I know it is not the Christmas season yet! But, I also know that gifting handmade items take time and planning. So, I have been working on some posts for you with handmade gift ideas in mind! I hope to have one for you each week at least through November, if not into December! Let me know if these are helpful!!

Time commitment: approximately 30 minutes

Skill Level: beginning sewing skills

HANDWARMERS

For these pocket hand warmers, you will need:

• fabric (quilting cotton or flannel work well)
• scissors
• cutting mat and rotary cutter (optional but helpful)
• funnel
• rice
• embroidery floss (optional)

Instructions:

I am using a charm pack of 5” squares for ease. This one is called Sweet Nothings by Edyta Star. You can cut these any size you want, but this size fits nicely into pockets and doesn’t waste fabric.

With right sides’ of two fabric squares facing each other, cut exactly on the diagonal, making 2 sets of triangles. I like coordinating fabric so each side is different!

Begin sewing about 2/3 of the way down one short side of the triangle. Continue sewing until you’ve made it almost all the way around the triangle. Leave about 1.5” slot gap in the same short side of the triangle for the funnel to go in.

Sew each set of triangles this way. I made six sets (shown below completed).

Trim the corners off of each angle, careful not to cut into the sewn places. Inside-out each triangle, using a chop stick or something similar to poke out each corner fully.

Fill each bag with a small amount of rice using your funnel. Don’t fill it so full that you can’t sew fabric closed again.

Sew the small opening closed. Cut any stray thread pieces.

There are many ways to complete these hand warmers.

• Option one: leave them- they’re already cute!
• Option two: do a simple blanket stitch with embroidery floss around the two short sides OR all three sides.

Simple Version:

I decided to add this simple version idea as I did not make enough hand warmers for my recipients the first time!

Instead of sewing the triangles right sides together, sew them wrong sides together, leaving zig zag edging. Fill and sew closed as mentioned above. No need to inside out! These are larger, but the zig zag helps embellish and hides the closing seam.

Add a simple tag (I love using Kraft colored cardstock and a fun font) and you have an adorable gift! Use your favorite Christmas carols to set a gifting ‘theme’! Friends can warm them in the microwave and pop them into pockets for winter snow play, Christmas caroling, or shopping fun!

What do you think?