Make easy, DIY flaxseed heat pads (warming pillows, neck relaxers, etc.) with this video tutorial and download free printable gift tags!
One of my most popular DIY’s, flaxseed warming pillows (aka, “neck relaxers,” “heating pads,” or whatever you call them!) now has it’s own how-to video! It’s all done up in AOC fashion with the complete steps, as well as tips and answers to questions I’ve gotten over the years since first publishing the DIY flaxseed heat pads how-to.
This is one of my all-time favorite handmade gifts and one of the most popular with my friends and family – I still get requests for these wonderful little pillows (even from my 4-year-old niece!).
To celebrate the “release” of the video, I created a set of free printable gift tags for you to download! You’ll find them at the bottom of this post, making it easy for you to attach the directions along with a little explanation of the benefits of using flaxseed in homemade heating pads.
Now, you all know my goal with most crafts, right? They’ve got to be easy, do-able, not take too much time, use materials that are not hard to find, and be inexpensive. Because, let’s be honest here, why bother otherwise? These diy flaxseed heat pads area all this and more since they give back to the recipient every time they use them (and if you want to be on someone’s mind, make them one of these and they will think of you every time they warm their toes, neck, or back!).
Since these are so popular (I’ve had readers even ask if I would sell them some!), I wanted to make sure you had every option available to you so that you could make them yourself, whether you learn best through a written tutorial or by watching the steps in a video.
MY LATEST VIDEOSDIY Flaxseed Heat Pads Video
So, now you have your choice to visit my original tutorial on how {and why!} to make flaxseed warming pillows here, watch the video here to see the steps in action- or do both. (Please overlook my hesitation when talking about the flax seeds, I really do think they’re the best – that’s what happens when I can’t remember what I wanted to say. Now you know how much I love you – these videos aren’t the easiest things for me to make, ha!)
Printable Flaxseed Pillow Gift Tags
{click on image for the full-sized printable, then download to your computer}:
I hope you enjoy making these and gifting them to your family and friends as much as I have!
**The border graphic used for the tags was created by We Lived Happily Ever After (check the site out if you’re looking for more fun free graphics!).
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Thank you Jami for your very helpful instructions for the neck warmer! You were perfect in your detail and it was awesome to watch!!
Thank you, Mel!
Love the video. Thanks. Wondering if there is a way to change background color of the tag.
No, sorry. You can alter it a little by printing on a different color of paper, though.
Any idea what this fabric is called or where you purchased it? I just LOVE it and need it!
It was from Premier Prints and I think I got it on Fabric.com – but it is from years ago, so I doubt it’s available. But I do know that Premier has always had a lot of great prints, so you should check them out. 🙂
What a wonderful gift idea. You are so thoughtful & generous to make these instructions available to anyone who may be interested. I can’t wait to make these flaxseed warming pillows as gifts for family & friends. Thank you & God bless you.
Oh, thank you for your sweet comment, Carol – I hope you enjoy using and giving these!
Thank you so much for the tutorial and tags. I started searching for neck pillows on the internet and stopped looking when I came across yours! I am making one to donate to a basket being raffled off to benefit Nar-Anon (the narcotics version of Al-Anon). I’m making something because I’m so short on money right now, and your pattern is perfect. I am delighted to use your pattern and donate such a pretty, usable gift. The basket theme is “Spa Day – Taking Care of Yourself.”
I love this, Helen – thank you for letting me know, I’m so glad it’s going to be in such a worthwhile cause. 🙂
Hello,
I have made these with rice but I will be making a few as gifts. For the life of me, I just could imagine using FLAXSEED, as in the same seeds I grind and add to my protein shake. But clearly, that is in fact what you are using. Thanks for such clear instructions and pictures of the FLAXSEED!
Happy Mother’s Day, Every Day
Yes, exactly the same – just whole and not ground up. 🙂 You’re welcome – I know your people will love these!!
Great tutorial! How much is in your ‘scoop’ of lavender – 1/4 cup, 5 table spoons, etc. Also, can you use polyester thread -or does it have to be 100% cotton? One more question – have you ever used flannel in your pillow’s?
Thanks in advance & keep up the DIY ideas 🙂
It’s a 1/4 cup, but I don’t usually fill it all the way. It’s not an exact measurement. 🙂 Just enough to impart a smell.
Poly thread may melt (not hold up) when microwaved, so I recommend cotton. I have used the all-purpose thread which I think is cotton-wrapped poly or something? And it seems to be okay.
I haven’t found a flannel that is thick enough and I’m not sure how it would breath with the moist heated flax, so I stick to a cotton weave. You can experiment, though!
Hello, I’m looking online to purchase whole flax seeds for this but I notice there are “brown” and “golden” and some others… does it matter which kind? Thank you!
No, it doesn’t – I just use what is cheapest! (I do have a link to some flax seeds on the tutorial page, too: https://anoregoncottage.com/how-to-make-the-best-flaxseed-pillows/ )
Hi. Love this tutorial! Was so excited and ready to sew as I already bought my materials, cut out all the patterns, and set up the machine. Then the horror, the thread just keeps breaking! I have mever used cotton thread before and it won’t seem to hold up to my beautiful bark cloth. What should I do? Christmas dinner is 3 days away. I’m so sad. 🙁 Any advice would be gladly appreciated.
