You're right - that outfit was not crying out for a belt - but my nerve-twanging lower back was SCREAMING LOUDLY for it after a morning at the chiropractor. The belt holds a wheat bag - heated in the microwave and held snugly to soothe and relax tramatised muscles.
I've been thinking about making this since I hurt my back* two weeks ago, and now I'm wishing I'd made it two weeks ago.
*I was just walking across a room.... Lara was witness to it if you don't believe me!
The process is quite simple. 1. Take a scrap of any stretchy fabric (something soft and fluffy would be nice, but I only had cotton-lycra jersey) and sew a tube shape about 20-25cm wide and long enough to go around your waist and tie.
You might have noticed that I overlocked mine in black thread. This wasn't a design feature - just sheer laziness on my part.
2. Fold one end in thirds, overlapping and threading it through two large o-rings.
3. I then overlocked the end (in black again...) through all layers of the folded end and stitched it.....
...right through all layers of fabric to the front of the belt. You might choose a different finish - but it has to hold two rings.
4. Whip up a quick wheat bag - about 40cm x 15cm - sew, turn through, fill with wheat grains and machine stitch closed.
Yes - you should sit and relax, or have a little lie down.
4. Whip up a quick wheat bag - about 40cm x 15cm - sew, turn through, fill with wheat grains and machine stitch closed.
If you need a more detailed tutorial for a basic wheat bag, I'm sure there'll be one somewhere online. Most of you should be able to work it out, though,... won't you?
5. Pop the wheatbag in the microwave for a couple of minutes.
6. Fold back the tube of the belt so that you can put the wheatbag close to the buckle end. Roll the belt over the top of the wheat bag.
7. Wrap it around your hip/waist/shoulders and do up the belt. Adjust the wheatbag to cover the aching/nerve-twanging bits and ....
7. Wrap it around your hip/waist/shoulders and do up the belt. Adjust the wheatbag to cover the aching/nerve-twanging bits and ....
Yes - you should sit and relax, or have a little lie down.
I sat at a sewing machine and got on with the rest of the to-do list.... ummmmm....which I think is why my back is still sore after two weeks.
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PS. Special thanks to Cam for being fashion photographer and for putting up with my whining about pinched nerve pains.
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Oh - and don't forget that if you wanted to take advantage of our MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL, you have two days left. We're giving a free frame away with most of our purse kits. See here for details.
Very stylish for a medical accessory! So sorry about your back. Get someone to prescribe you some appropriate stretches and do them just as often as you are told. We all need you well and working - and you don't need to be working in pain. (I know pain, and it erodes your brain power, not fun)
ReplyDeleteTAKE CARE of yourself!
Cheers,
AJ
There's nothing worse than a sore back. I love the wheat bag belt, I could use something like that from time to time. Maybe you could look into some way of incorporating a wheat bag into a bustle?
ReplyDeleteOuch - hope you feel better soon. Back pain is a nightmare. Make sure you get up from that sewing machine often and move about even if you don't want to. That wheat cushion belt looks like a great idea.
ReplyDeleteWhat a stylish way to handle back pain!
ReplyDeleteHope yours is feeling better soon.
Andi :-)
Just totally wonderful- I'm sure it will ease the twitches - I think this will be a popular little product! Hope it has already worked the magic.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to work out how to make something similar for the neck, but not sure how to avoid strangulation...but this is a winner an I'll be making one pronto.
ReplyDeleteVery clever. The amount of times I have needed one of your belts and have resorted to stuffing the bag into my tracksuit pants is countless. Hope yours is feeling better soon.
ReplyDeletePS the black overlocking made me laugh. You can't let the colour of a thread get in the way of a good idea.
NIkki, you are amazing..theres a need and just invent something so wonderful...!!!
ReplyDeleteBUT !!! You must look after yourself or there will be nothing left of you when show time comes around. or when worst secret in the blogosphere is revealed...
That's brilliant! Wish I'd had one of these after my wee girl was born - would've helped so much with my sciatica!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you've hurt your back! Why is it that the most painful injuries happen in the most commonplace ways? Not only are you hurting, but you can't even tell a good story about how you got hurt!
ReplyDeleteYour belted heating pad is absolute GENIUS, though!! I linked to your tutorial over at Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sew-a-belted-heating-pad/2010/04/06/
--Anne
Oh gosh, I can sympathise on the sore back. I don't have one at the moment, but a couple of times a year I have to reach for the heat bag.
ReplyDeleteYou poor thing - hope it's feeling better soon!
Poor you with a sore back. I have been known to belt a hot water bottle to my back (and I am greatly ridiculed for it). This would stay on much easier and of course looks much more stylish.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better soon x
Good idea. My back is so bad I am considering the 'operation', but until then, I might use your idea. xxNick
ReplyDeleteThis idea works a treat especially with heat! However, take it that one extra step. If any of you have any lavender oil, sprinkle a couple of drops on the wheat bag after heating. The heat brings out the essential oil. Healing properties are great, it smells wonderful, and relaxes the muscles concerned and you. Be aware though, if you are pregnant or you think you could be, please don't use lavender oil. As with any essentail oils, please read labels and see if it is for you. I use this principle with my children to calm them down at bed time, and get a good nights sleep. Works a treat.
ReplyDeleteI could use one of those – some days I could use a whole jacket set up like that! I hope you are on the mend soon.
ReplyDeleteexcellent idea, I need one of these!
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain!! Looks way hotter than the white thing the physio sold me! Reminds me of the wrap a chinese grocer wore to carry her little baby girl around the stall at the Vic Market.
ReplyDeleteYours looks great...I've done many, many of these, and am using 2 as I sit here. Yep, bad back, along with fibromyalgia pains. love my packs cause it helps the sore, achy, tight muscles. Also have 2 in the freezer. If you are in pain, you might want to try a cold pack like this Just a reminder. DO NOT put the holder in the microwave with the belt buckle. Or, make a buckle out of fabric loops, like a belt loop. Also make sure the microwave is clean otherwise you may burn it. Hope your back feels better soon!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this idea. Absolutely brilliant! I often use a hot pack on my back but get frustrated when I'm not sitting still (often). You're a genius!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Nikki. Sorry to hear about your back though. It sounds kinda weird, but maybe it's a virus?? I had the exact same thing strike me down in January. I couldn't get out of bed for 2 weeks. It was excruciating. And all I did was stand up (just like you walking). Then a week after I got better it happened to my husband out of the blue too. Neither of us have a history of back problems.Since then I've heard of the same thing happening to a few others. My MIL says it's a virus... who knows, but it's certainly strange.
ReplyDeleteHope you're over it very soon. Take care.
Looking forward to catching up at Melbourne S&C. I'm sure you're more prepared than me!