DIY Personalized Hand Warmers

We live in Toronto Canada where it gets pretty cold. Some nights we're at -40C! Brrr! We have snow pants, mitts, warm jackets, toques, scarves, and boots. However, sometimes you just need a little bit of extra warmth for your hands. We try not to let the cold keep us from going out and enjoying the winter weather.
The best part about these hand warmers? They are easy to make, fun to use, and won't break your budget.

Gather Your Materials

To make these hand warmers, you need:

Scrap fabric for the hand warmers
Scrap fabric for the personalized initial
Sewing supplies: Thread, sewing machine (or needle and thread), Scissors, Pinking Shears (optional)
Funnel (optional)
Rice

The fabric should be 100% cotton as these will go into the microwave. I chose to use flannel for added warmth. This project is so small that you could probably get away with buying 1/8th of a metre from the store if you don't have any scrap fabric.

Cut Your Fabric and Sew on the Applique

While it's not necessary to personalize a hand warmer, if you're giving them out as gifts and using the same fabric, it's nice to know whose is whose!

Cut 2 pieces of fabric that are 3" x 6". In a contrasting fabric, cut out your desired initials
Fold the 3" x 6" pieces with the wrong sides facing inwards. Press.
Centre your initial on one side of the fold and sew using a straight stitch. I used a jersey fabric that doesn't fray. If you choose a fraying fabric, zig zag the initial onto the fabric.

Put It Together

Sew around the perimeter of your square but leave a 1" opening. Reinforce your stitch at the opening. You're almost done!

Fill It Up

Fill the square with rice using the opening. Use the funnel to make it easier or if you don't have a funnel, use a rolled up piece of paper. I used a little less than 3 tbsp of rice.
Pin the opening and sew it shut. Back stitch over the opening to ensure it's extra strong.

Final Touches

Here's where pinking shears can be used to make a decorative trim around the hand warmer. You could also do a zig zag stitch around the whole square if you don't have pinking shears.
Ta da! You're done!

Make Some More

I couldn't resist making some more. I made some without initials and some with initials. I like having the initials, especially if you're going to make a lot of them.

My kids are using them as bean bags when they are inside the house. Outside the house, we use these to warm up our pockets. Microwave on a microwave safe plate for 20-30s. Handle with care as these will be hot!

Enjoy!