Materials:

1. Fabric. Many tightly woven, sturdy fabrics can be used for this project. The fabric can be as simple as a plain cotton material, or as elegant as a fuzzy microfiber material. You will need a rectangle of approximately 12" x 20".

   Fabric Options:

   • Cotton: (plain, prints, flannels, denims)
   • Alternate ideas: old socks (sew or knot end closed), washclothes, old towels

   You can also choose to make cozy, removable & washable outer pouches. This is especially nice to do when giving as gifts.

   • Fabric Ideas: use old towels, fleece, velour knits, pretty fabric prints and flannels (don’t microwave anything other than cotton fabrics). The softer & fluffier & better!
2. Whole Flax Seeds. Flax seed can be found in some grocery stores, and most health food stores. Flax seed does a wonderful job at retaining heat (or coolness) and provides the warmth (or coolness) for these Heart-Warmers. You will need approximately 2 cups for each Heart-Warmer. You can mix them like use the flaxseed but add enough cocoa hulls for great aroma, thus saving money! Other Filler Options:

   • Uncooked rice (Short grain or Jasmine has a nice aroma)
   • Cocoa Hulls ( Nice Chocolate aroma)
   • Buckwheat hulls
   • Barley
   • Beans
   • Lentils / Split Peas
   • Cherry pits
   • Coffee Beans ( Heavenly when paired with Cinnamon, Vanilla, or Peppermint Oils)
   • Wheat hulls or dried corn or popcorn ( if allergies are not a problem)

    

3. Essential Oils. Add the benefits of the aroma of your favorite essential oils or blends to your Heart-Warmer! Only a couple of drops are needed each time it is used. If you are giving this as a gift, you may wish to include a small vial of your desired essential oil with the Heart-Warmer. 
4. Aroma Pads or Oil Lamp wick. These pads are to hold the essential oils. These pads are tucked into the pocket of the Heart-Warmer after it is warmed to allow the warmth to diffuse the aroma of your chosen essential oil or blend. If you cannot get these pads cut pieces of Oil lamp wick or plug in refill wicks work well to.

   You can also add the following to the above for a soothing fragrant heating pad: Spices, herbs, essential oils.

   • Ideas: lavender, rose petals, ground cloves, nutmeg, ginger, rosemary, cinnamon, peppermint oil, crushed mint
   • If using: Mix herbs, spices and essential oil with choice heating pad filler (such as rice) and let sit in a sealed container for a few days (occasionally stirring). This will help set and distribute the fragrance a bit.

Instructions:

1. Download the patterns for the Heart-Warmer by clicking on this link (the download is a PDF file of approximately 37 KB).
2. Cut out the patterns on the solid lines.
3. Fold your fabric in half so the right sides of the fabric are facing each other. Pin the heart pattern to the doubled fabric and cut around the heart pattern to create two heart shapes from the fabric. Un-pin and set the heart pattern aside.
4. Pin the pocket pattern to a single layer of fabric and cut around the pocket pattern to create one pocket shape from the fabric. Un-pin and set the pocket pattern aside.
5. Starting with the top edge of the pocket, fold the edges of the fabric along the dotted lines (fold the edges so the wrong sides of the fabric are together) and sew the edges down to create a hem around the pocket.
6. Place the pocket so the wrong side of the pocket is against the right side of one of the heart shapes and sew the sides and bottom of the pocket onto the heart shape (do not sew the top edge of the pocket to the heart shape). Sew as close as possible to the edge of the pocket.
7. Pin the two fabric heart shapes together with the right sides together. Carefully sew the two shapes together, allowing approximately 1/4" seam allowance. Leave about 1.5"-2" along one edge open.
8. Trim extra fabric along the curves and corners of the heart.
9. Turn the heart right-side out.
10. Fill the heart with about 2 cups of flax seed (use a bit more or a little less depending on your personal preference).
11. Sew the opening closed using a needle and thread.
12. Trim an Aroma Pad so it fits easily into the pocket of the Heart-Warmer.
13. To use the Heart-Warmer, remove the Aroma Pad from the pocket and heat the Heart-Warmer in a crock-pot until it is warmed through, or heat it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds until warm. Add a couple of drops of your desired essential oil or blend to the Aroma Pad. Place the Aroma Pad back into the pocket of the warmed Heart-Warmer. Place the warm Heart-Warmer on stiff, sore, or tired muscles to help soothe and relax.
14. The Heart-Warmer can also be used as a cool pack. To use the Heart-Warmer as a cool pack, place it in a refrigerator or freezer for 30-60 minutes until cool. This cool pack is great for soothing and relaxing tired eyes and can help with headaches as well.

Extra Ideas

1. Create a gift-basket with a Heart-Warmer, a few small vials of essential oils, and other relaxing aromatic spa gifts.

   Filler Suggestion for headache soothers:

   Rice (or other grain listed above) and a mix of:

   • Dried lavender
   • Marjoram
   • Betony
   • Rose petals
   • Cloves
   • Rosemary

   If You’re In a Pinch:

   If you need a heating pad “now” and don’t have time to sew one, try filling a Ziploc freezer bag (make sure it’s the microwaveable kind) 3/4 full with uncooked rice, seal shut. Heat for a minute or two then wrap in a hand towel and use as needed.

   You can also fill a clean tube sock, tie closed the open end, heat and use as needed.

   See more fun gift ideas!