Quick Gift – Hot/Cold Neck Wrap Tutorial

This project was requested by our niece back in September, and I finally got it done on Saturday. The neck wrap took less than an hour to make once it actually became the focus. We visited a Fall Harvest gathering with our littles and a few adults tagged along, too. It was a warm (read HOT) Saturday that had us looking for shade as soon as we parked the car. On the way, we hoofed it through the craft tent. One vendor had a craft table of football-themed zipper bags and wraps. The wraps could be used as hot or cold therapy relief for tired muscles. Hmm, I said

Wrap Research on Google

I’ve used several varieties of therapy wrap for years. Sometimes they are scented, sometimes they are long and skinny while others are short and squat. We could virtually make our wrap any size and dimension that was desired. But what does one fill it with?? Rice. It turns out that rice, any variety, is the ticket. Long grain, wild, plain white – whatever. It can be heated in the microwave or chilled in the freezer. Who knew? Google, my friend, gave me all the details on how to use rice for a wrap.

Wrap Supplies We Used

  • Fabric cut to the desired size (I eyeballed it)
  • UNCOOKED Rice – 3# pound bag from Aldi’s
  • Funnel (with a big enough tube to allow the rice to drop through)
  • Pins

That’s it! Well, of course, your sewing machine, too. A friend to help you fill the wrap is very helpful, too! Thankfully, Sue was puttering about and was happy to stop and lend a hand. We escaped the horror of the game called 5-million rice pick up on the floor, thankfully. The funnel I chose had a narrow tube which was not very friendly to use. We ended up skipping the funnel only because I didn’t want to hunt for a bigger one.

Hot or Cold Wrap First Steps

First, I had to select a fabric. This cute, soft flannel fabric has been in our stash for a while. This last-minute hot/cold wrap is for a guy and his two-year-old son, so paw prints it is. After fretting over what size to make, I finally just cut off approximately 10″ by width-of-fabric. I eyeballed the width which left enough for the bonus wrap. My mantra was, it’s a rice-filled wrap – who cares what size it is?!! Since I took advantage of the fold, I seamed two sides. After snipping off the corners, I filled it right-side out and gave it a press. (I’m still loving the alpaca mat!)

I decided that this wrap needed some channels to contain the rice instead of it being one big blob. You don’t have to add channels. My piece ended up being approximately 13″ long, so I used my pins to mark the placement of the 3 channel lines. Please note for a giggle – my ruler is named Robert and my seam roller is Richard. It’s always nice to have a few guys around when you need help, right?! The channel lines were started about a half-inch from the top edge, but I wouldn’t bother with that again. *** (See note below)

Hot/Cold Wrap Funnel Fun

It’s time to use the funnel! See how skinny our funnel tube is? Select yours with a wider-mouth tube or skip it as I did, eventually. Sue came and held open the first channel and I cut a diagonal slit just big enough to pour the rice easily. How full should each channel be? I stopped when I could see it, which in retrospect might be too full. It’s just a rice-filled bag – don’t stress over it! We used most of the 3# of rice which is a LOT. It’s a heavy wrap.

Fold over the top edge twice so there are no raw edges, and use the PINS that you thoughtfully brought with you, just in case. *** I couldn’t tuck in the raw edges for a neat look, so I used the folding technique. Again, it’s a rice-filled bag . . . who cares?!! Use coordinating thread and be sure to keep the rice away from the needle! I don’t think my sewing machine would like to sew over rice. Yours either.

That’s a Wrap

HAHAHAHA! Get it?!! Or, in this case, two. Because I already have a ton of scraps to cut up using my new Accuquilt Go! cutter, a smaller version was made. Here’s the big hot/cold wrap with channels. As mentioned, it’s heavy but it will wrap around your neck, heat the ache right out of your should, or form nicely over your whole knee. All done in an hour on a Saturday afternoon.

Here’s the bonus peewee hot/cold wrap whipped up on Sunday morning. Thirty minutes tops, it matches the big wrap and will be perfect for a two-year-old who wants to copy Dada.

