Sewing hand warmers: This guide with a free pattern is perfect for sewing beginners. Filled with rice, grains, or seeds, these little heat packs are popular companions for cold days.
The most important things at a glance
- Hand warmers are small, reusable pillows filled with grains, rice, or seeds
- You can heat them up in the oven, on a radiator, or in the microwave
- Both the hand warmer and the cover are sewn from cotton fabrics
- Sewing time: approx. 30 min.
Everyone needs something warm...
Strolls through a glittering winter wonderland are something beautiful, don't you think? To keep your hands nice and warm while doing so, you could, for example, sew a cozy muff. Or you can fight cold hands with a stroller muff. Then you can use this guide to sew a hand warmer for your stroller.
A heat variant that I particularly like are small heat packs that you heat up briefly in the microwave before a walk and then tuck into your jacket pocket.
You are surely familiar with those gel-filled hand warmers, right? They are heated in hot water and then hold their heat for quite a while. Once the gel has cooled down, it can be reheated by a metal chip floating inside the gel.
The gel heated this way hardens, but can be liquefied again if it is placed in hot water.
To be honest, I find self-sewn pocket warmers much more appealing.
And perhaps you are like me and still have a few cherry pits left over from sewing a cherry pit pillow? Then get started and turn them into something wonderfully practical! :)
How does a self-sewn hand warmer work?
The great thing about self-sewn hand warmers: They are completely natural, stimulate the sense of touch as a fidget toy, and can be warmed up in no time in the microwave, in the oven, or even on the radiator.
If you fill them with cherry pits, like I do, they are also easy to wash.
In this guide, I will show you how to sew them. In addition to the pattern for the pocket warmers, I am also providing you with a pattern for a quick cover made from cotton fabric.
Why should I sew a hand warmer?
Self-sewn hand warmers are much more environmentally friendly than store-bought gel-filled pocket warmers. You can heat them up in a flash in the microwave. Pocket warmers make wonderful gifts and are also super popular as party favors at children's birthdays.
For me, however, it is simply a beautiful feeling to be able to give my loved ones something warm to take with them when they leave the house. :)
By the way, when gently warmed, these small heat pillows are also perfect as a hot water bottle replacement in a baby crib.
Sewing hand warmers: Which material is suitable for filling?
Pocket warmers can be filled with many materials. However, you should choose a filling material that retains heat for as long as possible.
In my experience, things that feel nice, like buckwheat or rice (even rice pudding rice works!), don't stay warm for quite as long.
Cherry pits* or rapeseed* hold heat quite well; depending on the amount, the hand warmers can definitely hold heat for half an hour. Long enough for a walk to school or a stroll in the fresh air.
Depending on your preferences, you can also try grape seeds* or currant seeds*.
What fabrics can be used to sew the heat pillow?
Easy-care, robust fabrics like cotton or canvas are ideal. Densely woven linen is also a good alternative. Because they require so little fabric, this project is also great for using up fabric scraps or upcycling old jeans.
Can the hand warmer be washed?
That depends on the filling. While cherry pit pillows can be washed well by hand, pillows filled with grains cannot be washed. Therefore, I recommend that you sew a cover.
How can you heat up the hand warmer?
There are various ways you can heat up the hand warmer quickly and easily. The simplest: just place it on the radiator 30 minutes before you need it.
If it needs to be faster, you can also use the help of technology. ;)
How is a hand warmer heated in the oven?
Heat pillows can be heated while lying on a plate in an oven at 100 – 150 degrees Celsius. The plate should be on the bottom rack. Duration: 5 - 10 min.
How is the hand warmer heated in the microwave?
Depending on the area of application, the pillow should be heated under a microwave cover at 400 – 500 watts. Duration: 1 min.; then let it warm through briefly, remove, knead it, and if necessary, heat it again.
Can a heat pillow burn in the microwave?
Yes, if it is overheated or if the seeds are very dry, that can certainly happen. Therefore, it is better to turn down the wattage and work with a microwave cover.
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