How To Make The Best Flaxseed Pillows (& Why Flaxseed is the Best)
A complete tutorial showing how to make flaxseed pillows, a popular and welcomed gift, plus WHY flax seed is the best filler for homemade warming pillows.
Check out more DIY gifts on the handmade gifts page.
Some links in this article are affiliate links and if you click on them I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.
NOTE: In addition to the tutorial below, you can also go here to watch a video tutorial to make these homemade heat pads filled with flax AND download a set of printable tags with directions for using!
My entire extended family loves using these easy-to-make flaxseed pillows for everything from sore necks to foot warmers (on cold nights it’s a treat to slide into bed with warm toes!).
They have been one of the most popular handmade gifts I have given, as well as one of the most popular things I sold when I had a craft business. And the fact that they are super easy and inexpensive to make is just a nice bonus!
While you may think that rice or corn would work just as well – and be cheaper – as a filler for DIY warming pads, there are lots of reasons why flax is better.
For a heating pad with lasting quality, using whole flaxseeds is really the only way to go.
Why flaxseed instead of other grains?
- Whole flaxseed provides a gentle, moist heat which promotes healing.
- Flaxseeds are flower seeds, rather than grains, so they contain 30-40% oil which remains inside the seed to be warmed again and again. Other products lose their ability to retain heat as the water cooks out of them over time.
- When heated, flaxseed pillows retain half their heat after an hour. Under covers (think about those toes…) the pillow will still be warm hours later.
- Flax never has that “cooked grain” smell other grain based products have when heated over and over again.
- The weight of flaxseed is gentle and comforting.
- Flaxseed pillows can also be chilled in the freezer to sooth fevers or slight inflammations, though they don’t get cold enough to provide the numbness needed for things like sprains and back injuries.
Can you heat them without a microwave?
I haven’t tried it, but I did get a comment from a reader who made them and then heated them using her oven and a baking stone!
Here’s what she did:
- Use a pizza stone in the oven, heat the oven & stone (she didn’t give a temperature – maybe 350 degrees?).
- Turn the oven off and put the pack on the stone for a couple of minutes.
- Flip it over to evenly heat and it “works just as well as the microwave!”
Flaxseed Pillows Video
How to Make Flaxseed Pillows
SECRET TIP: I have been making these rectangular flaxseed pillows for a number of years now, and people are always surprised by how sturdy and professional-looking they are, and my secret is: only use the more heavyweight 100% cotton home decor fabrics. The lighter quilting cottons just don’t hold the heat as well, aren’t as comfortable to use and don’t last as long.
Supplies Needed:
- 100% cotton, heavy-weight fabrics like ticking, florals, home decorating fabrics, and even denim (similar to the the fabrics pictured). This is a key to making them a step above the run-of-the-mill flea market rice pack.
- Whole flaxseed (brown or gold), about 2 to 2-1/2 pounds for each rectangular warmer. If you can find whole flaxseed in bulk at a local store that will be your best deal. Online these are the best prices I’ve found at around $2 a pound: To make about 4 neck warmers- 10-lbs whole brown flax seed (even less with Amazon’s Subscribe & Save); OR to make just 1: 2.2 pounds Whole Brown Flaxseed.
- Sharp Scissors
- Sewing machine
- 100% Cotton Thread
- Large wide-mouth funnel (easier than the regular funnel pictured in tutorial)
- Dried lavender (optional), 1/4 c. for each pillow
- Wide ribbon for packaging
Directions:
1. Make a pattern. This is optional, but If you’re going to be making a lot of these, it’s helpful. Make it out of brown kraft paper in any size you’d like. I find that a 12″ x 20″ pattern for a finished pillow of 5-1/2″ x 20 is a versatile size for draping around your neck, back or warming toes. It is easiest to cut only one piece that I fold before sewing.
However, if I’ve got a piece of fabric that is close to that size I’ll use it, especially if it’s wider and shorter (like the red plaid pillow in the first picture) because that’s a nice size for using as a foot warmer. That size would be more of a square at about 14″ x 15.” Play around with sizes to find the one you like best- just don’t go too big or it will be too heavy and take too much seed to fill.
