Owl Heat Pack

There is some small part of me that thinks I am crafty. Actually, I will admit that I am actually crafty and have lots of ideas of things to make and do, perhaps it is just the confidence to say that I am competently crafty. But do you know what – I don’t care! I try anyway, whatever I make looks lovingly handmade, because it is, and my girls love it. My idea this week was to make some cute little owl heat packs for the girls now that the weather is getting cooler. I have great little ice packs that get a regular workout and that I should actually make some fresh ones of. And while I could use these as heat packs too I thought that soemthing snuggly and specific would be handy. Let’s face it, heatpacks are great for sore muscles, aches and pains, but also for warming up toes and hands when it gets that bit too cold for comfort. So, I am no expert, but this is how I made my homemade owl heat pack.

1. Raid your material scraps or pull out some old pyjamas that you can cut up. We used a mix of materials and some felt. Just be sure that whatever you use can go in the microwave.

2. Draw a simple owl sketch – either straight onto the back of your material or onto tracing paper.
Do 2 bodies for front and back, 2 wings, a love heart for the tummy or face (depends on how you want to position it), two eyes and a beak.

3. Cut out your pattern, remembering to leave enough for a hem. It is nice to use contrasting materials for different sections of your owl.

4. Sew your tummy, eyes and beak onto the front of your owl. I hand stitched ours but you can use your machine if you want to.

5. Hem or simply rough stitch along your wings to stop it fraying and pin them in place on the front of your owl.

6. Place the back side of the owl right way facing down on top of the front. That sounds confusing but just keep in mind that you will be turning it inside out after you sew it. Sew around the edges, catching the outside edge of the wings in the hem. Don’t forget to stop and leave a small gap for you to turn it inside out (or rather right way in).

7. Make a funnel with a piece of paper and fill your pack with rice through the small opening you left. Don’t over fill it as you want it to be nice and squishy for your kids (or yourself) so it molds to whatever you are putting it on.

8. Slip stitch the small opening closed and you are done.

Cute isn’t it. And so easy, even I can do it, and I had two tiny helpers “helping” me too. I made one today and now I have to make another because sisters like to be the same. Who knows, I might get on a roll and make a couple of adult sized ones for the coming winter or perhaps some heart shaped pocket warmers.

How do you keep warm? Do you love to snuggle up with a heat pack?