Smashed Peas and Carrots New Years ReSewLution…

I also love embroidery for adding a personal touch to any project, it is perfect for adding in names or sweet little sayings that are meaningful to the recipient as well as the giver!

To warm up my embroidery skills, I decided to make each of my 3 children (plus one for the new babe who’s gender is yet to be determined!) their very own hot/cold pack personalized with their names just for them! It’s so nice to have something that is your very own when you have multiple siblings, don’t you think? I thought these would be perfect for using as cozy hot packs after they have been outside playing in the cold snowy weather, once they rip off their snowsuits and coats they can sit down and warm themselves up with a sweet little pack of warmth made just for them!

• 2 pieces of fabric (per pack) measuring 7 x 13 inches
• scraps of linen of muslin to fit a shape you wish to embroider
• straight pins
• coordinating thread and sewing machine
• chopstick or other tool for pushing out corners
• iron and ironing board
• embroidery thread and needle
• embroidery hoop
• disappearing ink pen
• dry rice for filling

I cut several pieces of fabric to the measurement of 7 x 13 inches to make a 6 x 12 inch sized hot/cold pack as I thought this was the perfect size hot pack to warm their little bodies on the couch after playing outside. It is also a great size for a hot/cold neck or low back pack for an adult or to act as a tummy soother.

I also used up some scraps of linen and muslin for embroidering, yay for using up scraps!

Then I sewed around each shape using a 1/4 inch seam allowance to keep it in place.

Once I was done embroidering, I place the two pieces of fabric right sides together and sewed around the edges with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. I left a 2-3 inch opening at one end for turning and filling. Make sure you clip the corners before turning and then push out the corners very carefully with a chopstick or a similar pointy tool.

I bought the inexpensive, generic store-brand rice to fill the packs with although you could also use dried barley or flaxseed as well too. You can even add in a few drops of your favorite essential oils to give the packs a soothing or calming scent. On a side note, make sure to keep your packs dry as the grains will get moldy if wet!

When you are done, heat them up in the microwave for 30 seconds-1 minute at a time until they are the perfect temperature to warm up your little ones. Enjoy the coziness this winter!

Thanks for having me today Jess, it was so fun to be here today!

XOXO,