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4 DIY Hand Warmers – How to Make + Free Pattern

My hands are always icy cold and I’m always looking for ways to keep myself warm during winter. So I have these DIY hand warmers handy. When I need to head out all I need to do it pop them in the microwave for 30 sec or less and pop them in my pockets.

I wanted to make few of these handmade hand warmers to give as gifts this year, so I created 4 shapes you can choose from. Let me show you how to make hand warmers from little scraps of fabric in just few minutes!

hands holding a diy hand warmer in a star shape

Below you will find my step by step hand warmers tutorial with VIDEO instructions for all the visual learners.

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How to make hand warmers

how to make hand warmers

Supplies and tools

supplies for diy hand warmers

Notes: Make sure that you are using 100% cotton – that includes the fabric and the thread and never heat them for more than 30 sec or without supervision!

DOWNLOAD: DIY hand warmers pattern (Free PDF file)

Follow us for free patterns & tutorials!

How To Sew Hand Warmers

how to sew hand warmers

Watch the diy hand warmer video first and then follow the written step by step instructions below.
Please enjoy and don’t forget to Like and SUBSCRIBE over on YouTube to be kept up to date with new videos as they come out.

HOMEMADE HAND WARMERS VIDEO TUTORIAL

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Download and print the hand warmers pattern

Download and print at 100% (no scale). Print the pattern pages you need e.g. if you need the SQUARE hand warmer just print page #1. Round and Star are on page #2 and the HEART is on page #3

hand warmers pattern

STEP 2: Cut fabric

Cut out 2 fabric pieces for each hand warmer.

Decide whether you want to leave the edges raw (flannel doesn’t fray and it sews up faster) or not (slower but neater).

If you’ll leave the edges raw, you can use pinking shears to cut the fabric. I’ll show you both ways.

HEART, ROUND and STAR have raw edges, SQUARE does not.

cutting out fabrics for diy hand warmers

STEP 3: Pin

Pin the fabric pieces together and leave a 1/4 inch gap for filling the hand warmer with rice.

– pin WRONG sides together to make them faster (STAR, HEART and ROUND)
– OR –
-pin RIGHT sides together for NO raw edges (SQUARE)

diy hand warmers stitching lines

STEP 4: Stitch

Sew around using a 1/4 seam allowance.

STEP 5: (OPTIONAL) Turn inside out

ONLY if you pinned RIGHT sides together
Clip the corners and turn the square inside out. Push out the corners using something pointy like your scissors or a pencil.

STEP 6: Fill

Fill with about 3/4 cup of uncooked rice. Use a small funnel to make the process easier.

filling diy hand warmers with rice

TIP: If you don’t have a small funnel, you can make one out of paper. Here’s what it looks like:

using a paper funnel to fill up a diy hand warmer with rice

STEP 7: Pin

Pin the gap using a couple of pins. Be careful not to spill the rice.

all diy hand warmers pinned and ready to sew

STEP 8: Stitch

Push the rice as far from the opening as possible. I’d like to use a pin or two to keep the rice in place and to make machine stitching the gap easier.

If you prefer, you can close the gap shut by hand. Use whip stitch or ladder stitch.

heart shaped hand warmers diy

That’s it your DIY hand warmer ready! Pop it in the microwave for half a minute on high and enjoy!

STEP 9: (OPTIONAL) Tie a ribbon

Take two of the hand warmers and tie them with a golden or silver ribbon. Make a little bow to turn these cute handmade hand warmers into a practical gift. Great for a stocking stuffer or as a token of appreciation for the neighbors.

reusable hand warmer with gift tag

How to use hand warmers:

  1. Store them in a handy basket near the microwave or the door
  2. Pop them in the microwave, turn it on high and heat for 25-30 seconds.
  3. Let them cool for a few moments
  4. Shake them a bit to distribute the heat evenly
  5. Pop them in your pockets and enjoy

homemade reusable hand warmers in a gift box

Do you like this? Pin for later:

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Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 26 comments
Elaine De Rue - December 29, 2020

Thank you for the patterns. I will use them as Christmas ornaments stuffed with craft filling and adding a ribbon hanger. I will be using Christmas fabric to make them..