2. Sew the end and side seams. The sewing on this is super-simple, with a total of three straight lines.
Fold the fabric with right sides together and start sewing on one of the short ends (folded side farthest from you), keeping the edge of the presser foot at the edge of the fabric, as shown, for the seam allowance.
When you come to the corner, make sure the needle is in the fabric, lift the presser foot, and turn your fabric. Lower the foot and sew all the way to the other short end, keeping the same seam allowance and ending at the open short end.
It’s helpful to go back and forth a time or two (called “bar-tacking”) with the thread to lock in the seam, since we’ll be turning the pillow right-side out.
3. Clip the corners of the seams you’ve just sewn, as pictured, to reduce bulkiness when it’s turned.
4. Turn the pillow right-side out.
5. Fill with flaxseed and optional scent. Fill to between 1/2 and 2/3 full (depending on the fullness you want), about 2 to 2-1/2 pounds of flaxseed. This allows for movement of the seeds when heating in the microwave and for a comfortable pillow to drape (be careful, though, fill it too full and the pillow becomes like a rock…).
Optional for scent: Add about 1/4 cup dried lavender buds. Lavender is a soothing scent that’s not too overpowering, so I find it works for lots of people. I’ve also used dried chamomile flowers.
Alternately, a few drops of lavender essential oil could be rubbed into some of the seeds before adding to the pillow. Just don’t add too much scent, as it can be overpowering when heated.
6. Pin open edge. Fold the open end inward 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch and pin as pictured.
7. Sew the folded end close to the edge. Use the inside of the presser foot as a guide and lock each end by going back-and-forth with the needle and thread. You don’t want any seeds to fall out!
And that’s it! Pretty simple, right?
For gift-giving, it works great to fold the pillow in half and tie with a wide ribbon. Add a tag with these instructions and why flax is so wonderful:
Warm in microwave 45 seconds to 1 minute, shake, and warm another 20 to 30 seconds until desired temperature. Flax retains half its heat after an hour or more under covers and can be warmed again and again unlike grain products.
Update: Go here to print off a set of tags for your pillows (and watch a video how-to if you’d like).
And with flax seeds, a little fabric and lavender (maybe that you grew yourself?), you’ve got a wonderful, inexpensive gift that people really appreciate.
Have you ever made these for gifts?
Update #2: I just had to show you all this incredibly thoughtful take on these popular warming pillows that my friend, Mary, from Front-Porch-Ideas-And-More shared with me:
Mary’s sister’s husband was killed tragically in an auto accident and when she saw the Flaxseed Pillow Tutorial, she was inspired to use the sleeves of her brother-in-law’s shirts to make warming pillows for her sister and her children.
Isn’t that brilliant? And so incredibly appropriate – the sleeves that covered the arms that used to hug them can now warm them. (sniff…are your eyes tearing up, too?) Mary wrote:
My sister and kids love the flaxseed pillows. They were very touched by those. Thank you again for the wonderful idea.
Of course the application of this idea can be wider spread and apply to clothing from anyone special to you, using grandparents, parents and even children’s clothes. Basically anything that was special to someone you love (or even yourself!) can be made into a loving pillow to warm them on chilly nights or help soothe aches and pains.
A couple points to remember when using clothing for Flaxseed Warming Pillows:
- Mary mentioned that when using clothing (often made of thinner material than the heavy cotton I recommend for the pillows) it’s a good idea to double the fabric. She used two sleeves for each pillow and said that this made them a lot more richer feeling.
- Make sure that the clothing fabric is 100% cotton. Any polyester or non-cotton fabric like modal or microfiber will react with the flax when microwaved, causing moisture and even potentially melting. I would assume that 100% linen or wool flannel would be okay, but I’ve never tried it, so I’d suggest testing it first to be sure it’s okay before gifting the pillow.
