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    Home » Holidays » Christmas

    Simple Hand Warmer Tutorial

    Updated: Jan 18, 2022 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 10 Comments

    Let me introduce you to the next of our fantastic team of blog contributors, Liz of Simple Simon and Company. She is here today to help you get a head start on your Christmas gift sewing with this Simple Hand Warmer Tutorial! If you like this project then you may also like this Mini Christmas Stockings tutorial. 

    Simple Hand Warmer Tutorial from Simple Simon and Co. A great handmade holiday gift idea! How to make handwarmers. #christmasgiftidea #christmas #holidays #handwarmers #easydiygift

    Hello Polka Dot Chair readers! I’m liZ, one of the two Elizabeth’s from over at Simple Simon and Company and I am super excited to hang out over here every once in awhile on Melissa’s amazing site!

    Today I am sharing a simple tutorial for a project that is perfect for the cold weather ahead….hand warmers!

     

    We love hand warmers at our house and take them with us on winter walks, caroling, and even slide them into our packets when we are out playing in the snow.

    They are great scrap busting projects, good for first time sewing projects (especially for younger sewists), and make cute neighbor gifts. Sooooo…with all that said let’s get started!

    Supplies:

    All you will need for this project is:

    *Two fabric squares cut into 5″ squares

    *About a cup and a half of rice

    *Basic sewing notions

    Construction:

    And to make them all you have to do is follow these easy steps:

    #1. Cut two pieces of fabric into 5″ squares

    #2. Place squares on top of each with right sides together and stitch around the perimeter of the square leaving about a one inch opening on one side. (The opening will be used for turning and filling.)

    #3. Using your opening, pull your fabric so that the right side of the fabric is now on the outside. (You can press if desired.)

    *Note: You can insert a pencil or chopstick through the opening to help you turn your fabric and to push the corners out nice and crisp. Just be careful not to poke through your fabric!

    #4. Using the opening fill your hand warmer with rice until it feels nice and full.

    #5. Hand stitch the opening closed.

    *Note: You can stitch the opening closed on your machine….however you run the risk of the rice falling out and into your machine….so this method is not recommended.

    And you are done!

    Thanks Melissa for having us over today!

    Other fun Projects by Simple Simon & Co.

    For more simple projects that are great for beginners you can check out these great projects:

    (They are a few of our favorites.)

    How to Make a Oversized Gingham Baby Quilt

    How to Poinsettia Throw Pillows

    and this tutorial that always comes in handy…How To Bind A Quilt

     

    We are Elizabeth and Elizabeth, two girls who married brothers and ended up with the exact same name.  We are also the same age, both former school teachers, have the same number of children, live in the same county, have dogs rescued from the pound, and share a love for sewing, quilting and the art of homemaking.

    Together we blog over at Simple Simon and Company where we get the opportunity to share tips, tricks, tutorials, recipes, and thoughts with our readership.

    More Projects You May Enjoy

    • How to Make a Retro Diorama Ornament
    • How to Make String Christmas Ornaments
    • Hot Chocolate Christmas Neighbor Gift Idea
    • Peeking Rudolph Christmas Pillow Pattern

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    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Patti McGarry says

      November 02, 2017 at 10:43 am

      I have the same question..how long do we heat them for? Great gift idea!

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        November 13, 2017 at 11:51 am

        About 30-60 seconds depending on how warm you like them.

        Reply
    2. Garlynda says

      November 02, 2017 at 11:46 am

      I know you heat in microwave but for how long??

      Reply
    3. Adoree says

      November 02, 2017 at 2:18 pm

      What a great stocking stuffer but where are the directions for heating these?

      Reply
    4. TIna says

      November 02, 2017 at 10:48 pm

      15 to 20 seconds is what I heat them on. these are also really good to put in the freezer and use in the place of ice packs. I use them for sinus or migraine headaches.

      Reply
      • Katie says

        January 13, 2018 at 7:23 am

        Actually cotton doesn’t hold the heat as well as some other fabrocs like flannel or fleece with cotton interior lining

        Reply
    5. Pattie says

      November 22, 2017 at 6:14 am

      The fabric needs to be 100% cotton and the thread also correct?

      Reply
    6. Susan says

      December 10, 2017 at 11:03 pm

      I’m getting ready to make a couple of sets for gifts. Can instant rice be used?

      Reply
    7. Jennifer says

      November 11, 2018 at 11:17 am

      How long do they hold heat? I’m getting ready to make them as gifts and figured I’ll make some for myself for the upcoming high school football games 🙂

      Reply
      • Connie says

        January 27, 2020 at 8:23 am

        From the heating and holding in your hands, they stay a little warm. You can slip them inside the palm of your gloves too

        Reply

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    I’m Melissa. I like to design things, like fabric, printables, and projects.

    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

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