That shouldn’t be happening, Shelia! I’ve sewn with cotton cloth all the time and it works fine. Have you checked your machine or gone to any forums or websites for help? That would be my first thought. But here’s the thing – you can use regular poly-wrapped threads, it’s just not the best. I’ve used it though and it heats fine – so use that if you need to!
Can you upload this to YouTube? I can’t watch the boxes with all the ads.
Sorry for the frustration, Laney! Yes, this has been on YT for awhile now – here’s the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Flvj2aoOKPg
Hope that’s better!
(-: Thank you!
Does anyone know if these can be washed?
No, Michelle, you can get flax wet or it will gel and be ruined. You can make covers for the pillows, though, if you need to be able to wash them.
Exactly, Make different covers and change them with the the seasons. Wash the covers and keep the flax seeds pocket nice and dry.
Hi Jami! I live on the east coast and I can’t find flax seed anywhere! I’ve looked on line but it’s anywhere from $2.00 and up a pound. Where can I purchase flax seed for less than $1.00 per pound?
🙁
Bummer, Shelia! You don’t have any supermarket where you can purchase cooking ingredients in bins (bulk)? That’s where I find the best price. But it’s still a pretty cheap gift even if you have to spend $4-6 for the filling. These are worth it since the flax last a LOOONG time – it’s a great gift!
Great flaxseed warming pillow video. I will be making them as gifts as well as to be sold at a Holiday Craft fair. What price tag would you put on them? I will be adding essential oils from my company. They are 100% pure grade. Will also make customized tags from my digital on line scrapbook line. Thank you
Thank you Margie! I sold them for $12 – they only cost me around $1 to make, so a good profit. 🙂
Is Milled Fax Seed the same thing you are using? I found it at walmart, but it says to refrigerate after opening, so that can’t be right- right?
No, I believe milled flax seed means the same as flax seed meal – ground flax seeds. You need to refrigerate it after grinding the flax seeds. You want to look for whole flax seeds. 🙂
I started making a “pillow case” for mine and that way you can wish it!
Hi Jami, I made “Bun basket” size pillows , without any lavender, and they keep the buns or bread warm for the entire meal , warmed for 40-60 seconds and hidden under a napkin.
Oh my goodness, what a fabulous idea, Janet! And another way to be able to gift them. 😉
I’m so happy that you made this tutorial! My aunt wants a warming pillow but didn’t want it made out of rice because she hated the smell after it was heated several times. I never thought to use Flaxseed! Thanks again I know she’ll love her surprise on Christmas morning.
Yeah! I think your aunt will be very pleased with the flaxseed, Deborah. 🙂
Thank you, I will be making these for teacher gifts tomorrow!! I can’t get the tags to load, though.
Goodness, thank for letting me know, Tracey – I had no idea the printable and photos had disappeared from the post! Ah, the joys of blogging when you don’t understand computers and coding. 🙂 I uploaded it all again, so you should be able to download the tags to use now!
Well, I just made a practice one, and it works, and it’s not *too* ugly, and I didn’t cry. If you knew me and my lack of such skills, you would be *very* impressed. Now, (after a short break to recover from the stress of it all 🙂 ) I will attempt to make a few for Christmas presents … thank you for the easy-to-follow tutorial and video. 🙂
Yeah! VERY happy to hear your success, Linda (and that you found the video helpful!). 🙂
Just wanted to say thanks for the easy to follow tutorial. I have always been crafty, but not much into sewing. I made about 35 of these and they were very easy. I just gave one to each of the girls in my office as a Christmas gift and they loved them…they turned out beautiful! I am now tasked with making some for the men in the office and bought plaid material to make sure they look more masculine! The printable tags were perfect too. Feeling pretty proud of myself thanks to you! 🙂
Wow, this is fabulous, Diane! So glad to be of help – they always are a big hit, so I’m not surprised. 🙂
Hi! I was wondering about how much lavender you add to each bag. Great tutorial! Thanks, Luanne
Anywhere from 2 Tb. to 1/4 c. depending on how much I have and how many I need to make. 😉
Thank you so much! Can’t wait to get started! =)
Suggested Sewing Machine you would recommend to purchase? Thanks
I use and like Janome machines, Kathy (though there are really a lot of sewing machines out there!). I have a vintage (as in, they don’t make it anymore, ha!) Janome 9000, but I’ve heard really good things about their heavy duty machine with 18 basic stitches that would be a great starting machine for doing things like these warming pillows and other home decor. Here’s a link to one on Amazon for an example: http://amzn.to/1vtYat2 Sure hope that’s helpful!
Thank you for sharing this tutorial! I have a Craft Gossip post scheduled for later this morning that links to your post:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/video-tutorial-flaxseed-heating-pads-plus-printable-gift-tags/2014/11/18/
–Anne
Thank you so much for sharing, Anne!
I love this video tutorial. Daughter and I are definitely going to make some of these up for friends. Thanks for the printable tag, too! It’s the perfect touch for gift giving.
So glad to read this, Debbie! I know they’ll be a hit 🙂