Want to save this?
Enter your email below and you’ll get it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get easy new recipes, gardening tips & more every week!
How To Make The Best Flaxseed Pillows (& Why Flaxseed is the Best)
Tools
- Sharp scissors
- Sewing machine
- Large wide-mouth funnel
Materials
- 100% cotton, heavy-weight fabrics like ticking, florals, home decorating fabrics, and even denim (similar to the the fabrics pictured). This is a key to making them a step above the run-of-the-mill flea market rice pack.
- Whole flaxseed (brown or gold), about 2 to 2-1/2 pounds for each rectangular warmer. If you can find whole flaxseed in bulk at a local store that will be your best deal. Online these are the best prices I've found at around $2 a pound: To make about 4 neck warmers- 10-lbs whole brown flax seed (even less with Amazon's Subscribe & Save); OR to make just 1: 2.2 pounds Whole Brown Flaxseed.
- 100% Cotton Thread
- Dried lavender (optional), 1/4 c. for each pillow
- Wide ribbon for packaging
Instructions
- Make a pattern. This is optional, but If you’re going to be making a lot of these, it’s helpful. Make it out of brown kraft paper in any size you’d like. I find that a 12″ x 20″ pattern for a finished pillow of 5-1/2″ x 20 is a versatile size for draping around your neck, back or warming toes. It is easiest to cut only one piece that I fold before sewing.However, if I’ve got a piece of fabric that is close to that size I’ll use it, especially if it’s wider and shorter (like the red plaid pillow in the first picture) because that’s a nice size for using as a foot warmer. That size would be more of a square at about 14″ x 15.” Play around with sizes to find the one you like best- just don’t go too big or it will be too heavy and take too much seed to fill.
- Sew the end and side seams. The sewing on this is super-simple, with a total of three straight lines.Fold the fabric with right sides together and start sewing on one of the short ends (folded side farthest from you), keeping the edge of the presser foot at the edge of the fabric, as shown, for the seam allowance.When you come to the corner, make sure the needle is in the fabric, lift the presser foot, and turn your fabric. Lower the foot and sew all the way to the other short end, keeping the same seam allowance and ending at the open short end.It’s helpful to go back and forth a time or two (called “bar-tacking”) with the thread to lock in the seam, since we’ll be turning the pillow right-side out.
- Clip the corners of the seams you’ve just sewn, as pictured, to reduce bulkiness when it’s turned.
- Turn the pillow right-side out.
- Fill with flaxseed and optional scent. Fill to between 1/2 and 2/3 full (depending on the fullness you want), about 2 to 2-1/2 pounds of flaxseed. This allows for movement of the seeds when heating in the microwave and for a comfortable pillow to drape (be careful, though, fill it too full and the pillow becomes like a rock…).
- Optional for scent: Add about 1/4 cup dried lavender buds. Lavender is a soothing scent that’s not too overpowering, so I find it works for lots of people. I’ve also used dried chamomile flowers.Alternately, a few drops of lavender essential oil could be rubbed into some of the seeds before adding to the pillow. Just don’t add too much scent, as it can be overpowering when heated.
- Pin open edge. Fold the open end inward 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch and pin as pictured.
- Sew the folded end close to the edge. Use the inside of the presser foot as a guide and lock each end by going back-and-forth with the needle and thread. You don’t want any seeds to fall out!
Notes
Warm in microwave 45 seconds to 1 minute, shake, and warm another 20 to 30 seconds until desired temperature. Flax retains half its heat after an hour or more under covers and can be warmed again and again unlike grain products.
Disclosure: affiliate links in this article will earn commission based on sales, but it doesn’t change your price. Click here to read my full disclaimer and advertising disclosure.
NOTE: this tutorial was originally published in 2011 and has been updated with larger photos and clearer formatting and information.
I was wondering where you buy your flax seeds from. I want to make these, but don’t know what kind of flax seeds to use or where to get them from. I looked on ebay and there are different kinds & all expensive.
