How to Sew a DIY Heating Pad for Neck and Shoulders (with Rice)
Our DIY heated neck warmer made with rice is not only easy to sew, it is inexpensive to make, as well.
This homemade heat wrap is made with our free neck wrap sewing pattern. It is large enough to wrap around your neck and over the shoulders.
Use rice to make the microwaveable wrap. If you would like an aromatherapy neck wrap, you can use dried lavender as we did.
This is an easy sewing project that beginners can do, however it look a lot more complicated than it is!
This homemade heating pad is not only useful for you and your family, it also makes an excellent gift, too!
Sew a neck wrap for these types of gifts:
- Mother’s Day
- Father’s Day
- Christmas
- Birthday
- Get Well Soon
- Baby Shower
- New Mom Gift
- Gift for someone in the hospital, going through chemotherapy or facing illness
This would be an especially thoughtful gift paired with our DIY double sided minky blanket or DIY lavender eye pillow.
While we used both rice and lavender to make an aromatherapy neck heating wrap, you can leave out the lavender. Just add in another cup of rice to replace the lavender.
VERY IMPORTANT: If you are making this wrap to be microwaved, you MUST only use 100% cotton fabric and thread. Cotton will not melt in the microwave but polyester and other types of materials can.
How to Sew a Heated Wrap for Neck and Shoulders
We made this neck wrap in less than an hour for a cost of about $5.
Supplies
- Free Neck Wrap Sewing Patterns
- ½ yard of 100% cotton fabric
- 2 ½ cups long grain rice (not instant rice)
- 1 cup dried lavender buds (optional)
- Sewing Machine
- Thread in matching color (MUST be 100% cotton)
- Fabric marking pen
- Sewing pins or clips
- Scissors
- Turning tool
- Ruler
- Funnel
Instructions
Step 1
Download, print and cut out the two PDF neck wrap sewing patterns.
Tape them together as shown.
Place the one large neck wrap pattern on your fabric. If you have patterned fabric, such as plaid or stripes, you will need to pay close attention to the directional pattern of your fabric when laying out the pattern pieces.
Cut two pieces of fabric with the pattern.
Step 2
With right sides of the fabric together, pin or clip the pieces.
Step 3
Using a 1/2″ seam allowance, sew all the way around, leaving open a 3.5” gap for turning.
Step 4
Cut off the corners at an angle and then clip the curves by cutting out small notches along the curved seams. Be careful not to cut the stitching!
Step 5
Using a turning tool, turn the diy neck wrap right side out and push out the corners.
Press with a warm iron to get rid of wrinkles and make the seams crisp.
Step 6
Using a ruler and a fabric marker, make 6 vertical lines, evenly spaced apart, on top of the neck warmer.
See the photo below for the placement that I used.
Step 7
Mix the rice and lavender together in a bowl.
Using a funnel, fill the first section about 3/4 full with the rice and lavender.
Step 8
Pin just to the right of the line, keeping the filling out of the way.
Using your sewing machine, sew a straight stitch along the first line. Be sure to sew all the way to the edges and reinforce at the beginning and end with backstitching.
Step 9
Repeat this process until all sections are full.
I used sewing clips to keep the opening closed, preventing the filling to come out, until I was ready to sew it shut.
Step 10
Using a ¼” seam allowance, either use your machine or hand sew the opening closed.
If you are hand sewing, make sure the opening is closed very securely and tightly so the filling will not come out during use.
How to Use This Microwaveable Neck and Shoulder Wrap
To use, place the wrap in the microwave for 45-60 seconds. Re-heat as needed.
For a moist heat, spritz with water before placing in the microwave.
Pin This project to save for later and to share with friends!
Our homemade heated neck wrap is just one of our easy sewing projects that make a great gift! See these ideas next:
