Heated Neck Warmer
We have cold winters here in Michigan. A neck warmer and a hot drink are musts when sitting around the fireplace. This neck warmer is heated by putting it in the microwave oven for a minute or two. It's easy to make, so go ahead and make several neck warmers. Follow the construction steps and you'll have it made in an hour or less. You have to figure out the warm drink on your own.
Supplies
- 7" x 24" piece of flannel fabric
- a sewing machine
- matching thread
- pins and scissors
- 3 cups of rice
- 1/2 cup measuring cup
- one 1-liter plastic bottle or a funnel
Make a Funnel (if You Don't Have One Available)
- measure 4" from the top of the bottle
- pierce the bottle with the scissors
- cut around the bottle to create a funnel
Cut and Pin the Fabric
- cut your fabric to size: 7 inches by 24 inches
- fold the fabric in half length-wise with the right sides together
- pin the long edge in about 4" intervals
- pin one of the short edges together
Sew the Neck Warmer to Create a Tube
- sew 1/4" along the long edge
- be sure to back stitch at each corner
- continue sewing the short edge
- now you have the basic tube of the neck warmer
Prepare the Tube for Rice
- turn the tube inside out so the seam is inside the tube
- measure 4" from the sewn end of the tube
- mark this point with a pin on the edge
Fill the Tube With Rice
- insert a funnel or your homemade funnel into the open end of the tube
- fill a 1/2 cup with rice
- pour the rice into the tube
- move the pin to the center of the tube to keep the rice at the end of the tube
Sew the First Pocket of the Tube
- sew across the tube to create a pocket of rice
- be sure to back stitch at both edges
- you now have enclosed one 4" pocket of rice in the tube
Repeat Steps 4 Through 6 for Each Additional Pocket
- each time you do steps 4-6 you will create an additional pocket of rice.
- continue until you have completed rice fulled pockets the full length of the tube
Close Off the Final Tube End
- roll the open edge of the tube inside
- pin it as you go
- press the pinned edges together to close the tube
- move the pins to secure it closed
- sew as close to the edge as your machine will allow (about every 1/8")
- back stitch the edges
- repeat this step to be sure the end is secure
To Use
- place the neck warmer in a microwave oven
- set the time for one minute
- after the neck warmer is finished heating, test it to make sure it's not too hot. Use caution!!! Please do not overheat. You could burn your skin
- reheat the neck warmer for a longer time if you want it hotter
- wrap the neck warmer around your neck and relax