Heat Bag/Spice Trivet Tutorial

I had quite a few requests for instructions on how to make a spice trivet come heat bag over the last week so I thought I’d put together a tutorial for you.

I’ve tried using it for both…..and it works a treat…..talk about multi- skilling purpose!!!

Ok, here we go….

Firstly, cut two pieces of coordinating, cotton fabric 11 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches.

Fold and iron 1/4 inch  towards wrong side of fabric on one end of long side of each piece.

With right sides together, sew both long sides and across bottom using a small stitch for added strength.  Cut corners.

Turn right side out.  I like to press flat here but before I do, I wriggle the fabric between my fingers close to the stitching to ease it flat…..makes ironing a flat seam much easier.

Fold in half lengthwise and iron a sharp crease.

Fold each long edge towards centre crease and iron 2 more sharp creases.

Stitch, using coordinating cotton, along creases to form channels for filling.

Fill channels with rice mixture consisting of 1/2 kg of rice (about 1 lb) mixed with a teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg and ground cloves. You can sometimes find 5kg bags of rice on sale at the supermarket, so you can make it up in bulk in a large container as I have here.   I just increase the amount of spices accordingly. 

If you are using this as a heat bag to ease pains and ailments, you might like to add lavender or some other fragrant herb….just be careful to check whether it is safe to heat up in the microwave first!

You’ll notice I have some tools to help me with this task….a scoop and funnel are essential (I think so anyway!) and a teaspoon (or something with a thin handle) helps with poking down the funnel when it gets jammed up!

Just a hint I found from experience (yes, I did drop LOTS of rice on the floor *yikes*) I like to start in the middle channels as it gives more stability when I’m trying to fill the others, rather than starting with the outside edge ones.

How much to fill???  Well, depending on what you’re using it for….For a spice trivet, I fill it up right to the top and tap it down  till it’s about 1/4 inch from the top.  I pin each channel closed as I finish filling it.  After filling all of them, I almost always find the rice has settled some more and I need to top it up again.

For a heat pack….because it needs to mould to the injury site, I tend to leave about 3/4 inch space so there’s room for the rice to move about a bit more.

Hand stitch the channels closed with coordinating cotton using a ladder stitch.  I find this the best stitch to use as it is virtually invisible and is super strong.  You can find out more about the ladder stitch here.

Tah Dahhhh…….One completed spice trivet, to keep your hot pots from marking your furniture whilst simultaneously filling the room with the lovely scent of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves…...

OR….

a heat bag…..just place in the microwave for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes  (no more or it might burn you…or worse still……catch fire!!!!,….*eek*)

Then place on the offending sore spot and relax with the beautiful spicy scent.   I used mine whilst penning this post as my shoulder is still a bit sore from the accident….certainly helped to  loosen up those tense muscles….and  hubby kept mentioning how nice the room smelt!

And….I have another finish for OPAM (you still have time to join in!!!)  and my Christmas Through the Year gift box!

Hope you like my tutorial…… a simple but wonderful multi-purpose gift idea always comes in handy!

Sugary hugs

xo Wendy :O)