Microwave Heating Pad

I love these microwaveable heating pads.  The are great for soothing sore muscles, injuries and cramps, or just for warming up your bed before you go to sleep.  They are really easy and inexpensive to make and make great gifts!

I use polar fleece for one side and cotton on the other side.  The fleece is thicker so that side of the heating pad is not as warm to the touch as the cotton side, which is nice, especially when it just comes out of the microwave and the cotton side might be a bit too hot for a few minutes.  Make sure the fabrics don't have any printed designs on them that have glitter or metallic paint.  I usually buy fabric in the remnants bin for these because you don't need really big pieces.
For this one, I used some pretty blue cotton and tan fleece.  Make sure you wash the fabric first!

One of the great things about these things is that you can make them in any size and shape you want.  I made this one rectangular shaped but you can also make long, thin ones to wrap around your neck.
Cut out one rectangle each of cotton and fleece.

After cutting out a rectangle of cotton and a rectangle of fleece, pin them with right sides together and sew around the edges leaving about 1/4" inch seam allowance.  Make sure you leave an opening of a few inches so you can add the rice afterwards.  Then sew another seam about 1/8" inside the first seam.  Make sure you don't sew the opening though!

Turn your newly sewn bag right side out using the hole you left in the seam.  My friend gave me some cheap rice she had left over that she wasn't going to use to fill this bag.  I've found it is easiest to just put the open side of the bag of rice inside the opening int he fabric and pour the rice in.

Once you have added the rice, sew the opening closed.  I always sew two seams to ensure none of the rice spills out.  And you're done!
Stick it in the microwave for a minute and stay warm!