DIY Network

Make a Heated Pillow

Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza, hosts of Creative Juice tell how to craft your way to a good night's sleep.

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This natural sleeping pillow can be used as a heating pad for sore muscles or as a way to warm your bed on a cold night. The lavender and rosemary ingredients help promote a restful sleep, while the warm rice creates a safe, heated pillow that stays warm for hours.

Sleep pillow feels just right for good night's rest

By Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza

With just three natural ingredients and a little stitch of know-how, you can craft your way to a great nights sleep. This natural sleeping pillow can be used as a heating pad for sore muscles or as a way to warm your bed on a cold night. The lavender and rosemary help promote a restful sleep, while the warm rice creates a safe, heated pillow that stays warm for hours.

This beginner's sewing project makes a wonderful gift for you or a loved one and is suitable for all ages. Snuggle up, get crafty and stay warm.

Materials:

2 pieces 100-percent cotton fabric, each cut to 12 by 13 inches
2 cups uncooked rice (NOT minute-type rice)
2 Tbs. dried lavender
2 Tbs. dried rosemary
sewing pins
iron
sewing machine
matching thread
scissors
large spoon
microwave

Steps:

1. Place the two pieces of right sides together and pin around the edges to secure. Sew the sides and the top of the heating pillow with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Leave the bottom of the pillow open for turning and filling.

2. After sewing, trim the seams close to the stitching line, and trim the corners at an angle to reduce bulk.

3. Turn the pillow right side out. Press the seams flat with an iron. Add a decorative top stitch along the top edge of the pad 1/2-inch from the edge. (You can use get fun and decorative with zigzag or straight stitches.)

4. Mix the rice, lavender and rosemary in a bowl. You should have enough of the rice mixture to fill the pillow very full.

5. Use a large spoon to fill the pillow with the mixture. You can adjust the fill amount based on your preference.

6. Working on the open end, tuck the raw edges inside the pad 3/4-inch, and pin the opening closed. Press in place with an iron, if needed. Using a top stitch, sew the opening closed 1/2-inch from the edge.

7. To use the pillow, place in microwave in one-minute increments, until the desired warmth is reached. Be careful, asd the pillow tends to get hot quickly. Always test the temperature before placing next to the skin, and be sure to shake the rice in the pillow to distribute the warmth evenly. Toss in the bed underneath the covers, or apply to sore muscles for a great night's sleep.

(Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza cohost Creative Juice for the Holidays. For more information log on to www.cathiefilian.com.

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