Here’s how I answered this same question from above, Dawn:
I buy them from a store that sells bulk baking items (WinCo where I live). I used to just fill a bag, but then they started carrying 25-lb bags of regular brown flax seeds for less than $20 which is easier, so that’s what I do now.
Hope that helps you!
Where can I buy the cheapest flaxseeds in bulk?
I buy them from a store that sells bulk baking items (WinCo where I live). I used to just fill a bag, but then they started carrying 25-lb bags of regular brown flax seeds for less than $20 which is easier, so that’s what I do now.
I was wondering how many of these warmers does a 25 lb. bag of flax make? That is using the measurements and size of your tutorial. Thanks!
Good question, Maggie! Unfortunately, I’ve never counted (and I think I’ve gone through 3 25-lb bags over the years…). 🙁 If I were to guess – maybe 10-15? Sorry I can’t be more specific!
I am using 7 oz per pillow. After doing the math, 25 lbs yield approximately 57 pillows! My pillows measure 3.5 X 9.5″ finished size.
Thanks, Erin, for sharing that – it should be useful for planning!
Thanks for this info. I thing I’m going to make them for gifts this year.
Hi, I was just wondering if you use whole flax seeds for this? I don’t know what the difference is, but I presume whole ones have some sort of husk, if that’s the right word?
Yes, use the regular flax seeds for this, Holly, not ground flax meal. 🙂
I LOVE this tutorial! I searched all over my area and finally found bulk whole flax seed and made several. In fact I have one right now on my lap cause the house is a little cold 🙂
So glad to hear, Lisa! I’ve got to make a new one for me – the weather’s getting cold and I’ve about worn out the last one. 🙂
So pleased I found your tutorial 🙂 I was a bit worried flax seeds might explode in the microwave as over here you can mainly only find wheat or rice. I’m going to have a try at making foot warmers this weekend! Thanks so much for sharing
Thank you for your free pattern information on the neck wrap. I sell prim bear, bunny and snowmen at my fall craft show, and would like to add these to my Booth. How much did you charge for them at your craft show? Thank you
I charged $12 Debra, and I just saw these for sale at an etsy shop where they’re selling for the same, so I think it’s a good price. Hope they sell for you!
Thank you, that seems like a fair price for a show.
Hi All,
I just made one but I added a second case that can be taken off & washed; closed it with velcro.
Great idea! I’ve done it a couple times, but mostly I’m too lazy. 🙂
Hey there! I was wondering where you get your flax seed for your pillows. I ordered some flax but ended up with what looks like a live, raw, golden seed that I’m afraid would smell rancid over time because of the high oil content. Your flax looks like it has been roasted?? Thanks for your advice! Your pillows are beautiful and I appreciate the step by step photos. Thanks again
Hi Lorien! I actually don’t know if they roast flax seed – the type I buy is raw and is from the bulk bins at a local store. It’s not the golden, though – I just use the regular brown flax. It does have oil, of course, but it never smells rancid and like I wrote will last for years and continue to heat. Hope that helps!
Happy Holidays Jami,
Found your blog while searching about flax seed warmers (I’m sitting with one on my feet right now) was so happy to find you are in Portland and went to Winco to find my seeds – perfect advice. Any ideas about where to find bulk lavender? I’m just making family gifts. This year was my first Portland garden so you’re one of my favorites, so encouraging and love your video tutorials – thanks for sharing all your great ideas.
Hi Darlene! Glad you found the blog, too. 🙂 I’ve bought lavender from Mountain Rose Herbs in the past – it’s organic and an Oregon company – it’s easy to order online. We lived in Ptld for 15 years, but now live in the Eugene area – and I have to say I’m not sorry to be out of the traffic and crowds. 🙂
Hi Jami: I made these 12 of these for all the women on my Christmas list; family, neighbors, my boss and co-workers – they were beautiful and everyone loved them. I ended up using Lavender essence mixed with the flax seed when I put them in. The scent was wonderful but faded over about a month. I refresh mine by putting a few drops on the end when I heat them. I heat two of them every night, put them under the sheets at the foot of the bed before I brush my teeth. When I come to bed, it’s so cozy, like I checked into a spa! Thank you for the inspiration.
