How to Make a Microwave Heating Pad with Pom-Poms

2027 Update

This DIY microwave heating pad is one of those projects I made years ago and still love. It costs very little to make, takes about 20 minutes to sew, and feels so good draped over cold or tired shoulders.

I made mine a little prettier than the typical homemade heat pack by using bright striped cotton fabric and adding fluffy ombré pom-poms to each corner. It’s practical, but cute enough that it also makes a really lovely handmade gift.

Instead of rice, I fill mine with wheat berries. They give the heating pad a substantial, comforting weight and hold warmth beautifully. I also like adding a little lavender for a relaxing scent.

Warm it gently in the microwave, drape it around your shoulders, and you have a cozy little heat pack for chilly winter evenings.

And for mammas: I originally loved using mine on my shoulders after spending what felt like half the day carrying a baby around!

Why I Use Wheat Berries

Most homemade microwave heating pads you’ll find online are filled with rice, but I used wheat berries in mine.

I love the weight they give the finished pad, and because they’re small, they move easily inside the sections of the heating pad so it can conform around your neck and shoulders.

You could make a similar heat pack using rice or flaxseed as well—both are commonly used in DIY microwave heating pads

What You’ll Need

• 2.5 pound bag of Red Wheat Berries 
• Cotton Fabric approximately 15 x 19 inches (a great way to use up pretty scraps!)
• Ombre yarn for Pom Poms
• Sewing machine
• 10 drops of French lavender oil for a relaxing scent
• 100% cotton thread
• Cotton yarn for the pom-poms
• Sewing machine
• Needle for hand sewing
• Funnel
• Scissors
• Pins
• Iron

Important: Because the heating pad will go into the microwave, stick with microwave-safe natural materials.

How to Make a Microwave Heating Pad

1. Cut the Fabric

Measure and cut a piece of 100% cotton fabric approximately 15 x 19 inches.

This is also a great project for using a piece of beautiful leftover fabric you’ve been saving.

2. Fold and Pin

Fold the fabric with the right sides together and pin along the edges.

3. Sew the Heating Pad

Sew around the edges, leaving an opening large enough to turn the fabric right side out and eventually add the wheat berries.

Backstitch at the beginning and end so the seams are secure.

Turn the heating bag right side out. Use a chopstick to push out the corners. Now fold in half and Pin.

Iron the middle seam (this fold will be your stitch guide for the next step)

4. Create the Center Sections

Fold the heating pad in half and press the fold with an iron. This gives you an easy guide for your center stitching.

Measure approximately 4 inches in from each side as shown in the photos and sew your dividing seams.

I like to sew over these seams twice and backstitch at the ends for extra strength.

The sections help keep all of those wheat berries from sliding to one end when you put the pad over your shoulders.

5. Add the Wheat Berries

Pour the wheat berries into a bowl.

If you’d like a scented heating pad, add a small amount of lavender and mix thoroughly before filling the pad. The fragrance is completely optional.

Using a wide-mouth funnel, slowly pour the wheat berries into the heating pad.

If they get stuck, gently tap the funnel or use a chopstick to help them through.

6. Sew the Opening Closed

Once you’re happy with the amount of filling, hand stitch the opening securely closed.

How to Make the Pom-Poms

Wrap your cotton yarn around a fork approximately 40–60 times, depending on the thickness of your yarn and how full you’d like the pom-poms.

Tying your pompom very tight is one of the keys to making a perfect fluffy and dense pompom. A loose center means a loose pompom!

Cut a 4 inch piece of wool, and wrap around the pom pom , pull tight and then tie a knot. Using a piece of Waxed linen thread , which is very strong, works the best.Carefully pull the Pompom off your spoon and cut the sides with sharp scissors.Fluff out the PomPom to get a rounded shape. Sew onto the corners of your heating bag.Sew the pom poms to the corners and you have an adorable heating bag that is warm, cozy and beautiful to look at! To heat simply place in microwave on high for 40 seconds, Turn and heat another 40. To cool  (for migraines or tired eyes) place in the freezer for 20 mins.

And that’s it!

You now have a cheerful homemade microwave heating pad that looks a lot prettier than the usual utilitarian heat pack.

How to Heat Your Homemade Heating Pad

Microwaves vary considerably, so I wouldn’t use one universal heating time.

Start with 30 seconds, carefully check the temperature, turn or redistribute the filling, and continue heating in short increments until it reaches a comfortable temperature. Current DIY heating-pad instructions similarly recommend heating incrementally rather than assuming one heating time works for every microwave.

Always supervise it while heating and check the temperature before putting it directly against your skin.

I especially love the long shape because it sits nicely over the neck and shoulders.

Can You Use It as a Cold Pack?

Yes. That’s another reason I love this project.

Place the heating pad inside a clean sealed bag before putting it in the freezer. Once chilled, you can use it as a reusable cold pack instead. Homemade grain-filled pads are commonly used both warm and cold.

A Really Easy Handmade Gift

These are wonderful Christmas gifts because you can sew several assembly-line style at the same time.

Choose beautiful cotton fabrics, make coordinating pom-poms, and you’ve got a handmade gift that looks much more special than its approximately $5–$10 material cost.

I’d include a little card explaining how to heat it safely, too.

It’s one of those DIY gifts that’s genuinely useful—and doesn’t look homemade in a bad way.

FAQ

What can I put in a homemade microwave heating pad?

Rice, wheat berries and flaxseed are commonly used natural fillings for homemade microwave heat packs. I use wheat berries because I like their weight and the way they distribute throughout this particular pad.

How long do you microwave a homemade heating pad?

Start with about 30 seconds and check it. Continue in short increments until comfortably warm. Microwave wattage and the size and filling of your heating pad affect how quickly it heats.

Can I add lavender?

Yes, although I would make this optional rather than essential to the project. You can make an unscented version or add lavender for fragrance.

Can I make a microwave heating pad with rice?

Yes. Rice is probably the most common filling you’ll see in DIY versions and can be substituted for the wheat berries used in this tutorial.

What fabric should I use?

Use 100% cotton fabric and microwave-appropriate thread/materials. Avoid synthetic fabrics that can melt when heated.

Can you freeze a homemade heating pad?

Yes. Put it in a sealed bag to protect the fabric and filling, then chill it in the freezer to use as a cold pack.