Here's another project to use up charm squares: a simple pouch filled with rice or similar grains that can be used as an icepack or heated and used at a hot pack.
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| The red and panda packs are six charm squares each; the blue one is eight with the "extra" two squares cut in half and sewn in between the full-size squares. |
SUPPLIES
Six to eight charm squares
Rice, fennel, or other grain--about half a cup per section
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| I used rice for this one, and fennel for the others pictured above |
DIRECTIONS
Sew the charm squares for each side together into a strip. You should have two strips of equal length when you're done.
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| One strip done, one nearly there. |
Put the strips right sides together, and sewn around the perimeter. Leave room for turning--this will also be how you put the grain in.
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| Turn right side out when you're done. |
Now, pour about half a cup of grain into the pouch, and work them down into the far end, opposite where you left the opening for turning. You'll be sewing the first section closed next, so don't overfill it--needles don't like going over hard grains, and will revolt by breaking.
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| You'll also be top stitching around the perimeter. Don't overfill! |
With the grains between two charm squares, sew along the seam between the two charm squares (or wherever you've decided to close off the first section).
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| See how the section is loosely filled? This is about how it should look. |
Repeat for the remaining sections. Finally, top stitch around the edge, taking care to close the opening. Now it's ready to soothe an ache!
