
Presto! Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
To use: Microwave the bag for two to three minutes. Keep the bag DRY. It will be hot, but will stay warm about an hour.
These are also good for heating up your bed in the winter, or for keeping buns warm (seriously!)
7 comments:
Never thought to use it in a basket to keep bread warm. Neato!
I never thought about using it for a bread warmer, either! Thanks!
I'm on my second cherry pit pillow (because I accidentally nuked the first one too long, which made the cover smolder, and I could never get the smoky smell to go away...) and swear by them. Back pain, bed warmer, foot warmer - it's the best thing ever!
I have made these before but used rice instead. Do the pits stay warm longer?
Love the tip about using it to keep bread warm! I also have only ever used rice, and I'm curious to know if the pits hold the heat longer. AND Gayle, I was worriedly curious to know how long you need to nuke the bag to make it smolder! Yikes! Do you need to work up to the 2 - 3 minutes Lynne recommends, to test your own microwave, or did you do it for longer! It would be just my luck to set someone's house on fire with one of my gifts! :-P
I have to make one of these. I have something I bought but it doesn't stay warm very long. I also have a Snuggle Safe that will stay warm all night but it is hard and doesn't mold to my back too well. It's great as a bed warmer, though. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1074&cmpid=01cseYY&gclid=CKqXtpyA2M0CFVhbhgodQ-UKAA
You are SO right about that print - it is wonderful! This item is now on my list of things to make . . . thanks!!
I used to have a cherry pit warm bag like that, and it worked great! I wonder what happened to it? Well, now I can make myself a new one! Thanks for tute! And I never thought to use it keep buns warm - great idea!
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