Lavender neck wraps effectively relieve pain and tension in sore muscles. Lavender is a herb which can be used to soothe joint and muscle pain. When filled with grain or rice, these herb-infused microwaveable pads conform to the muscles, thus providing greater relief. Many retail and online stores sell these products, but they can be made at home as well. The following steps provide helpful instruction in assembling one of your own.
Choose a proper fabric for use to prepare this product. You can buy some materials from the shop but fabrics like old socks, towels, shirts and others could be recycled. Of importance is to make sure the chosen fabric does not have any metals that could catch fire when heating the wrap. A good choice would be a large sock that is thick as it is already sewn on the sides and one end thus reducing labour.
Take measurements of your neck with a fabric tape measure and add 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) to account for the seams. If you do not want to measure, a length of about 20 inches (51 cm) and a width of 5 inches (13 cm) will also work. Cut your piece of cloth into this size.
The chosen fabric is filled with long-grain rice, oatmeal, flax seed or barley. For those using rice, avoid the instant type as it will cook when placed under heat. Choose lavender mixed with other essential oils or spices to attain the scent of your choice. Lavender is not just for the scent only, but also, therapeutic purposes. Leave the mixture in a large bowl for one to two days and stir it regularly for the scent to mix evenly.
Trim the fabric to the measurements you have taken, leaving room for the seams. For a towel or sock, this is not necessary. If you are using an inner and outer fabric, cut rectangles out of both lining and cover material. The lining should be slightly smaller, about 0.5 inch (1.3 cm ).
Fold this material along its length with the inner part facing out. You could use pins to secure the cloth along the seams so that you can sew properly. Sewing is by thread and needle or a machine. Make tight seams that will not allow tiny rice grains to come out when the wrap is in use. Leave an opening of about 1 inch (2.54 cm) on one end.
When using an inner and outer bag, leave an open end in the latter. This is opened regularly when heating the inner bag. Use the one-inch opening to turn the material right-side-out. Pour the scented grain into the inner bag using a funnel to halfway or three-fourths full. This makes your wrap conform properly to the shape of your shoulders or neck. You could sew a zipper on the opening to use it when opening and closing your sack.
The inner bag is heated using a microwave for 90 seconds or till it is warm enough. You can warm at intervals of 30 seconds. The warm bag is then wrapped around the sore muscles on your neck or shoulders for about 20 minutes. Repeat the process until you feel relieved. The fabric on lavender neck wraps ought to be washed and the grains replaced after every three to six months depending on your frequency of use.
Choose a proper fabric for use to prepare this product. You can buy some materials from the shop but fabrics like old socks, towels, shirts and others could be recycled. Of importance is to make sure the chosen fabric does not have any metals that could catch fire when heating the wrap. A good choice would be a large sock that is thick as it is already sewn on the sides and one end thus reducing labour.
Take measurements of your neck with a fabric tape measure and add 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) to account for the seams. If you do not want to measure, a length of about 20 inches (51 cm) and a width of 5 inches (13 cm) will also work. Cut your piece of cloth into this size.
The chosen fabric is filled with long-grain rice, oatmeal, flax seed or barley. For those using rice, avoid the instant type as it will cook when placed under heat. Choose lavender mixed with other essential oils or spices to attain the scent of your choice. Lavender is not just for the scent only, but also, therapeutic purposes. Leave the mixture in a large bowl for one to two days and stir it regularly for the scent to mix evenly.
Trim the fabric to the measurements you have taken, leaving room for the seams. For a towel or sock, this is not necessary. If you are using an inner and outer fabric, cut rectangles out of both lining and cover material. The lining should be slightly smaller, about 0.5 inch (1.3 cm ).
Fold this material along its length with the inner part facing out. You could use pins to secure the cloth along the seams so that you can sew properly. Sewing is by thread and needle or a machine. Make tight seams that will not allow tiny rice grains to come out when the wrap is in use. Leave an opening of about 1 inch (2.54 cm) on one end.
When using an inner and outer bag, leave an open end in the latter. This is opened regularly when heating the inner bag. Use the one-inch opening to turn the material right-side-out. Pour the scented grain into the inner bag using a funnel to halfway or three-fourths full. This makes your wrap conform properly to the shape of your shoulders or neck. You could sew a zipper on the opening to use it when opening and closing your sack.
The inner bag is heated using a microwave for 90 seconds or till it is warm enough. You can warm at intervals of 30 seconds. The warm bag is then wrapped around the sore muscles on your neck or shoulders for about 20 minutes. Repeat the process until you feel relieved. The fabric on lavender neck wraps ought to be washed and the grains replaced after every three to six months depending on your frequency of use.
