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DIY Rice Heat Pack (or Trivet) Tutorial Using Two Layer Cake Squares

Alanda Craft September 11, 2015 20 Comments This post may contain affiliate links.

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DIY Reusable Heat Pack
In this tutorial, we show you how to create your own rice heating pack or you can use this as a trivet in the kitchen for placing hot saucepans on…the choice is yours.

We made them with just 2 layer cake squares but you can cut two 10″ x 10″ squares of fabric from your stash.  These are so easy to make all you do is simply sew around 3 edges and then sew 6 columns to create the pockets for the rice. Then seal up at the end to hold it all in place.

DIY Reusable Heating Pad

You can fill these with wheat, rice or small pebbles – (we used rice) and then add whatever extras you like. We used cloves and allspice in ours, but you can use lavender or simply mix in a few drops of essential oil into the rice. If you are using them as a heat pack then just heat in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds or until you reach the desired level of heat. The smell is divine.

If you are using it as a trivet, then when you place your teapot or cooking pots on the trivet, the heat from them will impart a beautiful smell in your kitchen.

If you are concerned about the rice spouting or going moldy then you can use wood chips or very small pebbles as the filling.  I haven’t had any problems with using rice, but it’s nice to have alternatives.

This is such a quick and simple project to make and these pot stands/heat packs will make great Christmas presents and stocking fillers.

Watch the video below or scroll down for the step-by-step written instructions

What You Need

  • 2 Layer Cake Squares (or cut two 10″ x 10″ squares of fabric) – And just a reminder not to use fabrics and threads that are likely to melt if you place them in the microwave – thanks to Joy in the comments for this tip.
  • rice or wheat ( you can also use wood chips or very small pebbles).
  • fragrance of your choice, for eg. about 2 -3 heaped teaspoons of cloves, allspice – there is no hard and fast rule to this, it is entirely up to you how much you add;  lavender, essential oils, eucalyptus – again work the oils into the rice and add to suit your sense of smell.

TOOLS USED IN THIS TUTORIAL

You can check the latest prices at Amazon by clicking on the links below:

  • Olfa 24″ x 36″ double-sided healing mat
  • Olfa 60mm rotary cutter
  • Gutermann Sew All thread
  • FriXion Pens
  • Radha Beauty Aromatherapy Top 8 Essential Oils 100% Pure & Therapeutic Grade

Method

Step 1:

  • Fold the tops of each of the layer cake squares over a half inch and press with your iron. This will be the top of the trivet/heat pack.

DIY-reusable-heatpack-2

Step 2:

  • Place the two pieces of fabric right sides together and sew around 3 sides with a half inch seam ensuring you leave the top open.

DIY-reusable-heatpack

Step 3:

  • Trim the corners to reduce the bulk and turn the pouch through so that the right sides are now showing.  Ensure the corners are sharp for a nice crisp finish.

DIY-reusable-heatpack

DIY-reusable-heatpack

Step 4:

  • On one side of the pouch, draw lines that are 1½” wide. You should end up with 6 columns. We used a FriXion pen which can be removed with an iron so ensure you use a removable fabric pen of some sort, NOT a ballpoint pen.

Note:

Lines drawn with a FriXion pen may reappear in very cold temperatures. I live in a cold climate and haven’t had a problem with this, but I just need to make you aware that this can happen. It’s why I wouldn’t use FriXion pens on a show quilt.

DIY-reusable-heatpack

Step 5:

  • Sew along the bottom of the pouch with a top stitch at about 1/8′. This will help reinforce the bottom of the trivet/heat pack.

DIY-reusable-heatpack

Step 6:

  • Sew along each of the lines you drew on the pouch ensuring you do a small back stitch at the top and bottom of each sewing line.

Step 7:

  • Fill each of the columns with your rice mix tapping down every now and then as you fill to ensure the rice is packed in well. Leave at least 1 inch from the top to allow you to sew across. I used a small jug but a small funnel or simply a rolled-up piece of paper will work as well.

