Headache Relief with DIY Freezer Bags

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Headaches suck. I've suffered from them since I was a little girl and they are the worst. Now, my kids are starting to get headaches and it's bumming me out. Although my headaches aren't classified as migraines any more, I still get severe headaches about once a month. They are caused by allergies, stress, caffeine, and pretty much if people look at me the wrong way. Although I have medicine that I take, there is one thing that I always turn to when I need headache relief. Someone made me a DIY freezer bag when I was in college to help me with my headaches. And I have used it ever since. Now with the kids needing headache relief too, I decided that we needed to make more of these bags and that you might benefit from them too. I'll be honest, there had been fights over who got to use the freezer bag. Read on for the tutorial. If you don't know how to sew (like me!) grab a friend who does!

My original freezer bag has always been referred to as “the cats” because of the material that was used. Which had cartoon cats all over it. We still refer to these bags as “the cats” even though they use cuter printed fabric. You can call your bags whatever you like. They are really easy to make and require really basic sewing skills. I had my mother-in-law come over to help me and we made 3 at once. You will probably also want to make more than one. My kids use them all the time. Of course they grab one when they need headache relief but they also use it if they bump their heads, etc. I love that it is non-medicinal and helps them to find comfort. Aside from fabric, a sewing machine and some scissors, you also need unpopped popcorn. Most headache sufferers know that using something cold on their forehead can be really soothing. But what I love most about these DIY freezer bags is the weight. The bags are fairly heavy and the pressure helps to relieve a little bit of the pain from the headache. It's pretty amazing. When we only had one of these bags, I would suffer through a minor headache at night because I wasn't sure if the headache would worsen and I'd need “the cats” more in the morning. I don't know what took me so long to make more bags. Because now I use them all the time! Essentially, you are creating a small rectangular shaped pillow. Except instead of stuffing it with batting, you'll add your popcorn. My mother-in-law was able to whip these out super fast on the sewing machine. You'll sew all three sides and then leave a small opening on the fourth side where you'll add your popcorn. Then grab a funnel and add your corn.And once you have filled your bag, you'll just need to close up the filling hole. Thinking about it now, I should have added a zipper so that these bags could be washed from time to time. I keep them in a bag in the freezer but they could still probably benefit from a clean up…If you are an advanced sewer and want to attempt this, do it. Otherwise, you'll be fine. You just may want to make these again in a few years.
Now we fight over who gets to use what pattern, but there is one for each of us. 
These DIY freezer bags for headache relief are one of my favorite things in life. I used them twice this week due to headaches. If you suffer from migraines or terrible headaches, you need to make these! These are perfect size and weight for kids and adults. Definitely make more than one. They are so great to have on hand!

Supplies:

• (2) pieces of fabric that are 10 3/4″ x 6″ (which includes 1/2″ for seams)
• 28 ounces of unpopped popcorn
• Sewing machine and someone to work it…

Instructions:

• Face fabric pieces together so that right side of the fabric is facing the other right side of the fabric.
• You can pin the pieces together before sewing if that is your preference.
• Sew all sides making sure to leave a 1 inch opening (approximately) on one of the short sides where you'll add the popcorn.
• Turn the fabric right side out.
• With a funnel, add unpopped popcorn.
• Carefully, sew the remaining 1 inch opening closed.

If you are an expert sewer, consider adding a zipper and an inner muslin bag for the popcorn so you can wash the cover.

P.S. I'm really sorry you if you get headaches too. They are the pits!