spa rice pillows

Spa rice pillows are a perfect little gift!  Heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes to soothe achy muscles or to warm toes and fingers on a chilly winter day... Store one in the freezer for bumps, burns and injuries... Or simply place over your eyes to enjoy a relaxing yoga nap!    

Materials:  Makes about 6 pillows ♥

• 1/4 yd Radiance (a silk/cotton blend) in Taupe, Chartreuse, Slate
• 1/2 yd Muslin
• 1-2 c. Rice per pillow
• a few drop of Essential Oil (optional)

Cutting & Prep:

• Muslin: cut two each 6"x9" (large) or 5.5"x8" (small)
• Radiance: strips 2" to 3"x9" (large) or 2" to 3"x8" (small).  About 3-5 strips needed per pillow.
• Mix essential oil with rice. (Use sparingly as heat activates the scent!)

Stitch strips, one at a time, to muslin.  Use both the front (shiny) and back (matte) of the Radiance as your "right side up" for added beauty.  Use a (roughly) 3/8" seam allowance for all seams.

• Beginning at one long edge of the muslin, place a strip right side up and a second strip right side down on top of it.  Along the edge of the strips that is closest to the middle of the muslin, stitching one seam through all three layers.
• Fold the second strip open and finger-press the seam.  Place a third strip right side down on top of the un-sewn edge of the second strip and stitch.  
• Fold the third strip open, finger-press and repeat with additional strips until the muslin is covered. 
• Trim extra fabric from edges if needed, and press the entire piece.  
• Repeat with second piece of muslin to make the pillow back.

• Place pillow front and back right sides together, and stitch around, leaving a 3" opening at the middle of one long side.  
• Zig-zag or serge around edge of pillow seam for added strength.
• Clip the corners and turn pillow right side out.  Poke corners with a knitting needle, chopstick or other corner tool until flat and pointy.  
• Lightly press pillows, making a nice crease along opening.  (This helps with  hand-stitching them shut later.)
• Fill pillows with rice: 1 cup (small) to 2 cups (large). 
• Hand-stitch the opening shut using a ladder stitch.