We received an excellent tip from Alexis, one of our lovely readers,  –  the way to make a perfect funnel for pouring the rice into the channels is to cut the top 3rd off a standard plastic water bottle. No spills.  I will certainly be giving this a go next time.

DIY-reusable-heatpack

Step 8:

  • Pin the top and sew about 1/8′ from the edge to seal it all in.

DIY-reusable-heatpack

And You Are All Done!

 

 

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Filed Under: Christmas Projects, Quick Projects Tagged With: diy, heat pack, heat pad, rice pack heat pad, trivet

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Judy Green says

    April 29, 2018 at 8:44 am

    Please let me know if the crafts made from your tutorials can be sold at craft fairs. We do a lot of fundraisers at my church. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Alanda says

      April 29, 2018 at 9:43 am

      Yes, you can definitely do that Judy. We don’t have a problem with you selling at craft fairs.

      Reply
  2. Tineke says

    June 5, 2018 at 2:08 pm

    What a great idea to use scraps, even for the wheat bag as the seams can be in the valleys. Thank you xxx

    Reply
    • Alanda says

      June 6, 2018 at 9:28 am

      That’s a good idea Tineke.

      Reply
  3. Joy says

    September 3, 2018 at 12:10 am

    What a fun project! If you choose to microwave these if a heat pack, make sure you use 100% cotton fabric and 100% cotton thread. You don’t want anything to melt or catch fire in the microwave.

    Reply
    • Alanda says

      September 4, 2018 at 9:44 am

      Awesome tip Joy. We have just added it to the post.

      Reply
    • Deb Cavanaugh says

      February 17, 2023 at 12:36 pm

      Being in Wisconsin, these hated bags are wonderful to help warm you up or to warm your toes. Love them

      Reply
  4. Cindy Jones says

    October 2, 2018 at 5:32 am

    Do you use whole or ground spices?

    Reply
    • Alanda says

      October 2, 2018 at 8:48 am

      I generally use whole spices Cindy. I have used ground spices but ground spice tends to seep through the fabric.

      Reply
  5. Sandra says

    June 30, 2019 at 1:08 pm

    no me llega la confirmación de boletín

    Reply
    • Alanda says

      July 1, 2019 at 9:00 am

      I just checked your status and it looks like you have received the confirmation message as you are now subscribed to the newsletter.

      Reply
  6. Donna says

    February 10, 2020 at 6:00 am

    Do you mix the cloves with the rice?

    Reply
    • Alanda Craft says

      February 10, 2020 at 10:37 am

      Yes we did Donna.

      Reply
  7. Donna Bellsmith says

    February 14, 2020 at 1:06 pm

    Hi, thank you for the idea for scented rice bag. I make 7 inch bags filled with small gravel. These are kept in the freezer for those owies that need cold packs. The same size rice bags are to be the alternate warm pack.

    Reply
  8. Dee says

    June 10, 2020 at 11:05 pm

    Thank you
    I am going to make some for Christmas.

    Reply
    • Alanda Craft says

      June 12, 2020 at 8:46 am

      Excellent Dee. They make ideal gifts. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Bonnie says

    May 28, 2021 at 5:12 am

    I was told to toast the rice in the oven for 10 minutes on a low temperature like 325 degrees to prevent rice molding.

    Reply
    • Alanda Craft says

      May 30, 2021 at 9:56 am

      Nice tip Bonnie!

      Reply
  10. Patricia Prosser says

    November 5, 2021 at 12:36 pm

    I have used flax seeds. They seem to work really well and don’t mold as fast as rice does.

    Reply
    • Alanda Craft says

      November 12, 2021 at 11:13 am

      Nice suggestion Patricia. I am going to try this next time we make them.

      Reply

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Welcome to Alanda Craft - We are Wanda & Paula, two friends who love to craft. Our goal is to show you techniques on how to improve your crafting skills. Learn how to use your ScanNCut, your Dream Machine, make quilts and create quick and easy sewing projects! Learn, Create, Enjoy!

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