Winter Hand Warmer

The idea behind the handwarmer was to create something that you don’t usually see on people these days.

The hand warmer is a highly elegant accessory brought to the fashion world in the 16th century. It was originally made from fur, nowadays we have other options to choose from. You can use fake fur or plush. The size is kind of universal, although the muff was made for a child, my normal-sized hands fit in it as well.

Thanks to the strap you won’t need to thing about where to put it when hands are required for some activity.

If you'd like to have a set with ear warmers, the tutorial is here.

- rectangle 33 x 32 cm – outside fabric (left on the photo) – such as fake fur, I got mine at a fabric leftover store

- rectangle 33 x 32 cm – inside fabric (center on the photo) – plush or other warm material

- rectangle 33 x 32 cm – batting (right on the photo) – I used woolen batting 120 g/m2

- cotton canvas 130 x 20 cm

- 1 strap adjuster and 1 strap rectangle size 2,5 cm

- matching thread

Start by making the strap. Cut a strap 130 cm long and 10 cm and then cut a square 10 x 10 cm. Do the following steps with both: fold in half lengthwise and iron. Open, fold the long edges to the center and iron again.

Fold lengthwise in half and iron. Stitch the open long side.

From the square you now have a strap 10 cm long. Pull it through the strap rectangle, fold and stitch about 2 cm from the rectangle.

Now take the longer strap, pull is through the strap adjuster, fold one end and also stitch 2 cm from the adjuster.

Take the other end of the long strap and pull it through the strap rectangle as shown in the pictures.

Then pull this end also through the strap adjuster. Don’t stitch the end, you will later attach is to the muff.

The strap is done, you can adjust its length. Set it aside.

Now to make the muff. First place the plush on the batting, the plush should be right side up. Stitch all four sides.

Place the fur on the plush right side down. That means the right sides of the plush and the fur should be facing each other. Stitch two opposite sides – the longer ones.

Turn the piece right side out, the batting should be inside now.

Now you need to join the open (unstitched) sides but only the inside ones – the plush and batting. Do not stitch the fur. Pin the edges of the inside layer together as shown in the picture and sew them together.

Turn the whole muff so that the batting is on the outside and the fur on the other. The fur is wrong side out.

Open the fur and place the strap inside. Pin the ends of the strap to the edge of the fur there where you want the strap to be attached (usually in the corner).

Pin the edges of the fur and stitch, leaving a 10 cm opening. Now your muff is wrong side out.

You need to turn it right side out through the opening. It requires patience but don’t worry, 10 cm is enough to turn it.

Close the opening using the hidden stitch (tutorial here). Your hand warmer is done.