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    Helen - December 30, 2020

    That’s a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing

    Reply
Lisa | Handmade in Israel - December 31, 2020

Such a lovely idea! I should make these for my husband’s feet when he gets into bed at night!!!

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    Helen - January 2, 2021

    That’s a cool idea 🙂

    Reply
Penny Zeller - January 1, 2021

Love this idea! Stopping by from Create with Joy Inspire Me Monday. Have a wonderful New Year.

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Cindy - January 1, 2021

I’m trying to take walks outside regardless of the weather these days, and I love the idea of reusable hand warmers. How long do these stay warm? Doesn’t the rice “cook” in the microwave?

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    Roberta Stevens - March 5, 2021

    No, it doesn’t, because there is no moisture and it isn’t in that long.

    Reply
Julie - January 2, 2021

I made some hand warmers back in the autumn, they are just the best thing aren’t they? I love all your different shapes, great for a quick and thoughtful gift.

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Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs - January 3, 2021

What a lovely idea and great for gifts too. 🙂

Thanks so much for sharing with #MMBC.

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Kelly - January 5, 2021

I love the idea of having reusable hand warmers! Such a great project. Thanks for laying it all out and sharing on the Homestead Blog Hop.

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    Helen - January 5, 2021

    Thank you for visiting, Kelly. I’m glad you liked them. They are so cute and so useful

    Reply
Tracy Albiero - January 6, 2021

I LOVE THIS!!!!! My mom is always cold at night. This is a great way to warm her up! You are my favorite pick for #trafficjamweekend. Thank you so much for sharing this!

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Jennifer Dynys - January 6, 2021

Such a sweet and useful little gift idea! Thank you for sharing with us at Embracing Home and Family!

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    Helen - January 6, 2021

    Thank you Jennifer, I’m so happy you liked it! Indeed it is a very useful little gift

    Reply
Kimberly - January 7, 2021

Thank you for sharing this on Traffic Jam Weekend! It has been chosen as a fave feature for this week’s party that goes live on Thursday at 5:00 pm CST.

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Claire Rocks - January 8, 2021

I love how simple and handy these are. Think i’ll have to make some while im in lockdown. Thanks for sharing

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Lorna Holland - January 9, 2021

These are so cute! I always have cold hands so figure I should give these a go #pocolo

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Kaycee - January 9, 2021

These are great! Thank you for sharing the pattern and tutorial! I love that you detailed the instructions so well and the pictures are fantastic! I chose your for my feature on Wonderful Wednesdays this week at My Crafty Zoo! Loving your site and exploring today! Got a new sewing machine and I’m excited to try out some new patterns and projects!

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Ann - January 10, 2021

I use these all the time, but I love the star shape! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.

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    Helen - January 22, 2022

    Right! They are seriously a lifesaver for me and my cold hands

    Reply
Naush Samama - January 11, 2021

I love these hand warmers ! Surely going to try to make a few.
Wishing you good health and happiness in the new year!
Thank you for sharing with us at Meraki Link Party.
Much love and see you again.
Naush

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NINA LEWIS - January 12, 2021

My hands are always cold, too! I think I need to make a whole flock of these cute warmers!

I’m going to feature this at our Party in Your PJs tonight on my Grandma Ideas site. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful idea!

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    Helen - January 22, 2022

    I hope you love these hand warmers, Nine! They work great.

    Reply
Shelbee on the Edge - January 13, 2021

This might be the most brilliant idea ever! I have used similar rice bags for neck pillows and such but never as hand warmers. And my hands are always cold, too. I suffer from Raynaud’s disease and the cold extremities can become quite brutal in the winter months. I am going to need to make me some of these! Thanks for sharing and linking with me, my friend!

Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

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Kerryanne - January 14, 2021

What a practical and pretty way to keep your hands warm Helen. I must remember to make some of these when winter rolls around again in Australia.
Thank you for sharing your handmade hand warmers at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I’m delighted to be featuring them at the party tomorrow and pinning too.
Hugs,
Kerryanne

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Stephanie 139a - January 14, 2021

I’ve pinned this one -it’s going on my ‘to make list’ – thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo

Reply

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