Arm cushion baby pillow for holding and easy feeding

In Stitches _ _ _

Hand Warmers

The days are now getting very cold and I’m sure you are looking at ways to keep you and your family warm when you venture outdoors.

Here is a quick and easy project to keep your hands warm over the cold winter months.

{The more advanced sewers can take this to another level; use different shapes, add appliqué or embroider a neat design onto the fabric before sewing together.}

Choose a natural fibre. You will have to heat (and reheat) the hand warmers in a microwave. Alternatively, you can warm them on the radiator.  So to be sure the fabric isn’t going to get damaged through the heating process, stick to cotton or linen which will also help to retain the heat a little longer.

Equipment

- 2x 4 inch (10 cm) squares of cotton fabric 

- 2x 4 inch (10cm) squares of thin flannel or felt.

- 2.5 oz (70g) rice or millet grain

- Cotton thread (I prefer Gütterman)

Lay the fabric pieces together.

The flannel goes at the bottom, the cotton, right side facing up; the 2nd piece of cotton, wrong side up goes next and finally, the 2nd piece of flannel.

Hand or Machine sew ¼ inch (approx. 0.5cm) in from the edge, starting from a third of the way from one side, all the way around the square, finishing about a third of the way of the first side, leaving a gap to pour in the grain.  Use stitch length 2 or if sewing by hand, a backstitch seam to keep your grains contained in the hand warmer.

Snip off the corners and turn the fabric the right side out. Get a neat corner, to achieve this use a chopstick (or something of a similar nature) to push out the corners.

Pour the grain into your bag and top stitch the opening closed, use a ladder stitch if sewing by hand.

Note:

Most fabric retailers are happy to sell fabric in 10cm lengths. I’ve also used an old tea towel, a sock and denim from old jeans.  Some qualities of of fleece will work well on this project, but check with your retailer for advice.

You can make the hand warmer from a plain calico (cotton fabric) and sew a warm layer that acts like a pocket for your wheat bag, (a sock or a knitted wooly cover) which will be useful to protect the wheat bag from getting grubby.

To make a sock cover; 

Cut above the heel of the sock; sew a stretch seam along the bottom opening where the foot part has been removed.  The opening at the top can remain as an opening, and it's conveniently ribbed and will close over your wheat bag, or in the case of my son, he's tucked his hands into each sock and wrapped his hands around the wheat bag inside.

 The sock can be microwaved, but I’ve inserted a small bag of grains in at the top opening. Warm the bags for 30 seconds for a toasty hand warmer.

I’m sure you’ve got some great ideas that you would love to share.

Notes:

The wheat bags will release moisture in their first few uses, don't be alarmed, as you use it more, it will dry out.

Do not overheat the bags, you will burn your hands! Children's hands have a tendency to burn more easily than adults!  Test your warmer, heating it gradually, particularly if you have changed the quantity used.

You cannot wash the hand warmers, the wheat and rice absorb the water and they are no longer usable as hand warmers - and they're probably a sloshy mess by this point.

Different grains release different smells; rice on the whole, has no smell.  You can add either lavender or rose petals to the grain.  Alternatively, drop essential oils on to the bag to release scents when they are warm.

These warmers will be perfect for little ones over the winter.  A drop or two of eucalyptus oil will release smells to relive sinus blockages in a safe and comforting way. Sew a loop of ribbon onto the bag and hang it off the corner of the cot / bed but away from little hands.

Finally; Please do not give these bags to small children.  The grains can overheat, or spill if the bag tears open.  Essential oils irritate skin, and eyes.

Happy Sewing!