Microwavable heating pads with organic fillers are a wonderful way to soothe sore muscles or just warm up on a cold day. Their combination of toasty warmth and good smell are a natural remedy you can enjoy every day without side effects. The rice-filled warming pad project we did here at Sew4Home is one of the most popular gift items ever featured. Most likely, it's because they're not only functional, they're also really easy to make. Everybody who makes them seems to have a favorite filler. So we thought we'd do a little testing to see if we could find out which one is best.

This very versatile tote is a little like one of those Transformer toys. You think it’s one shape, then it morphs into another – and another! Dritz Heavy Duty Snaps on both side panels let you open it wide – to a full 6” depth – or cinch it down to a handy tapered top. The two-part lining pulls up to form a clever drawstring cover, protecting the contents inside… or just adding a pop of pretty color. But the real highlight of the tote is the new 1½” Dritz Belting for the handles. You’ve probably seen this style of belting/strapping on some of your favorite casual bags, but until now, it’s been hard to find for home DIY projects. Now you can “Do it with Dritz!”

Just when you think you're the reigning Queen or King of Green – reusing and recycling your way through the day, someone rains on your parade. Stories have hit the media in recent years about everyone's favorite green choice: the reusable store grocery bag. Turns out we should be washing those things regularly or they can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Problem: if you've ever tried washing the ones you often get at the market, they start to fall apart or go as limp as week-old lettuce. Great. Then, more stories pop up that show many of these bags are coming from overseas, containing potentially unsafe levels of lead. Great x2. Time to make your own: prettier, safer, and sturdier. Reclaim your throne, Queen or King of Green! And thank you for helping to keep single-use plastics out of the world's oceans.

The cloth napkin; you simply can't ask for an easier home décor project. If you are just getting started in sewing or teaching someone new, napkins are an instant-gratification winner. If you're already a pro, they're a fast and fun project. And this time of year, when the holidays are almost upon us, they're a perfect host/hostess gift to whip out in an afternoon before your evening festivities. We kick ours up a notch with beautiful decorative stitching all around the edge and a coordinating fabric napkin ring that "ties" them altogether.