Baby it’s cold outside, but at least your hands can be warm. On cold mornings, you can warm your hands with these pocket-size rice-filled bags. Just 20 seconds in the microwave and the warmers are ready to go. If you made any flannel projects or gifts recently, you probably have scraps big enough to make some warmers.

Supplies:
¼ yard each of two coordinating flannel fabrics (wash, dry and iron before cutting)
1 cup uncooked rice

Cutting Instructions:

4 – 5 1/2” x 5 1/2” squares from main flannel fabric
2 – 5 1/2” x 8” rectangles from coordinating flannel

Instructions:

1. Fold the 5 1/2” x 8” rectangles in half, wrong-side together to form 5 1/2” x 4” pockets. Press.

2. Place one pocket piece on the right-side of one of the 5 1/2” squares. Line up raw edges. The pocket folded edge will be 1 1/2” down from the main fabric edge.
3. Place a second 5 1/2” square right-side facing down.
4. Pin the three layers together.

5. Stitch with a 1/2” seam allowance around the sides leaving a 2” wide opening. Hint: leave the opening along the edge of the square that is only 2 fabric layers thick.
6. Clip the corners.

7. Turn right-side out. Push the corners out using a point turner or chopstick.
8. Press.

9. Add ½ cup of rice. A funnel helps.
10. Pin the opening closed to keep rice grains out of your sewing machine.
11. Edge stitch across the opening.
Photo above is a close up of the edge stitching
12. Repeat the process to make the second hand warmer.

Heating Instructions:
Place both hand warmers in a microwave on high heat for 20 seconds. Shake the hand warmers to distribute the warmed rice. For first time use in a particular microwave, carefully check the temperature of the pocket before placing all fingers inside.