Corn Bag Tutorial

Have you ever seen or owned one of these corn filled bags? They are so nice in many ways.

*Comfort sore muscles

*put under the covers before getting into bed to warm your feet

*keep in the freezer to use as an ice pack

*keep in your lap at work to warm your hands

*a friend of mine uses them for her 90yr old mother - she needs to check her blood often and the warmth helps to make her veins more visable to get this done.

And many other ways I'm sure.

Supplies

1 fat quarter

3/8 yard muslin

4 - 6 cups Feed Corn

You can find Feed Corn at a Stock Shop - where you buy horse food etc. I've heard some people find it at Walmart - but I've never seen it there.

First you need to freeze your Feed Corn over night before using - that way it will kill any Critters (or eggs) that might be living in there. I've never seen any - but you just never know.

Cut from Fabric (fat quarter)

Cut fat quarter in half.

You will have two pieces that are 9 x 22 inches (approx)

From that cut the following

1 piece 13 x 9 inches

2 pieces 8 x 9 inches

Set these aside for now

From Muslin

Cut two pieces 13 x 10 inches

Lay together and sew around 3 sides with 1/4 inch seam.

Then - to strengthen these seams - fold and press 2 times. Using your 1/4 stitch line as a guide.

Sew these pressed sides down. Do this on the two sides first - then do the bottom.

It will look something like this.

Now fill this Muslin bag with 4 - 6 cups of Feed Corn. Depends on how full you want it.

Now you will need to close the bag - it can be difficult getting it under the needle since it's full of corn. Here is a little trick. 

 

I stand it up and put a few pins across to help hold the corn away from opening so I can stitch closed.

When stitching, you will do the same thing you did for the other 3 sides.

Stitch one row - then double fold - press - and stitch. It will look something like this...

Now set this aside and grab your 8 x 9 inch fabric pieces.

On one 9 inch end of both 8 x 9 inch pieces, fold and press approx 1/4 inch under.

Now stitch these ends to finish them.

Grab the 13 x 9 inch piece and lay right side up.

Now place your 8 x 9 inch pieces and lay them on top of 13 x 9 inch piece with right sides together.

The finished ends will overlap by approx 1 inch or so. This is intentional.

Next stitch all the way around all 4 sides using 1/4 inch seam. Back stitch as you go over the over lapped section. This will add strength.

(pretend the one in the picture is actually stitched - sorry)

Next - I like to finish the edges to prevent fraying. You can do this by using a zig zag stitch or something similar.  

Now turn right side out - and put your corn bag inside.

Heating Instructions

Microwave for 2 - 3 minutes depending on how warm you want it.

You can start with 2 minutes and work up from there. Do NOT over heat because you can scorch the corn and then it's ruined. And you know what burnt corn smells like.. Yuck!

Also, keep in mind that the corn initially has moisture in it. So the first 5 or so times that you use it - it will feel slightly damp when it comes out of the microwave and it will have a slight smell. But trust me - both the smell and the moisture go away after a few uses.

And I know a few people who really like the smell - I'm not a fan. But my love for the warm corn bag out weighs my dislike for the smell.

If you have questions - please let me know. And - as always - if you make one, I'd love to hear what you think.

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