How To Make A Flax Seed Heating Bag
My husband asked me to make flax seed heating bags for his office staff since he is (as he said) ‘a pain in their neck’! Always the funny guy!
We made flax seed heating bags for everyone in the family a few years ago and they were a big hit and definitely get used!
What Is A Flax Seed Heating Bag?
A flax seed heating bag is a reusable, microwavable bag filled with flax seeds. It provides heat therapy for aches and pains, such as sore necks, shoulders, or backs. It can also be used as a cold pack when stored in the freezer.
Flax Seed Heating Bag Supplies
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- Cotton Fabric – I used to use fleece to make heating bags, but now I make sure to use 100% cotton since these bags are made for the microwave. My preference is 100% cotton flannel with a small design. Large designs and patterns can be challenging to match up and might not look right on such a small project. I have also used the leftovers from cutoff jeans to make flax seed heating bags. Talk about easy!
- Thread – This time around I purchased matching thread but was quickly reminded it is much easier to use a contrasting color so it’s easier to see where you’re sewing! Because you’ll be heating your flax seed bag, in the microwave, I suggest using 100% cotton thread for durability.
- Sewing Machine – I have a Brother sewing machine I purchased at Costco years ago. It is a simple straightforward sewing machine that has seen many projects and keeps working away!
- Scissors – I hide my fabric scissors from the family because we all know if they’re used on paper, they won’t work as well on fabric.
- Fiskars Rotary Cutting Set – This is optional but a rotary cutting set makes cutting perfect lines so easy!
- Flax Seeds – We purchased flax seeds in the bulk section at WinCo! That’s where we found them for the best price. If you don’t have a WinCo nearby, I’m sure other grocery stores with bulk food sections have them. (Add flax seeds to your grocery list printable so you can check prices.)
- Ribbon – I like to fold the flax seed heating bags in half or thirds and then tie a coordinating ribbon around them. No need for additional wrapping! Grosgrain ribbon is my favorite!
- Printable Tags – Your gift recipients may wonder what in the world this bag is for, right? That’s where our awesome Pain In The Neck printable comes in!
Get The Pain In Your Neck Printable Tags Here!
How To Make A Flax Seed Heating Bag
Step 1: Using a Fiskars rotary cutting set or your fabric scissors, cut a 20″ x 12″ piece of fabric. I folded the fabric in half and used my acrylic ruler as a cutting guide. This made it super easy to cut multiple heating bags, fast!
Step 2: Fold the fabric piece, lengthwise, with the good side facing in.
Step 3: Pin the three open sides.
Step 4: Start at the halfway point on one short end, moving away from the fold, and bartack (bartacking is when you sew a few stitches then back up and go forward again to secure the stitching). Use the edge of your presser foot to guide you as you sew. This should create a 1/4″ seam, depending on where your needle is set.
Step 5: Sew to the corner, rotate, and sew along the long edge. Rotate, again, and sew along the final short edge and bartack when you reach the fold to secure your stitching. Keep in mind, that when you rotate your fabric, the needle should be through the fabric to make a nice corner.
Step 6: Clip your corners to avoid bulk, when turning. Be careful not to cut through your stitches. This is where it’s helpful to have a different color of thread, so you can easily see it.
Step 7: Turn your heat bag right side out and use your scissors to push the corners out.
Step 8: Press the long seam of your heating bag so it will lay nicely. Then, fold in your opening to match the hemmed part and press. This will make it easier to sew the end, once you fill your heating bag with flax seeds.
Step 9: Now it’s time to fill your heating bag! I tend to fill the sacks with flax seeds until they are about half full. For this size heating bag, I used 5-1/2 cups of flax seed. The bag weighs 2 pounds. This will give you a good frame of reference on how much flax seed to purchase because it is sold by the pound.
Step 10: Pin the open end and sew.
If you are giving the Flax Seed Heating Bags as a gift, simply fold them in half or thirds, and wrap a coordinating ribbon around them! Then, finish off with a Pain In Your Neck tag!
My husband delivered the heating bag gifts and I’m sure he hammed up the ‘Pain in the Neck’ aspect!
We’ve also made Classroom Door Window Coverings to give to the teachers at his school.
How To Make A Flax Seed Heating Bag
The Flax Seed Heating Bag is a great way to soothe those aching pains and also makes a great gift! Learn How To Make A Flax Seed Heating Bag to use yourself or give as gifts.
Materials
- Cotton Fabric
- 100% Cotton Thread
- Flax Seeds
Tools
- Sewing Machine
- Scissors
- Fiskars Rotary Cutting Set
- Iron
Instructions
- Using the Fiskars rotary cutting set or your fabric scissors, cut a 20" x 12" piece of fabric. I folded the fabric in half and used my acrylic ruler as a cutting guide. This made it super easy to cut multiple heating bags, fast!
- Fold the fabric piece, lengthwise, with the good side in.
- Pin the three open sides.
- Start at the halfway point on one short end, moving away from the fold, and bartack (bartacking is when you sew a few stitches then back up and go forward again to secure the stitching). Use the edge of your presser foot to guide you as you sew. This should create a 1/4" seam, depending on where your needle is set.
- Sew to the corner, rotate, and sew along the long edge. Rotate, again, and sew along the final short edge and bartack when you reach the fold, to secure your stitching.
- Clip your corners to avoid bulk, when turning. Be careful not to cut through your stitches. This is where it's helpful to have a different color thread, so you can see it well.
- Turn your heat bag right side out and use your scissors to push the corners out.
- Press the long seam of your heating bag so it will lay nicely. Then, fold in your opening to match the hemmed part and press. This will make it easier to sew the end, once you fill your heating bag with flax seeds.
- Now it's time to fill! I tend to fill the sacks with flax seed until they are about half full. For this size heating bag, I used 5-1/2 cups flax seed. The bag weighs 2 pounds. This will give you a good frame of reference on how much flax seed to purchase because it is sold by the pound.
- Pin the open end and sew.
- Place your heating bag in the microwave for a short amount of time, to your desired temperature.
Notes
If you are giving the Flax Seed Heating Bag as a gift, simply fold it in half or thirds and wrap a coordinating ribbon around it.
Other Uses For Flax Seed Heating Bags
- Hand Warmers – You can create heating bags in many different sizes to use in different ways. One idea is to make small square heating bags to use as hand warmers when you head out on cold winter days.
- Back Heating Bag – You could also make wider heating bags to use for heating your lower back.
- Foot Warmer – Are your feet always cold? Heat up a flax seed heating bag to place at the foot of the bed and keep your toes warm at night.
- Gifting – Heating bags make excellent Christmas gifts that get used over and over again. You could even add a heating bag to a DIY Care Package For more gift ideas, check out these DIY Gift Ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hi! I’m Bridget!
I create printables and DIYs to help you get organized and celebrate special occasions! It’s my mission to inspire you to get creative and find joy in the everyday!
How high do you fill it before you sew it shut?
Hi Lorelei! I fill the bag a little more than halfway before sewing it shut!
I have never used one of these. What a great idea Bridget! And they’re so pretty. I’ve had bosses who should have given these out daily. I’m sure Steve is a dream to work for in comparison! 🙂
Ooooh, Kay! You gotta make one! They are also great at warming up the bed on a cold winter’s night!