
Hot/Cold Therapy Sacks
supplies needed:
sewing machine thread
fabric - at least a fat quarter
wheat (You can use rice too)
essential oil - you pick the scent
Step 1: Pick the fabric you like. You can create a pattern using paper for future/multiple use or just measure your piece and cut. I usually cut my fabric to be about 14 x10 inches.
Step 2: Fold your fabric, right sides together so you piece will now measure about 7x10. Sew down 2 sides together leaving one of the short ends open. You can trim your corner or any excess fabric if you want to.
Step 3: Turn your fabric inside out so the right side of the fabric is showing. Give it a quick press with a hot iron to press out your seams and make the fabric looks crisp.
Step 4: Pour your wheat into a large bowl. (this can be purchased in the bulk section of your grocery store for very cheap) Add a few drops of essential oil (optional). This creates a nice aroma as the wheat is heated up. Some of the favorites are lavendar, vanilla, lilac, etc. Stir the wheat to help distribute the oil.
Step 5: Fill your sack with wheat. If you are making a sack this size, I like to use about 3 1/2 cups. Anywhere between 3 -4 cups is a good amount.
Step 6: Turn under the top (open) edge about a 1/2 inch. I just hold both sides of the open edge and turn it under lining up the to seams at the top. It's quick and easy ;)
Step 7: Pin the edge you have just turned under and sew
Step 8: You are finished! You can make these in any size, shape or fabric. They work well for both women and men. I made one using the logo and colors of our local football team for a teachers husband who is a big fan!
Step 9: You can package them any way you like but I always attached a little poem with them.
This little pillow filled with wheat,
Is such a comfort that can’t be beat.
Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes
on HIGH and kiss those aches
and pains goodbye.
Apply it to the troubled spot,
The heat will ease the pain a lot.
Or warm those little toes, so cold.
You'll find this nice to
have and to hold.
Or freeze it for a little while,
And fix that boo-boo up in style.
Instead of a compress made of ice,
Use this pillow of wheat that feels so nice!
These are great for many occasions/holidays to give as gifts. Take a peek HERE at what a fellow blogger/seamstress did from my tutorial.

Thank you!




wonderful. i really loved reading this post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tutorial! I'm doing this for the next set of teacher gifts I need to make. :)
ReplyDeleteFound your tutorial through how does she blog. :) Great! Wonder, does the essential oil leak through the bag? Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteHello Dana - I have never had that happen.
ReplyDeleteI just add a couple of small drop into the wheat - mix it up and then add it to the bag.
I imagine if you added to much that would be problem.
Have fun!
Love this tutorial- made some pretty cute sacks from it! I also posted your link on my blog http://ificould-ificould.blogspot.com/2010/03/therapy-sacks.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Love this idea for Christmas gifts! Thanks for posting such clear directions.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea! My daughter is 10 and she started Punky Monkey Missions and helps raise money for missionaries, adoption funds and the homeless and she's always looking for the next best thing to make and I think this will probably her next project.
ReplyDeleteI love this. I just finished delivering these to all my neighbors for Christmas and they have been a huge hit. Thanks so much for sharing. We will be featuring you over at our blog ziggycrafts.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of fabric did you use? Couldn't some fabrics catch on fire?
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an absolutely awesome idea... Where do you buy wheat from....? Thanks Heaps
ReplyDeleteI love making these I started making them before reading this and never thought to use wheat..not even sure they sell just wheat where I live! Anyway, i make mine a bit longer and sew across every few inches (5 or so) so the rice doesn't pool on either side they work great!
ReplyDeletegreat idea...
Deletewonderful idea...
DeleteLove this Idea!thanks for the tutorial.
ReplyDeletequestion do you know how long the essential oil scent will last?
Lora
Love this idea! I am so going to make myself a few of these (since I always seem to burn them). :)
ReplyDeleteErin
http://fieldguidetoawelllivedlife.blogspot.com/
A local shop sells unmalted wheat for $.99/pound. Do you think that's a good price? I'll keep looking, if not. I just have no idea where to start!
ReplyDeleteI am taking your idea and making teacher (and neighbor) gifts this year - I've bought fat quarters and can get 2 per each "quarter" - so with $10 for the fabric and another $10-12 for some rice, I'll be set with some nice but inexpensive gifts! Thanks for the ideas!
ReplyDeleteThank you Megan for such a great gift giving idea! I made 21 of them this year! I am a teacher and I needed something to make that was fairly inexpensive, but very thoughtful! Let me just say that they were a hit!
ReplyDeleteI also took the poem you did and made it into a pretty printable! I would love for you to check it out if you got the chance!
http://roselandfamily.blogspot.com/2011/12/handmade-with-love.html
Thanks again for the inspiration!
This was so easy and made for awesome gifts. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've made these for years after getting one as a Christmas gift. It came sewed up in half a terry dishcloth and I actually prefer to use those as they are softer and warmer. I have used cloth as well, though, when the occasion calls for it. The nicest thing about the dishcloth is that it's already bumpy and hides the seam to close up the top after being stuffed so you don't have to do any fancy stitching or turning under or anything. I just make sure that the final edge I'll sew is a finished one so nothing frays and then just run the seam right down it. Perfect. This year as a Christmas present for my daughter's college roommate, we made a very fancy cover with some applique and fun edging. So I made the bag in just plain muslin and then slipped it inside the cover. That way, when she has burned the wheat beyond use (It always happens eventually) she can make another bag the same size and slide it right in, without losing all of the fun roommatey stuff.
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! Can't wait to try!
ReplyDeleteThanks saw this on Pinterest! I was looking for a quick craft for my church's upcoming bazaar. This is perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks saw this on Pinterest! I was looking for a quick craft for my church's upcoming bazaar. This is perfect!
ReplyDeleteso the wheat does eventually burn and you can't use it anymore?
ReplyDeleteShonda - I think it just dries out after being reheated over and over and then just sort of burns. But we've only had that happen after a few years.
DeleteI just made this and wanted to say thank you for the tutorial! Love it and I plan on making many more for gifts!
ReplyDeletedoes anyone know how long the heat or cold lasts once its being used? and does wheat hold the heat or cold longer than rice?
ReplyDeleteHi Leslie! I like to heat mine up after 30 mins when I'm really cold :) I don't think one holds it longer than the other.... :)
DeleteHad to pull this one up many years later - family loved them so much, they are asking for more! The size is perfect!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this wonderful tutorial. I cannot wait to make these!!
ReplyDelete