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9/25/11
Homemade Handwarmers
Handwarmers are a great gift for anyone who lives in a colder climate. These are perfect for heating up as you walk out the door and placing in your coat pockets. They would be great for children, teachers, coworkers, neighbors, even the mail delivery man.
I do not get along with sewing machines. But this easy to make gift can be sewn by hand or by machine.
The key to making successful handwarmers, is to use cotton fabric. Do not use felt, silk, or any other type of fabric, as they may melt or burn in the microwave.
Jan's tip: To save time: look for pre-cut packages of quilt squares to use for the handwarmers. (Walmart and other fabric stores have cute combinations that coordinate with each other already cut. ) The handwarmers above were from a package of quilt squares from the Walmart fabric dep't. and I chose to use a different fabric on the front than the back, as shown above.
Instructions:
1) Cut 4 inch squares from desired cotton material
2) Place them right sides together, wrong sides out.
3) Using needle and thread sew squares together using a blanket stitch, running stitch or whatever stitch you choose, but leave a 1 1/2 inch opening to fill the warmers. ( I used an overlapping running stitch , starting my next stitch a little bit back over the previous stitch to ensure no gaps occurred anywhere.)
4) Using the 1 1/2 inch opening, reverse the fabric so it is now right sides out. Use a pencil though the opening to help make sure the corners are completely pushed out.
5) using a funnel, fill the warmers with rice, but not all the way to the top, do not over fill.
6) Using needle and thread stitch the 1 1/2 inch opening closed using as discreet a stitch as possible (ladder stitch would work) .
7) Tie two handwarmers together with a ribbon and attach a tag that reads: "Heat in microwave for 1-2 minutes. Place a cup of water in microwave beside the handwarmer while heating for best results." ( This helps the long term life of the rice from drying out and scorching over time from repeated use.)
Labels:
Crafty
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Such a great idea! You are being featured at Meet Me Monday! Party starts at 8! Hope to see you there! Love, Me www.youaretalkingtoomuch.com
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm glad you like them! I will be at your Meet Me Monday! Party @ www.youaretalkingtoomuch.com
ReplyDeleteI look forward to it!
I have used rice bags on my neck and back, even given them as gifts, for years. Hand warmers never occurred to me....what a wonderful idea!! Thank you so much for sharing your idea at You're talking too much!! Take care, VBg
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely - such a fun and bright idea I love them! You have done an amazing job on these - i want to make some for Christmas!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Tip Junkie
Lowri
http://papervinenz.blogspot.com/
I'm a mail carrier and I would be giddy if one of my customers gave me these! Thank you for remembering us... People often forget how difficult and cold our job can be in the winter and this would definitely brighten any mail carriers day = )
ReplyDeleteDanielle, so glad you took the time to send me a comment!
DeleteHugs,
Jan
I'm a mail carrier and I would be giddy if one of my customers gave ... crockpotcarrier.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI deliver newspapers, I am with you 100%!
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