To be honest, my feet FREEZE at night even with the thermostat set at 69 degrees F. My blood pressure medicine contributes to this effect, I have been told.
So, I decided to make some bed warmers. There is a brand of these that you can purchase, but for less than half the price of one, I was able to make two. I got two thirty-two ounce (2lb.) bags of rice at the dollar store. Cost $2 USD. I used a t-shirt that I purchased to dye that I was unhappy with the results. Actual cost around $3 USD - not counting the dye.
The purchased ones are filled with buckwheat - so if you have buckwheat on hand you can use it. It is lighter in weight than the rice.
Each of these is around 24 inches long - not counting the handle. I used the sleeve hem from one sleeve to make both carry straps. I just rolled the raw edge onto the hem and stitched it down.
These are also excellent for use as a heating pad. I love to put it around my neck when my neck and/or shoulders are feeling a bit stiff.
True confession: The purple one took twice as long to make as the green one. Why? you may be asking. Trying to be fast, I sewed the outside seams and zigzagged them neatly, then I sewed the center seam that makes the channel. Oops - yes, I forgot to turn it prior to sewing the channel seam. Obviously, I had to spend some time bonding with Jack the Seam Ripper. And of course I had back-stitched at each end for strength and durability.
Ideally these should be heated with about half a cup of water sitting in the microwave with them - this maintains the moisture level of the rice and adds to the life of the bed warmer. Otherwise, after several years the rice starts to break down.
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9 comments:
Great idea!!
I have made these with socks. I think you will find that by the time the rice breaks down that they are looking pretty shoddy so I wouldn't bother with the water in the microwave with them. You will want to make new ones by then.
Sorry it's so cold where you are - but your warmers are great!! I agree with Wanda - I have seen these made with socks and rice - and after a while they don't look as nice. But you could probably put them inside another sock - and the outer one could be taken off and washed when needed. Also I had a store-bought one very similar to yours that could be put in the microwave for a warmer or the freezer if you needed an ice pack. They really are nifty little things - ;))
I make rectangle one of polar fleece I had left over from other projects and fill it with FIELD corn like you would get to feed the birds. I then just took it off the cobs if it was on a cob. It retains it's moisture year after just from moisture in the air. I have made them in many different sizes.
Wool socks are the best at keeping feet warm!
What a great idea!!! It's freezing here also!! I've been wrapping my feet up in a fleece blanket!!
I hate those bonding moments but glad they both turned out wonderfully....and so tempting. It has been freezing here too but we are in the high fifties here.
Super idea! I like the shape, more practical than some I've seen.
Great idea Gene. I've had a store bought one for years. It's really nice for pre-warming the bed without all the hassle of a hot water bottle.
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