Make a Rice Sock!

Figured I'd post this to give somebody some creative inspiration! Plus, If I ever forget how to make it, I can use my blog as reference :)

[These "Mini" socks are my boys'. Since winter has come to our house, and we use a wood stove, sometimes we are all in need of some extra warmth ;) The boys ADORE their own little rice socks, and play with them even when they aren't warmed up! (GREAT bean bag toys)]

~RICE SOCKS~

Invented By: Susan Mayfield (My mommy)
(This one is my own rice sock, made by my mommy when I was a teenager. It'd definitely gotten plenty of loving use. Thanks mama!)

Pattern:
Depending on the size of rice sock you want, you can use various household items to help you create a good pattern.
For a childs rice sock, use a piece of paper! (8 1/2" x 11")
For an adults rice sock, use a large rectangular book (9" x 15" about??)

Materials:
1) You will need flour sack material or another basic plain but sturdy cloth. This will make the main "sock" that your rice will be permanently enclosed in, and will not ever get washed.
2) You will need a pretty/cute/plush/masculine material, depending on who the sock is for.
3) You will need a strip of ribbon or other tie (crochet a chain of yarn if you like..) to feed into the opening of your rice sock cover.
4) Matching thread
5) Rice
6) Favorite fragrance/scented oil

Cutting:
1) Lay out your cover material on your flour sack/inner material, and place the pattern on top of this. Pin if you like, or just be careful to cut out both layers together and evenly.
2) Cut your ribbon about 12" long

Sewing Inner:

1) Fold your inner material lengthwise, lining up the edges (it should look like a LONG rectangle)
2) Start at one end, and sew going AWAY from the folded edge, and continue sewing along the long edge. Seam allowance shouldn't matter as long as you are consistent with the inner AND the cover. Backstitch, leaving one end of the rectangle open (this is where you will pour the rice in).
3) Fill 2/3 the way up, with rice...I would estimate each adult sock would take 4-5 cups of rice? Drop in a couple drops of the scented essential oil. Shake up pretty well, making sure the oil gets evenly distributed on the rice grains.
4) Tie with a rubber band, to keep rice from floating toward the open end, then line up the edges, of the opening and sew shut (you can fold the edges in, and sew for a nice clean-cut look).
5) Above all, DON'T LEAVE ANY GAPS OR HOLES that rice could sneak through :)

Sewing Cover:

1) With the 'inside' of the cover material facing up, fold over shorter edge of your cover material about 1", and sew down. This will create the place for your ribbon/yarn to feed through for the sock covers closure.
2) Fold your cover material lengthwise, lining up the edges, and making sure the plush side/patterned side, is on the "inside", if that makes sense. Again, your material should look like a long rectangle, with the sewn-down edge on one end.
3) Start at the OPPOSITE end of the sewn-down edge, and sew short end, then continue down lengthwise edge, stopping and backstitching BEFORE you come to the sewn-down edge...you DON'T want to sew up the holes for the ribbon to feed through! ;)
4) Turn cover right-side-out. Use frey check or clear nail polish on the edges of your little "ribbon tube" so it won't frey.

(example of the opening)

To Complete:

1) Feed your ribbon thrugh the ribbon tube edge.
2) Drop rice sock into your cover.
3) Cinch your sock tightly closed with the cover's ribbon, and tie sweetly in a bow, and double knot if you wish.
4) Microwave for 2 minutes on High, and........Voila! Finis! Enjoy :)