(Like a weighted blanket, but warmer!)

Featured Fabrics: The Blank Quilting Corp. Gypsy Flutter by Elsie Ess

Pattern Design by: Amy Simmonds of Stitched by Starlight (@stitchedbystarlight )

Sewn by: Amy Simmonds of Stitched by Starlight (@stitchedbystarlight )

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!  Whether it’s snowy where you are, or if it’s just colder than normal (I remember 60 degrees feeling cold when I lived in Arizona!), feeling cold is a thing that can happen anywhere, at any time! No matter what the temperature is (I won’t judge!), a Rice Blanket will warm you up and have you feeling cozy in no time!

A little backstory about the rice blanket. When I was in high school my parents were Ski Patrollers who spent a lot of time on the slopes and in the snow during the winter months. My mom is a cold person naturally, so after spending a day outdoors in snowy conditions, she was practically frozen by the end of the day. I wanted to make her one of those warming rice things to use while she was up at the lodge, or when she was at home. I had seen how some people would fill an old sock with rice and toss it in the microwave, but I also knew that would be too small and figured there had to be a better way. I was delighted when I realized I could sew a grid and fill individual sections with rice, thus increasing the surface area, with the added bonus that it would be super cute!!  20+ years later, she still has that rice blanket, and it still does a great job warming her up, even on the coldest days. Now that I am once again living in a state with four seasons and winter is Cold, I am making a batch for my own home. I started with 5, one for each person in my family. Last night, my boys warmed theirs up and took them when they went to bed.

Skill Level:  Beginner Friendly

Skills Learned:  Basic Sewing Skills

Finished Size:  17.5” x 17.5” (44.45cm x 44.45cm)

Fabric Requirements:
2-4 Fat Quarters (depending on design you choose) of The Blank Quilting Corp.’s Gypsy Flutter by Esie Ess

Optional:  An 18” x 18 ¼” (45.72cm x 46.3cm6) pieced block may be used for extra cuteness! This will be In Addition to the 2 fat quarters.

5 designs to choose from:

1. (Design pictured above) THIS IS THE DESIGN FEATURED IN THIS TUTORIAL
1 Fat Quarter (for front):  3057-77 Dk. Blue – Patch
1 Fat Quarter (for back):  3056-62 Pistachio - Mini Dragonflies

2. (Design pictured above)
1 Fat Quarter (for piecing):  3049-77 Dk Blue – Dragonflies
1 Fat Quarter (for piecing):  33054-50 Lt. Purple - Marble Texture
Lining*:  3955-White | Eclipse Solids *Not shown in picture
2 Fat Quarters (for back and piecing): 3051-55 Purple - Large Flowers

3. (Design pictured above)
1 Fat Quarter (for piecing): 3052-55 Purple - Tonal Leaves
1 Fat Quarter (for piecing): 3053-77 Dk. Blue - Crescent moons with Dragonflies
Lining*:  3955-White || Eclipse Solids *Not shown in picture
2 Fat Quarters (for back and piecing): 3055-60 Mint - Leaves & Dragonflies

4. (Design pictured above)
1 Fat Quarter (for piecing): 3054-72 Turquoise - Marble Texture
1 Fat Quarter (for piecing): 3048-01 White – Dragonflies
Lining*:  3955-White || Eclipse Solids *Not shown in picture
2 Fat Quarters (for back and piecing): 3047-77 Dk. Blue - Crescent moons with Dragonflies

5. (Design pictured above)
1 Fat Quarter (for front): 3053-77 Dk. Blue - Crescent moons with Dragonflies
1 Fat Quarter (for back): 3056-62 Pistachio - Mini Dragonflies

Additional Supplies & Equipment Needed:
1.5 Pounds of Rice (approximately)
1 Tablespoon Measuring Spoon
Temporary Marking Device, such as chalk
Long Straight Pins
Sewing Clips
Thread
Scissors
Rotary Cutter and Cutting Surface, such as a self-healing mat
Clear Quilters Ruler
Sewing Machine with standard sewing foot (or walking foot)
Iron and Ironing Surface, such as an ironing board or wool pressing mat
Chopstick
Seam Ripper   *With luck you won’t need it*

I highly recommend reading the instructions completely, before starting your project.

NOTE:  a ¼” seam allowance is used at all times, unless otherwise noted.

Step 1:  Gather fabrics and supplies

Step 3:  Pre-wash and iron your fabrics (Optional)

Whether or not you prewash your fabrics won’t necessarily change the outcome of your project, however, I choose to always pre-wash fabrics for 3 reasons. To identify any possible color bleeding, to handle any possible shrinkage ahead of time, and to eliminate the manufacturer’s creases.

