Children's Rice Bags

[boheime]

I saw an adorable pattern for making bee bean bags. They are so cute. However, I was thinking if I filled them with rice instead, we could use them as rice bags for the kids.

The original instructions have them cut from felt. Can felt go in the microwave? What about the inexpensive sheets of felt you can buy at JoAnn's? I don't know how comfortable felt would be to cuddle up with, so I will probably use cotton for the body part. I could potentially use felt for the wings and stinger and maybe for the stripes on top. If that isn't safe, I will make them with cotton.

If using cotton, sewing and turning, would it be safe to put in a little stuffing? Or would that potentially melt in the microwave?

They also have plastic buttons sewn on for eyes. Again, safe or should I pass?

I think the big rice bags I made go in the microwave for about 1 1/2 minutes. These, being smaller will most likely take less time.

Thanks for any thoughts on this!
mandy

[klondikesky]

When my daughter was wee, a friend gave her a buckwheat filled warming worm (very cute caterpillar) that was made from a felt that did indeed melt in a grotesque, volcanic way in the microwave.

100% wool felt, otoh, should be fine. I would hit the thrift shops/yard sells for wool sweaters, felt them, and make the bee from that fabric. You could also use 100% wool felt (one source is www.waldorfsupplies.com), another good option, but pricier.

What I ended up making for my daughter is a longish bean bag, about the size of my forearm, out of cotton flannel, which she loves on chilly nights.