Made a Rice Pack!

Wendy79 · 05-27-2007, 10:54 AM

I made a rice pack last night! It's far from "perfect", but it will WORK perfectly, and that's what matters, right? (It really is an even rectangle; the photo makes it look weird.) http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l1...9/ricepack.jpg I had planned to use some more-interesting fabric, but thought I'd do my first one with this ancient bolt I got from my MIL... well, I ended up really liking it, even though it isn't pretty-pretty. The material is nice and thick and substantial, which means it holds the rice in well and is more comfortable when heated. Also, since it's not too pretty, I won't have as much trouble letting go out of it when it's ready to be tossed (if I keep it for myself, ugh cramps) or when I give it away (if I give this one to a mama).

It was pretty easy to make. I got the idea to sew it in panels from Georganne. At first I didn't really think they were necessary, but now I see how this has such a nice "drape" over the abdomen or back, and the rice doesn't bunch together. Sewing the panels was the hardest part, though... it was hard to keep the rice where it was supposed to be while I was sewing across, and I did break one needle on a grain of rice.

I scented it with dried lemon peel, because the natural-foods store was out of lavender. It smells yummy!

MyDreamDoula · 05-27-2007, 11:01 AM

That looks great! I am anxious to make some packs myself.

naturalcuriosity · 05-27-2007, 11:04 AM

I haven't made one myself, yet. I would love to, but I am not crazy about the smell of the rice when it is heated. I guess that is what the lavender or lemon peel is for though, right?

missilla · 05-27-2007, 11:26 AM

i am having someone make mine. pretty cheap too. i just don't have the time, energy or skill. yours looks great

empowering birth · 05-27-2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturalcuriosity

I haven't made one myself, yet. I would love to, but I am not crazy about the smell of the rice when it is heated. I guess that is what the lavender or lemon peel is for though, right?

I haven't made any yet, but am excited to try. I can't remember who (Sorry!!) but someone suggested using flax seed instead of rice. Apparently, the it retains the heat longer and doesn't smell so bad!! I think I'll try both and see which I prefer. I will definitely make it in panels.

Wendy79 · 05-27-2007, 11:53 AM

I found flaxseed quite cheaply in the bulk section of the natural foods store--it was about $1.29/pound (American dollars). I'm going to do the same as you--make my next one out of flax and see which I like better. Just running my fingers through the flaxseed feels great!

I actually LIKE the smell of hot uncooked rice, but I wonder a little, are people going to walk in while mama's using the rice pack and ask "Hey, who ordered Chinese? Is that Lemon Chicken?"

lia · 05-27-2007, 01:04 PM

Looks great. Panels are a good idea.
I made a quick one at a sudden labour with Dad's old sock and brown rice. Worked a charm. Long rugby socks that fit right across mom's abdomen!!!

Lyndsey · 05-27-2007, 02:18 PM

Very nice! I went to JoAnns on Friday and picked up some pretty fabric and spent most of today sewing rice socks. I've made four so far and I scented on with lavender, yummy! I made them extra long so that mama can wrap it from one side of her belly to the other comfortably.

AussieDoula · 05-27-2007, 04:55 PM

Congratulations on making your first rice pack!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wendy79

Sewing the panels was the hardest part, though... it was hard to keep the rice where it was supposed to be while I was sewing across, and I did break one needle on a grain of rice.

A tip for future rice packs would be not to add all the rice at once if you are sewing panels.

Instead, add a small bit of the rice, the stand the fabric tube on end to shift all the rice to the bottom, then sew across. Repeat until you're to the end.

Wendy79 · 05-27-2007, 05:05 PM

I think that's the way I did it, if I'm understanding you correctly--the rice didn't want to stay DOWN! I'm going to experiment with some different techniques for either sewing or for keeping the rice further away from the needle.

Lyndsey, they sound great! Let's see 'em!

AussieDoula · 05-27-2007, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wendy79

the rice didn't want to stay DOWN!

Yeah, I just hate that unruly rice!

Neshama · 05-27-2007, 05:20 PM

nice! I want to make some soon...

SabbathD · 05-27-2007, 06:22 PM

so, what kind of fabric is everyone using for these? I think I am gonna have to make some! Target had ice packs (the camping type ones) in their dollar bins today, I grabbed a handful of those!

Lyndsey · 05-27-2007, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wendy79

Lyndsey, they sound great! Let's see 'em!

Here ya go! Sorry for the bad pic, my camera is being wonky lately.

Lyndsey · 05-27-2007, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SabbathD

so, what kind of fabric is everyone using for these? I think I am gonna have to make some! Target had ice packs (the camping type ones) in their dollar bins today, I grabbed a handful of those!

I picked up a yard of thin, soft flannel at JoAnns. It worked perfectly!