Overworked muscles can build stress and develop a lot of pain leaving you feeling very uncomfortable. There are various ways to relief sore muscles and one effective method is use of lavender neck wraps. These products are common in local and online stores but one can make in their homes too. The ingredients are readily available and this gives you a good reason to try preparing yours any time you are in need. Below are simple steps to help with the process.
There are various fabrics you can use for this purpose. Old shirts, towels, wash cloths or socks work nicely. Avoid using materials that contain metallic threads as these can ignite when used in the microwave. A large thick sock is a good choice, since it is already tubular and sewn around the sides.
Use a fabric tape measure to get measurements of your neck. In order to account for the seams, it may be necessary to add 0.5 inches to the measurements. For those not willing to measure, work with a width of 5 inches and length of 20 inches. This is a standard size for most necks.
Choose a proper filling for this wrap. Oatmeal, barley, flax seeds and long-grain white rice are among common choices for home-made heat wrap. When using rice, avoid instant type as it may cook when put in the microwave. The choice of scent plays a major role in aiding relaxation. In this case, essential oils containing lavender could be mixed in a large bowl with other spices where necessary. Keep this for one to two days and make sure to stir regularly so that the scent could distribute evenly.
Use the measurements taken earlier to cut your fabric into the desired size. Make allowance for the seams. Those using a sock or towel need not go through this step. In case of a fabric with both inner and outer sides, cut into rectangles both the cover and lining material. Make the lining about 0.5-inch smaller.
You will need to fold the material and hold the seams with pins to allow you sew comfortably. You could fold it lengthwise, with the inner side facing out. Sew the length and one end leaving the other open for filling. An alternative is to leave a one-inch opening at the seam of the second end. You could use a machine or a needle and thread. Sew tight stitches that will not allow small grains of rice to pass through.
If you choose to sew an inner and outer bag, leave an open end on the latter. Besides, the outer bag requires regular opening when heating the inner. Through the 1-inch opening left when sewing the second end, turn the material right-side-out. Fill your sack with the scented grains to three-fourths or half full using a funnel. This makes the wrap to take the shape of your neck once in use. You can close up the rest of the seam using a zipper.
Place your inner bag in the microwave and heat for 90 seconds. If it is not warm enough, continue heating in the microwave for 30-second intervals. Wrap the bag around your shoulders and neck until it cools, about 20 minutes. Depending on how much you use your lavender neck wraps, wash the fabric and replace the filler every three to six months.
There are various fabrics you can use for this purpose. Old shirts, towels, wash cloths or socks work nicely. Avoid using materials that contain metallic threads as these can ignite when used in the microwave. A large thick sock is a good choice, since it is already tubular and sewn around the sides.
Use a fabric tape measure to get measurements of your neck. In order to account for the seams, it may be necessary to add 0.5 inches to the measurements. For those not willing to measure, work with a width of 5 inches and length of 20 inches. This is a standard size for most necks.
Choose a proper filling for this wrap. Oatmeal, barley, flax seeds and long-grain white rice are among common choices for home-made heat wrap. When using rice, avoid instant type as it may cook when put in the microwave. The choice of scent plays a major role in aiding relaxation. In this case, essential oils containing lavender could be mixed in a large bowl with other spices where necessary. Keep this for one to two days and make sure to stir regularly so that the scent could distribute evenly.
Use the measurements taken earlier to cut your fabric into the desired size. Make allowance for the seams. Those using a sock or towel need not go through this step. In case of a fabric with both inner and outer sides, cut into rectangles both the cover and lining material. Make the lining about 0.5-inch smaller.
You will need to fold the material and hold the seams with pins to allow you sew comfortably. You could fold it lengthwise, with the inner side facing out. Sew the length and one end leaving the other open for filling. An alternative is to leave a one-inch opening at the seam of the second end. You could use a machine or a needle and thread. Sew tight stitches that will not allow small grains of rice to pass through.
If you choose to sew an inner and outer bag, leave an open end on the latter. Besides, the outer bag requires regular opening when heating the inner. Through the 1-inch opening left when sewing the second end, turn the material right-side-out. Fill your sack with the scented grains to three-fourths or half full using a funnel. This makes the wrap to take the shape of your neck once in use. You can close up the rest of the seam using a zipper.
Place your inner bag in the microwave and heat for 90 seconds. If it is not warm enough, continue heating in the microwave for 30-second intervals. Wrap the bag around your shoulders and neck until it cools, about 20 minutes. Depending on how much you use your lavender neck wraps, wash the fabric and replace the filler every three to six months.
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