Thanks so much for inspiring me to make these for my nurse friends at work! Can you give me an idea of how much flax seed you use per pillow? I’m planning on doing 30 or so and want to have enough (but not wayyy too much) on hand. One more question- is it necessary to sew channels in the pillows so the flax doesn’t shift? Thanks so much Jami- I love the rest of your blog, too! I love “cottage” and the reassurance that it is the mentality that counts no matter where you live! Blessings to you and yours!
Thank you, Ellie. 🙂 No, you don’t want to sew channels because you DO want the flax to shift: when you’re warming it and to mold to your neck (or whatever body part you’re using it for). I probably used 4 to 6 cups of flax seed per pillow (long rectangle) – enough to fill it about 2/3 to 3/4 full. I know your friends will LOVE them!
I’ve been making my bed buddies with pinto beans (which encourages me to whip up a batch of refrieds after ever 3rd or so use!), but I love the idea of flax seed and lavender. And you’re right about the heavier fabric — it does look rich. Love the wide-ribbon gift wrap, too. It’s fun, though, if you have a wonderful friend like I do who taught me the basics of quilting, to whip up some simple squares and piece them together with bands on either side. It’s really easy and people are wowed by the quilting. Thanks for the great ideas!!
Oh, that does sound wonderful – and that you have a great friend like that, too. 😉
I love these! I have always used rice for this, but you have convinced me to try the flax.
I would love it if you would share this at the Smart Solutions linky party. You can link up here:
http://theprudentpantryblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/prudent-projects-and-smart-solutions.html
Have a great day!
Hi! I make these flax seed pillows and my customers love them, but won’t lavender buds lose their scent in time?
Hi, Sage- yes, when I made these to sell, they were one of my most popular items, too! I’ve found that it takes quite a while for the lavender scent to dissipate – as in more than a year. When I sold both scented and unscented, the scented always sold out way before the unscented. People just really like the lavender- and it is supposed to be calming. 😉
This is a great blog – with so much useful information, and practical hints. Thank you so much! My aromatherapy pillows came out great…l.land now I am determined to get my cast iron pans back beautiful condition
Thanks so much for the encouragement! Glad your pillows came out – my whole family loves them. 🙂
I just came across this site as I was searching for a way to make an aromatherapy pillow – then I became immersed in all the other terrific ideas……(and, yes, I did make that pillow which came out fantastic!) – keep these great ideas coming!
Oh, yes, Lee- you will like the flax much better than the wheat! So sorry for your mum- hopefully here feet will be warm longer with the flax too. Best to you and your mum! -Jami
Gosh what a great idea, my mum has a “wheatie bag” but I find the wheat smells not so nice. Mum is very frail and has stage four cancer (but fighting it all the way, was given 3-6 months but its been 2 years and she is still here 🙂 Mum gets very cold feet though and uses her wheatie bag daily.
I have decided to make her a new one with the flax seed as above and add some dried lavendar from her garden, she will love that.
Thank you for sharing.
Anonymous: Good to know about linseed= flaxseed. Thanks for sharing!
Tami: Good for you! I still have half of my last bag of flaxseeds, but it’s nice to have, ’cause once people find out you make them, they’ll be asking for more. 🙂 Plus, I use the seeds in our granola! I want to make some little hand warmers, too!!
Thanks again for this post. I have my 2 nieces and a cousin( age 17, 13 & 9) coming over to spend a few days and make Christmas gifts. Thanks for the tip to find flax seed at Winco, I bought the last 2 #25 lbs they had which may be way to much but I figure once we all get making these I didn’t want to run out since it is over an hour drive to Winco. My Aunt used to make the rice bags which we liked but the smell I could only take so long. Excited to try these! Think we will make some little reusable hand warmers also. Thanks again, Tami