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Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
30 mins

A heat mask for migraines, congestion and relaxation.
I've always suffered with migraines. At one point my doctor told me to try a heating pad on low over the top half of my face to block out the light, while the heat and weight would help witth the pain. Well, I didn't like how if you layed down the pad would fall off, and the normal rice heat packs did the same. So the heat pack mask was born!

I've found that the heat help with congestion and just helps you relax. So lay back in whatever position you want, since the heat will move with you!

Posted by Audrey-ola from Longmont, Colorado, United States • Published See Audrey-ola's 8 projects »
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  • Step 1

    You will need:

    -Fabric, any kind will do as long as it has a tight weave and isn't polyester. Polyester can and will melt if it gets too hot.

    -a sewing machine and all the necesities that go with it

    -plain dry rice. The long cooking rice works better than the 5 minute stuff.

    -1/2 inch wide elastic for the strap.

  • How to make a heat pack / cold pack. Heat Pack Mask - Step 2
    Step 2

    Draw out the shape of a sleep mask on a piece of paper or cardstock. Add about an inch and a half on all sides. This makes it so you have plenty of room for the rice and seams.

    Size it up on your face. It should come over your forehead and around to your hairline. The length down your nose and cheeks is up to you. I like mine to sit on my cheek bones and the bridge of my nose.

  • How to make a heat pack / cold pack. Heat Pack Mask - Step 3
    Step 3

    Place right sides of the pieces together with the elactic centered on the far edges (red on the image). Stitch from an inch above the elastic around the bottom half of the mask (blue dots on image). Go back and go over the elastic a few more time to make sure it's secure. If you are using a fabric that frays easily, zigzag the egges of the seam you just made.

    Turn right side out.

  • How to make a heat pack / cold pack. Heat Pack Mask - Step 4
    Step 4

    Sew vertical lines to make 5 pocket. (red lines on image) Stop about half an edge from the top to to leave room for closing.

  • How to make a heat pack / cold pack. Heat Pack Mask - Step 5
    Step 5

    WORK ONE POCKET AT A TIME FROM HERE ON! REPEAT THIS STEP AND STEP 6 WITH EACH POCKET.

    Start at one end, fill pocket with rice. On the end pockets, stop when you get to the seam line from step 3. On the middle 3 pockets, stop when you are half an inch from the vertical seams. DON'T PACK IT IN!

  • How to make a heat pack / cold pack. Heat Pack Mask - Step 6
    Step 6

    Fold down each side of the opening towards eachother. Straight stitch across opening, making sure to backstitch the start and end of each pocket. Go back to step 5 and repeat with the next pocket.

    On the 2 ends, start the stitch by overlapping the seam that is already there.

    ALWAYS OVERLAP THE BACKSTITCH FROM THE POCKET BEFORE! I didn't on my first try and that was where the seam broke first.

  • How to make a heat pack / cold pack. Heat Pack Mask - Step 7
    Step 7

    And you are done!

    To heat it up, place it in a microwave with half a cup of water (in a glass/mug) for 30 seconds. Repeat if needed until warm. NEVER MICROWAVE IT FOR MORE THAN A MINUTE AND 30 SECONDS! If you over heat it the rice can smoke and catch fire. Something no one wants! You can also place it in a sealed plastic bag then boil it for 5 minutes or until warm.

    Make sure it isn't too hot, since burns are no fun, then place on your eyes.

    You can also place these in the freezer for a nice cool pack as well. They don't get hard like the gel masks can.

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Comments

Essex Debs
Essex Debs · Bellevue, Washington, US · 32 projects
Thank you so much for this project.Have just made shoulder heat-pad for the teen who is recovering from a torn ligament.The ooh of relief was a treat Happy
Reply
Ms. Nikell
Ms. Nikell · Charlotte, North Carolina, US · 52 projects
This is awesome!!!
Reply
Audrey-ola
Audrey-ola · Longmont, Colorado, US · 8 projects
Kasia, my first one lasted a year before the seams started falling apart. I have a 6x6 inch sectioned pack I made the same way back in 2006 that still works.

Jet, I did know that! I can't believe I forgot to add it.
Reply
Jet H.
Jet H. · Haarlem, North Holland, NL · 108 projects
wooow this is great, i having the same problems and now always using my heating scarfs for to ease the pain, but ... this is much better because it will stay on his place;-D
smart!!!! thank you for sharing this, and.... great tute as well.
i had found out as well to use devided parts , thank you!!!!, i'M sure i will make one myself.
Did you know when you set in the microwave a half cup of water they will stay longer useable.!!!
Perhaps you can add this note in your tute as well. i didn't know that with a bought one and.... after less then 6 month he was not useable anymore.
so this is a smart trick to know i think;-D LOL
Reply
K
K · London, GB · 42 projects
How many times can you use this?
Reply

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