Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Tips On Preparing Your Own Lavender Neck Wraps

By Krystal Branch


Lavender is among the widely used herbs in relaxation and soothing of sore joints and muscles. Many people have bought items like lavender neck wraps to help ease pain around the shoulder. However, it is possible to prepare one at home since the materials used are readily available. Follow the given steps below and come up with a wrap that you can use any time you are in need.

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.

Your next step is to fill the cloth. Flax seed, long-grain white rice, oatmeal or barley are good options for your homemade wrap. If you choose rice, do not use instant, as it may cook when heated. To get a good scent, you can mix an essential oil or spice with the filling in a large bowl. Let this sit for one or two days, stirring frequently so the aroma is distributed evenly.

Cut the fabric into the desired measurements. Those using a sock or towel may not need to cut. If you intend to use a double fabric, cut into rectangle the inner and outer materials. Make sure to cut the lining slightly smaller than the outer cover. 0.5 inch smaller will work.

You will need to fold the material and hold the seams with pins to allow you sew comfortably. You could fold it lengthwise, with the inner side facing out. Sew the length and one end leaving the other open for filling. An alternative is to leave a one-inch opening at the seam of the second end. You could use a machine or a needle and thread. Sew tight stitches that will not allow small grains of rice to pass through.

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.

When using the lavender neck wraps, the inner bag is warmed by placing it in a microwave and heat for 90 seconds. One can continue heating in intervals of 30 seconds if the bag does not warm enough. Place the warm bag around the shoulders and leave it there for about 20 minutes. Always clean your wrap regularly and replace the grains depending on how frequently you use it.




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