DIY Cozy Weighted Warmer with Chamomile

Our daughter is a Daddy's girl until she's not feeling well.  Then she wants hugs and cuddles from her Mom.  No matter how tall she has become, she will always be my pretty little girl.  This tutorial is a gift for her. 

This is an exciting challenge!  Our theme for this month was "soft".  Here are the other lovely bloggers and their projects:

Julie at Sum of their Stories  -  Upcycled Sweater Easter Gift Baskets

Gail at Purple Hues and Me  -  Loopy Yarn Lamb Treat Jar

Christine at Christine's Crafts  -  DIY Hair Towel Wrap

Allyson at Southern Sunflowers  -  No Sew Drop Cloth Bunny Pillow

T'Onna at Sew Crafty Crochet  -  Crochet Tabby Cat

Julie at Treasures Made from Yarn  -  Stash Buster Blanket

Mimi - A Great Name for Grandma  -  DIY Sock Bunnies

And now for my project!  ;-)

DIY Cozy Weighted Warmer

Think of a hand warmer you tuck inside your pocket, but bigger.  Large enough to lay across your lap or rest along your shoulders.  It can be microwaved for a nice, warm hug from Mom wherever our daughter may be.  Chamomile adds a soothing fragrance.

Supplies 

Flannel 12" x 21"  (cut 2)

Coordinating Thread

4 1/2 Cups Brown Rice

2 Bags Chamomile Tea

Today's project begins with a flannel scarf I sewed for myself a few years ago.  It's been washed and dried a couple of times, so it is fluffy and soft.  To me flannel isn't really flannel until after a few trips through the washer and dryer.

 Thankfully, in Arkansas we usually have pretty mild winters and seldom need heavy duty gear for cold weather.  Even though I do love this particular color combination, it's hardly ever chilly enough around here to actually need a flannel scarf.

Pretty fabric, huh?  It happens to be 21 inches wide, so I worked with that, cutting two pieces at 21 inches by 12 inches.

With right sides facing sew three sides.  Trim seams, turn right side out and press.  To create four even pockets, fold fabric in half.  Chalk that center line and stitch, leaving an inch at the top.  Fold outer edge to center line, chalk and then stitch, leaving an inch at the top.

Turn down top edge half an inch.  Press and pin at the lines of stitching.  Top stitch along the edge of three sides, leaving top open.

'Almost finished!  Once the edges were stitched, I realized the two outer compartments are now slightly smaller than the center ones.  After a little experimentation with a sandwich bag, 1 cup of rice was added to each outer pocket and 1- 1/4 cup of rice was placed in each of the center ones.  The chamomile tea was distributed evenly among all four compartments.  

A large funnel minimized mess!   Finish with top stitching the top edge, careful to not spill contents.

Here's the finished DIY Cozy Weighted Warmer with Chamomile!

You might be wondering why our vibrant daughter is needing extra hugs these days.

Here's the part that makes me cry as I type.  My pretty little girl was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She is currently undergoing chemo and will be having surgery soon.  While we are grateful for the lifesaving medicine, side effects are horrible. 

Chills are common for her.  The DIY Cozy Weighted Warmer with Chamomile will help ease those.  Any and all prayers are greatly appreciated.

;-)  -Marci