Microwave Cozies
What IS a microwave cozie? A cozie is a filled cloth bag that you can
heat in the microwave and use to keep you warm and cozy! They are
excellent for heating sore muscles, acting as bed warmers at night, and
keeping your toes warm while you read a good book on the couch. They
make fantastic and inexpensive gifts! I’ve seen them selling at fairs
for $15 each but they can be made for about $1 per bag if you use
inexpensive fabric.
Fabric-
You can use any 100% cotton fabric that has NO METAL THREADS! Do NOT use
any metallic fabrics. Yes, it’s important enough to repeat! These need
to go in the microwave and you know how microwaves and metal are. The
same applies to polyesters and any other fabrics. 100% cotton only.
More tips about the fabric you choose: If you are actually going to buy
fabric, go for the least expensive cottons you can get. I hit the big
box store for their $1 and $2 per yard stuff (apologies to my hometown
quilt shop) when I’m making them for gifts. If you have a fabric stash,
don’t use your $12.99/yard batiks unless you really want to. Personally,
I save my good stuff for my quilts. Use what you have! If you have an
old flannel shirt with worn elbows, then use that! Old flannel sheets,
the legs off a pair of old flannel pajama bottoms? Use your imagination.
Filler-
I use what is called recleaned corn. I’ve also heard it called denatured
corn (go to the feed shop and tell them what you’re doing and they’ll
smirk but be happy to help you). Basically, it’s corn that has been
dried so much that it won’t pop in the microwave. Normal corn will! 50
pounds cost me about $10.50. Trust me it will make LOTS of bags! The
bags do come smaller, but cost almost as much, so even if you make fifty
bags and end up feeding some to the local squirrels, it’s still cheaper.
I have friends who have also used uncooked rice with great success. I
don’t know about cost, but if you live in the city, rice might be more
easily obtained than cow corn.
Construction:
You’ll need to have two squares of fabric the same size. I like mine to
be at least 9” finished (so cut 9 ½” to give yourself a seam allowance)
if you can make a bit bigger, then great, but I don’t do smaller. Simply
place the wrong sides of the fabric together and sew about a ½” in, all
around and leave at least a 2” opening to turn your bag right side out
and so you can fill your bag. Fill your bag so that there is room inside
for the filler to able to move around (like if you want to mold it over
a sore knee). An overfilled bag doesn’t feel good. Once it’s filled to
your satisfaction, sew up the opening! NOTE: I would NOT recommend using
fabric glues or tapes when making these. They have to go into the
microwave and I honestly don’t know if those would do well once they
heat up.
How long to microwave? The fillers can burn (both the skin if too hot
and itself), so opt for less time versus more and microwaves vary as far
as power so I’d recommend starting with a minute but NEVER heating for
more than 3 minutes. ENJOY!!!
Tammy Paquin is a work from home mom of
3 boys and the publisher of
www.frugal-families.com, an online resource for frugality, budgeting
and all things related to helping everyone stretch those hard-earned
dollars.
This article can be used in your website with my bio intact with an
active link back to Frugal-Families. Thank you.
