I know there have been many rice bag discussions here before but I do not remember what type of material is recommended to use in making rice bags. Is there any particular fabric that is better/safer to go in the microwave? Has anyone tried insulating the bags with something like felt in order to hold the heat in longer or would that just make it more difficult to get them hot enough? I find I am increasingly bothered by arthritis and would like to make some rice bag mitts to loosen up the joints in my hands in the mornings.
Thanks for any feedback! I learn a lot reading this group!
Use 100% cotton for the bag itself. I make 'slip-covers', sort of an envelope, to slip the heated rice bag into and that seems to make the heat last longer and feels comfy on bare skin too. Making a rice bag out of any synthetic or blend could possibly melt when you nuke it.
I use 100% cotton terrycloth - wash cloths, hand towels, but the best so far (for me) is older towels - they're nice and soft. I've sewn the open end shut by hand, by machine, and finally, used Velcro. Sharon
Anything that doesn't melt or otherwise misbehave when it gets hot. Pure cotton is the cheapest suitable fabric.
I'd be greatly surprised if an insulator stopped microwaves. Wrap some rice in the insulation you plan to use and microwave it to find out. (I'd test again when making another, even if the new batch of insulation is the same brand as the first one.) Wool batting would probably be easier to find than non-melting felt. I have a plentiful supply of washable wool scraps and would use two or three layers of those.
You should flame-test any materials used in rice bags, even those that don't touch the rice. Hold a sample (with tongs!) near the flame for a while to see how it does when hot, then ignite it to see whether it whooshes, drips, or otherwise misbehaves.
A small bag to clutch when falling asleep is also good.
You'll probably want to wash your gloves once in a while, so baste the opening closed after pouring in the rice. Then you can take out the basting, pour the rice into a sieve (where any dust that has gotten in will fall on through), and wash your mitts. I prefer this method to removable covers because it's easier -- and because I like to inspect the rice once in a while.
Thanks Val - I think I will make the slip-cover for it then I can wash that part. What fabric do you find is good at holding in the heat for the outer bag?
This is my main concern - that misbehaving in the microwave!
OK, I am showing just how little I know about fabrics here..... are you saying that most felt (such as felt squares) would melt in the microwave? I am SURE glad I posted this question here because the last thing I need is a fire (or melted mess) in my microwave!
This does sound nice. I wonder if you could make a full body size rice bag?! OK, I guess that would be too much, but if I could just cover all my joints!
That does sound like a good way to make the bag plus it would be easy to replace the rice if necessary. I am assuming it is OK to use cheap quality rice for this?
"forgottenmuse" wrote in message news:s7idnclaM-SaVq snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com...
These bags don't stay warm for hours on end but they reheat pretty quickly. I wouldn't obsess about 'insulation'. IMPO it's a lost cause and there's no reason for Arctic type insulation.
I use fleece for the slip cover. I have made several pairs of 'mitts' for friends with hurting hands and I'll try to explain to you how I do it. Sometimes not so easy without the visuals. This, I am sure, is not the only method out there but it seems to work well for me and the people I make them for just love them!!
I now use 100% cotton muslin for the bag itself because I got a good deal on a whole bolt of the stuff. I cut a strip of muslin 16 inches wide and 20 inches long. Fold it in half so you have an 8 x 20 strip. Sew up one long side. The seam width is however wide the edge of my presser foot is.Turn it right side out, press. Sew a seam across the center so you have two 8 x10 sections, both ends are still open. Now fold it in LONG thirds and press the folds so you can see the 1/3 divisions. Run a seam down the full length of each 20 inch fold. Now you have 6 pockets. On each half section (about 8x10) fold these into thirds (side to side) and press, DON'T sew them yet! This isn't rocket surgery, you don't have to be exact! Now you will do one 8x10 section at a time. I put 1/4 cup regular ol' rice (not minute or instant) in each of the three 'tubes', shake it down well and stitch across the 8 inch fold line, do the same with the next two sections. When you close the open end give yourself about a 1/2 inch, or so, seam. (It's a rice bag, not a rocket ship!! You don't have to be THAT exact.) Now do the same with the other half. You should have a long bag with 12 little "pillows" of rice. Now put the two end seams together and sew them together. You now have sort of a flat donut you can slip your hands into, the rice won't all slide to the sides or ends and will probably cover over your wrists, too. If your hands are larger or smaller than normal you can adjust the size of the original strip but so far I've found this sizing has worked well for everyone I've done these for.
Now the slip cover. Cut a strip of soft fleece, (I use baby type polar fleece because it feels nice and soft) 18 inches wide and 24 inches long. Fold it in half the long way so it's 9 x 24. I serge the fleece but you can do this just as well with a sewing machine. Sew across the short bottom and up one long side, leave a short end opened. Turn it right side out, no need to press. Now put your hand all the way into the 'bag', slide it inside the rice bag just until it peaks out the other opened end, now fold the fleece back over the outside of the rice bag. You should now have a rice mitt that has fleece inside and out and a comfy pocket for your hand. I have put 3-4 little Velcro tabs on the open end of the fleece just to keep it closed and tidy, and also finished the raw edge with the serger. It still works just as well doing neither.
When you heat the bag make sure you take the fleece covering OFF before putting it in the microwave. Start with 2 minutes and add time from there until it gets to a comfortable temperature. It just depends on the microwave and your personal preference.
I've been using assorted styles of these rice bags for the past ten years and have never had any explode, implode,melt, morph or burst into flames. I've never used anything but plain old cheap rice. I've never emptied a bag to wash it and the bag I use for my ankles is over ten years old and still works just fine! I've also made covers out of flannel and that works well too. Being washable seems to be the main criteria for covers. 100% cotton anything for the rice bag.
I've heard about people using corn, wheat, lentils, barley and all kinds of things for these bags and if that works I'm sure it's just fine. I can get a
10lb bag of rice for $3 so that's what I've been using for years.
Thanks so much for the excellent directions Val! This really helps! I only started back sewing this past year after not sewing for over 20 years. These rice bags have definitely moved up to the top of my list of things to make!
I use 100% cotton for all the bags and rice purchased at the grocery for 2 pounds@$1.00 usually. I make them long and put "handles" on the ends, padded with 100% cotton batting. I made some for my 97-year old aunt almost
5 years ago and she is still using them. The one thing I suggested to her DD, who is her caretaker, is heat them every couple months with a cup of water in the microwave with them. That keeps the rice from getting brittle. Emily
Real felt is wool or fur, and is naturally fire-resistant. It has been a long time since I saw real felt for sale -- the last "craft square" I saw was some kind of synthetic. But I gave up using felt when I first tried to use a synthetic "felt", so I don't know what's available now. When I need felt, I wash a piece of wool fabric in hot water, then iron the life out of it. Better than the real thing, because it doesn't shrink when steam hits it. (Flashback to traumatic experience with a college banner that was just a tad wrinkled . . . ) But too thin for the thimble-case ornaments I used to make.
The cheaper the better. Good edible rice can go rancid -- you want cheap rice with all the good parts polished off.
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