How to sew a rice bag

Here's how to make a rice bag. You'll need to know how to use your sewing machine for this project. If you are not familiar with your sewing machine, I recommend a) reading the manual and b) taking an in person class at a fabric store near you. Once you get started sewing, keep sewing on a regular basis or you'll forget and have to start back at reading the manual.

If you're already familiar with your sewing machine, this is a quick and easy project. It took me 20 minutes to make a bunch of rice bags.

How to sew a rice bag Read more at: How to sew a rice bag | carrie actually

Cut your fabric to 5x5 inches. I used scraps leftover from another recent project I did but you can also buy precut 5x5 inch "charm squares". I did not prewash my fabric for this project.

How to sew a rice bag Read more at: How to sew a rice bag | carrie actually

Place two squares right sides together. Start stitching about 1 inch from the bottom right corner. Backstitch then stitch around 3 sides of your square.

How to sew a rice bag Read more at: How to sew a rice bag | carrie actually

Turn your fourth corner and then stitch 1 more inch and backstitch. You want to have about a 3 inch opening on one side of your square.

How to sew a rice bag Read more at: How to sew a rice bag | carrie actually

Turn your bag right side out and fill with half a cup of plain uncooked rice.

How to sew a rice bag Read more at: How to sew a rice bag | carrie actually

Fold the raw edges in along your 3 inch opening and pin. I like to put one pin at each end of the opening and one in the middle.

How to sew a rice bag Read more at: How to sew a rice bag | carrie actually

At this point I switch to a zipper foot on my sewing machine and move my needle to the far right position. Stitch all along the side of your square with the opening to keep it shut. Backstitch at the beginning and the end.

How to sew a rice bag Read more at: How to sew a rice bag | carrie actually

That's it. I think contrast stitching is really fun so I picked a thread that matched the mermaids tails, but I could have picked one that matched the dark blue background so it'd be almost invisible.

How to sew a rice bag Read more at: How to sew a rice bag | carrie actually

Supplies (I did not buy anything new for this project, just used what I already had from other projects but if you see something you like): Dear Stella Seaworthy Mermaid fabricAurifil Jade threadBernina 350PE sewing machineOlfa ergonomic rotary cutterOfla cutting matOmnigrid quilter's rulerGypsy GripperClover flower pins