Warm Hug Neck Bag

Warm Hug Neck Bag

Materials:

12" x 18" leftover quilt top or wholecloth piece of fabric
12" x 16" piece of fusible fleece
braided cord
sewing machine
three cups of raw long-grain rice (don't use fast-cook type) or raw beans

Steps:

1. Center the fleece onto the wrong-side of the fabric and fuse as directed by the manufacturer (figure A).

2. Fold the fleece-lined fabric, right sides together with fleece on the outside and stitch it together along the long edge and across the bottom edge, leaving the top edge open to form the unstuffed bag (figure B).

3. Turn the bag right side out (figure C).

4. Fold the stitched end over approximately one inch and sew it down on the bag to make a casing (figure D). The cord will go through the casing to create a handle.

5. Turn the unstitched end of the bag down and pour in the rice or beans (figure E). Fill the bag up about a third of the way.

6. Fold the unstitched ends of the bag to the inside then fold the end onto the bag approximately one inch to form a casing and stitch closed.

7. To make handles, thread a length of braided cord through the casing at each end of the bag, tying each length in a square knot to secure (figure F). Slide the cord so the knot is hidden inside the casing.

8. To use, heat the warm hug bag in a microwave for 1-1/2 to two minutes. Take care to keep the warm hug bag dry since it's stuffed with raw rice or beans.