If you want a small and simple project for the upcoming winter events, especially Bonfire Night, then this will be a great craft for you. Cute little hand warmers are simple to make but effective in keeping the cold away. All you need to do is heat your hand-warmer up for 30-50 seconds in the microwave and then have nice toasty hands for a good hour or two!
You will need:
Pins
Paper (10cmx10cm)
Pen
Ruler
Rice
Sewing machine or a needle and thread
The Craft Cotton Company’s cotton print
Firstly, make your template:
First, make your paper template. Mine was 10cm x 10cm.
On the template, put 4 dots in each corner, 7mm away from the edges.
Draw around the template on the wrong-side of the fabric and cut out two of these.
If you are using a sewing machine:
If you are using a sewing machine, place the template on the right-side of the pieces of fabric. Puncture the paper where the dots are and leave a mark on the fabric.
Draw a light line connecting the dots around the edge of the fabric.
Pin the pieces wrong-sides together so that the edges line up.
Get a pair of pinking shear scissors and cut around the edges of the fabric, making sure to leave a 2mm gap between the light line and where you cut.
Sew along the 3 lines to make an open topped bag and on the 4th stop 2/3’s of the way.
Pour rice into the gap at the top of the gap until it is almost full. Don’t fill it all the way to the top.
Pin the fabric to close the gap to stop the rice falling out. Sew the gap closed.
If you are hand sewing:
If you are hand stitching, place the template on the wrong-side of the pieces of fabric.
Puncture the paper where the dots are and leave a mark on the fabric.
Draw a light line connecting the dots around the edge of the fabric.
Pin the pieces right-sides together so that the edges line up.
Use a running stitch to then sew along the lines. Sew along the 3 lines to make an open topped bag and on the 4th stop 2/3 of the way (make sure you don’t cut off the thread).
Turn the bag inside out so that the right-sides are facing outward.
Pour rice into the gap at the top of the gap until it is almost full. Don’t fill it all the way to the top.
Fold the edges of the gap inwards and place a pin to stop the rice falling out and to keep the edges in line. Close the gap using a running stitch. Where you seal the gap, the stiches will show so make sure it’s neat and tight!
If you are hand stitching and want a zig-zag edge, follow the instructions for when using the sewing machine (above). If you choose to use that method then make sure that your stitches are very close together as rice could fall out.
Finally:
Place in the microwave for around 30-50 seconds. Enjoy warm hand for the winter!
© by Raeven Erin for The Craft Cotton Company 2015