Cooling pad, heating pad, health pad. Same yet not quite the same and still serving so many great purposes.

No matter the name, you have probably bumped into this rectangular cushion with multiple pockets filled with everything from rice, dried peas, buckwheat shells, cherry stones or grapeseed kernels.

Different kinds of filling can be used for various purposes. For example, some kernels are best for heating, some for calming, others for cooling – grapeseed kernels can even do all three!

Do you feel up for making your own pad? It’s not difficult at all – we can guide you!

You’ll be done in no time.

What you’ll need:

• 2 pieces of fabric
• Matching thread
• 2 packets of grapeseed kernels (each 500 gram)
• Optional: marker pen/tailor’s chalk and a patch

1. Cut two pieces of fabric, each measuring 22 x 70 cm.
2. Fold and press a 1 cm seam allowance to the wrong side on one long side of both pieces of fabric.
3. Place the two pieces of fabric together, right sides facing. The two seam allowances should lie on top of the other.
4. Sew the other three sides together with a 1 cm seam allowance.
5. Turn to the right side and press.
6. Sew seven rows of stitching through both layers to form 8 x 8.5 cm channels. You could consider outlining the channels with a marker pen or tailor’s chalk.
7. Add 125 g of grape seeds to each channel.
8. Pin each opening and sew by hand, using invisible stitches or machine edge stitch 0.3 cm from the edge.

Most types of fabric can be used for your cooling/heating pad. Just make sure to pick a soft fabric that can stand the test of heat– preferably one with natural fibres.

You gain the best result by choosing a durable fabric strong enough to support the weight of the filling. And naturally, a material that can be used time and again.

We stock a large selection of durable, heat resistant, and even organic fabrics perfect for heating pads. Especially worthy of mention are our cotton canvas and woven cotton.

Traditionally, heating pads are filled with dried kernels, peas, rice, or similar. Any might work, but not all types of seeds serve the same purpose. But may we suggest you use grapeseeds?

Grape seeds retain cold and heat very well. This means they can be used for cooling as well as warming. Additionally, the seeds make your pad quite weighty, which can be soothing.

Because the kernels are so small, they envelop the to-be-soothed area and disperse the weight of the heat pad evenly. What’s more, they don’t rustle all too much, which can also be a rather welcome advantage.

We also stock other types of filling for your heating pad.

A heating pad is a godsend if you have sore muscles and are in need of pain relief. Be it for your neck, lower back, shoulders or tummy.

Children growing up can also benefit from a heating pad placed on their growing legs, as heat may relieve growing pains.

Heat your heating pad in an oven or microwave oven – temperature and time depending on the filling type. Check out the product information on the different fillings for specifics.

A cooling pad can relieve aching joints, swellings, and soreness in general, for example, after a good workout.

A handmade cooling pad is likely a more inexpensive alternative to the ice bags you can buy at pharmacies or sporting goods shops.

Allocate a space in your freezer where your cooling pad can be stored to be ready for use when you need it.

These pillows provide a sense of calmness for you or your children. They are especially beneficial when settling down to relax proves difficult, as they are an alternative to a weighted duvet.

Once the pad is placed on your shoulders, you are likely to feel a sense of calmness. The u-shaped pillow comfortably cradles your neck while applying the weight of the kernels inside, relieving tension in the neck and shoulders.

You can heat or cool the pad before use, but this is not needed to achieve the soothing effect.

Perfect for fixing your pad in place around those sore arms or legs.