This small wrap finished off the leftover rice and allowed me to tuck in the raw edges as I intended on the big wrap. Thanks go to Robert the ruler, and Sue, who helped avoid the rice spillage catastrophe, these will be delivered on Thanksgiving Day. We hope they like them!

Go Wild with a Hot/Cold Wrap

Picking out the perfect fabric for a simple project like this is the most fun, don’t you think? The use of scraps from our stash is fabulous, but even more importantly, these two soft comfy wraps were sewn with love. Just for Dada and Colty. Our friend, Kathleen, hosts a linky party called Tips and Tricks on the 22nd of each month. This tutorial should fit the bill. Another friend, Sandra, also hosts a linky party called DrEAMi (Drop Everything And Make it) on the last Saturday of each month. It seems like this should also qualify since I literally cleared off my table just so I could whip it up. I’ll be sharing our process for making this neck wrap on both linky parties.

♥ ♥ ♥

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17 Responses

  1. MichelleinScotland says:

    Thanks Roseanne. I like how people in the comments have suggested making little ones for hand warmers – I’ll definitely give those a try.

  2. 5-million rice pick up – I lol at that phrase and the mental picture it gave me! I’ve made lots of these of the years, have already been using one since this past month when I can’t seem to warm up after a dog walk. Rice, yep, is the ticket. I like the addition of the channels; mine is one big lump. Thanks for the cute!

  3. Dawn Tornes says:

    What a great idea for a neck wrap! My plan is to use rice in small packets to warm in the microwave and put in coat pockets as hand warmers! Blessings to you!

  4. Carol Andrews says:

    Love the wraps Roseanne. What a great tutorial. I made 2 small ones to heat and put in my pocket as hand warmers now that snow shovelling season has begun.

  5. So nice. I like the design. I use a long narrow tubed one and wrap it around my neck. I lug it around the house with me all winter for extra warmth. I am always cold.

  6. Chrisknits says:

    After a long afternoon of sewing I could use one of those!!! What cute presents for those special guys.

  7. Laura says:

    Love this no stress, easy tutorial, Roseanne! Robert and Richard look pretty handy to have around! My Mom made and gave us some heating pads several years ago. We use them every night in winter to heat up the sheets before we go to bed…so toasty! 🙂

  8. Kathleen McCormick says:

    Thanks for linking up to the tips and tutes party! You are awesome.

  9. Rochelle Summers says:

    Oh, I like those. I’ve made pocket warmers for the kids but this is such a great idea for that sore neck or back or to use as a foot warmer when I climb into bed at night! Thank you.

  10. Great tutorial! My SIL gave me a great one a few years back when we visited them in NC. It was made of Alabama fleece!!

  11. Gail Sheppard says:

    Great wrap!!! I’ve never used rice … just some grain (it was years ago) that I bought at a feed store. Rice will be easier to obtain!
    Thanks for the tutorial!

  12. Wendy says:

    Perfect timing, coming up with this great gift idea! Thanks for the tutorial!

  13. Karla says:

    Hi Roseanne, hope all is well with you! Great idea — I’m need quick gift items for a charity project that I’m donating to, these heat wraps are perfect! I just started blogging again….

  14. Kathleen McCormick says:

    Great tutorial and I look forward to you posting it. I have one that I bought at a craft fair and should make my own…now I know how! Thanks for the shout out, too.

  15. Nanette Chopin Cook says:

    I have a heating pad at the bed, chair and in the studio. I live with them. I do have rice eye pads to keep the oil glands in the eye lids open. I have some rice mittens for when my hands hurt – always works better than a lot of pills! Good post for all! Hugs

  16. Vicki in MN says:

    Well I didn’t know that rice would work as a cold wrap. I have used flax seed in my hot wraps. I am sure Dada and Colty will be thankful for these wraps to warm them up this winter. Robert, Richard and don’t forget Jack-just in case you need him:0

  17. Tracie says:

    I bought two heat wraps that were made with minky, and I love them! I was thinking about buying some as gifts and now I’ll make them instead. Thank you!

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