Comfort Rice Wrap Tutorial

Instructions by Ruth Halley
Copyright: Moorea Richardson Bric-a-bracquilter.blogspot.com
Please ask to post these instructions on you blog,
or easier yet, post a link to this page!

You'll need:
~Sturdy/quality fabric
~100 %Cotton ONLY strapping (the kind for belts)
(polyester will melt in the microwave.)
~Thread to match fabric
~2 Lb. Medium grain rice for each wrap

Instructions: (Click on pictures to enlarge)


1) Cut Fabric to get a 11" x 28" rectangle.
Cut length across grain if possible, but not necessary.
Do not use flimsy fabric. Quality fabric will help it last longer.


2)Fold rectangle in half along long edge- so it will be 5 and 1/2" x 28"
3) Pin so it won't shift and sew a 1/2" seam.
4) Iron oopen the seam, this will give a more finished look.


5) Turn right side out and Iron the seam edge down to one side
so it does not show.
6) Roll the ends in 1" on both sides and iron down.


7) Insert straps 1 and 1/2" into opening, against outer edges
of one side. (straps cut at 13 and 1/2") Pin in place.
8) Top Stitch first row across width & straps at 1/4" from edge,
then second row 1/2" out from that, making sure you catch the
strapping in both top stitches.


9) Divide empty bag in thirds, mark half point with a pin, and the
two other folds with pins.
10) Make a 1 and 1/2" zig-zag stitch across the width at those
three points, going back and forth a few times to get the stitch
very strong. It can be a wide or thin zig-zag. This is to keep
rice somewhat separated, but adjustable.


11) Measure out 2Lb. Rice.


12) I made a homemade funnel out of construction paper to get the
rice in the bag quickly; a traditional funnel's spout is too tiny.


13) Shake the rice down around the zig-zag stitches so you do not
hit any rice grains while top stitching the second strap in.


14) Insert strap 1 and 1/2" against outer edge of each side of
opening, pin straps in place.
8) Top Stitch first row at 1/4" from edge, then second row 1/2" out
from that, making sure you catch the strapping in both top stitches.


Färdiga, Finito! Færdig, Fini! Terminat, Finished!

Instructions to include with your gift:

Comfort Wrap Neck Warmer
Do not wash or get wet.
~Heat on a clean, dry plate in microwave only!
~Do not heat more than 2 minutes
~Place thin towel between warmer & skin.
~Ingredients: 2 lb. white rice
~Enjoy!

Tumbler Update

Here is a mock-up of the tumbler pattern I created, that
unfortunately was a paper template. That does not really work
when you try to cut fabric with it over and over. I ended up
cutting the tumblers out wrong and each point was so obviously
off. You do not want the points to be off with the tumbler. It
is like a big red arrow pointing at the off points shouting
"ALL the points are off!" I'm no perfectionist, but that does
not work for me.



Here is the tumbler pattern I got off of e-bay. It is a great acrylic
template,it was just proportioned differently than what I was
expecting. The pattern I made used a 5" tall tumbler, and this is a
4 1/2" tall tumbler,which is fine, but the bottom on the new one is
WIDER than the one I made, by 1 " and that really spreads it out.
I thought was not not going to like it, but I cut fabric to make
another mock-up and it looks pretty good. It's grown on me!
Somehow it is more elegant, and not so country. It even came with
a 1/2 block template to finish the edges without having to cut
and waste fabric to square it up.

Love, Moorea

All Laid Out And Ready To Sew

I was able to cut out all the fabric for my mom's quilt today!
I have enough to do two quilts. I will stash the other fabric
away to make at a later time. So here it is, all laid out on my
bed. Aren't the jewel tones luscious? I am going to chain sew
them in blocks of four and then sew those blocks together. It
will go together lickety-split. It is the quilting that will take
a while. I am going to use orange thread and quilt it in a pattern
that mimics the everglade leaves. I think I can handle one row a
week, we'll see if I can do more. I hope so - as I have to get the
binding on by Christmas.

My Aunt Carolyn, my mom's sister, told me the colors reminded her
her of the Chihuly Exhibit they both went to see in
San Francisco at the de Young few months ago. Click on the arrows
on the bottom of the site to see the exhibit. His glass work is
visionary. It is hard to believe glass can be blown into such
large forms. My mom raved about the exhibit, so I am sure she
will like the colors and style of this quilt. It looks washed out
in the photo- thanks to my overactive flash.

Love, Moorea

This is a personality analyzer test of my blog from Typelizer.
The strange thing is: it's all true!

ESTP- The Entertainers
The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves.

The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.

~Moorea

I Got To Sew Today!

It was so beautiful and sunny today, that after we got home from
church, and I put the Littles down for their naps, I went directly
to the School Room, pushed all the paperwork & projects aside to
SEW! Yes-SEW! I have not been able to sew since Sept 9th, the day
we started school. I forgot that sewing felt so heavenly.


This is an 8 yd. section of fabric I pulled out of my stash so I could
make Comfort Wraps for my neighbors for Christmas. This will make
way more than I need, but now I am thinking of friends at church
I'd like give one to at Christmas. That will pretty much use it up,
as I cut four out of one yard.


Here they are. I have 11 to make and I finished six today.
I will post directions and a tutorial this week. Not only
are they are so very easy to make, they last for years!
They are filled with 2lb. of rice. It gets microwaved and
put it around the neck- there is nothing like it when you
have the flu!

Love, Moorea

An Invitation

I'm honored to have been invited to post my blog a new quilters
website: Quilt Qua. Check it out!
~Moorea

p.s. I ordered a Tumbler Template off of e-bay. Ooooooh,
I cannot wait to get it!
Update: I got it and I do NOT like it.

New Project

I was reading the latest Better Homes & Gardens Quilts and More,
when I saw this quilt pattern that promises to be the easiest
quilt I will ever make...


I thought about this fantastic "Everglades" fabric I have,
So I jumped in the van and went to Joann's armed with my 40% off
coupon to pick-up a few pieces to round out this collection...


So I can make this very bright lap quilt for my mom for Christmas.
If you knew my mom, you'd know how perfect the colors are for her.
(She does not read this blog unless I remind her, so I am safe! ;0)
I have 28 days, and I am taking Thanksgiving week OFF! We'll see!

Love, Moorea