Tip:  A Color catcher will help save your fabrics if any bleeding does occur.

Step 4:  Preparing your Fabric:

Cutting:  Using your rotary cutter and clear ruler, cut each fat quarter to 18” x 18 ¼”.

Lining a Pieced Block:  Place the pieced block on top of one of the 18” x 18 ¼” pieces, the block should be right side up.

Use the basting length, stitch 1/8” from the edge along all 4 sides. The reason for lining the pieced block is to ensure all rice remains contained in the event any stitches in the piecing happen to break over time.

I line the back side of my pieced block with white fabric.

Step 5:  Creating the Top Edge

Marking:  Using your pencil, on the wrong side of the fabric, draw a line 1” from the edge of one 18” side. Do this for both fabrics.

Ironing:  Fold the fabric edge to the line, iron to set fold.  Repeat for the second fabric.

Sewing:  Top Stitch ¼” away from the folded edge to secure.  This will now be known as the Top Edge.

Step 6:  Sewing

Sew Inside Out:  Place fabrics right sides together with the Top Edges aligned. Clip or pin sides to secure. Starting on the right side of the Top Edge, sew around the 3 sides with raw edges, stopping when you reach the left side of the Top Edge.

Tip!  Be sure to Backstitch at the starting position, at each corner, and at the finishing position to reinforce these points.

Trimming:  Clip corners, close to the stitching, to reduce bulk.

Step 7:   Turning

Turning:  Turn the rice blanket right side out, use a chopstick to pop corners out. Be gentle, you don’t want to break the stitching. Ironing:  Press the seams on all 3 sides so they are flat and tidy.

Topstitching:  Topstitch along all 3 sides, close to the edge of the seam.   Do not top stitch along the Top Edge.

Step 8:  Sewing Tubes

Marking:  Using chalk and the clear ruler, measure from the edge of the blanket, mark horizontal and vertical lines every 2.5”, in a grid. The Top Edge of the rice blanket does not need to be marked but will be your final horizonal line in the grid.

Sewing:  Line up the front and back Top Edges. Clip in between markings to hold in place as you sew. Starting from the Top Edge, sew along the Vertical lines (perpendicular to the Top Edge) This will create tubes for filling with rice.

Step 9:  Adding Rice

Fill with Rice: Add 1 Tablespoon of rice to each tube. After adding rice to each tube, lift rice blanket by top edge and gently agitate to help rice fall to the bottom of the tubes.

Secure the Rice:  Lay rice blanket on a flat, smooth surface (I lay mine on the clear quilter’s ruler) Use fingers to gently force all rice snugly into the bottom of the tube. Using straight pins, pin close to the rice one right after another for the full width of the blanket.  This will create a barrier that will hold the rice back as you sew.

Sewing:  Sew along the horizonal line.

Repeat Step 9 for all rows except for the last row, which is at the Top Edge.

Step 10:   Finishing

Top Stitching:  After filling the last row with rice, before pinning, line up front and back Top Edges and clip to hold in place. Then add pins as usual. Top stitch along Top Edge of blanket, near the fold.

Step 11:  Warming Your Rice Blanket

Warm with caution! Due to the variations in power produced by microwaves, I cannot specifically say how long to warm your rice blanket. I would start with 1 minute on high and feel the rice blanket’s temperature. If it’s not warm enough, slowly increase the time in 30-60-second increments.

The goal is for it to be quite warm, but NOT hot.

CAUTION:  Rice can emit steam after microwaving and if it’s too hot, burns could be possible.

Handle with care when removing rice blanket from the microwave.

Tip! If your microwave tray has any food debris or grease on it (kids and their popcorn!)  keep your rice blanket clean by microwaving it on a clean plate.

Step 12:  Enjoy your warm and cozy Rice Blanket!

Excellent Places to use your rice blanket:
On your lap while sewing!
While relaxing at home watching a movie or reading a book!
Tuck it in between the sheets of your bed to warm up your feet at bedtime!
In the car!

Washing and Care:
Spot clean with a damp cloth, only.
It is not recommended to use soaps or detergents.
Do not immerse rice blanket in water.
When not in use, keep rice blanket in an airtight container or bag to avoid the rice absorbing excessive moisture from the air.

Happy Sewing!

Fabric Details:

To view the complete The Blank Quilting Corp. Gypsy Flutter by Elsie Ess,  click here.
To find a retailer near you click here.

Learn more about Amy here.