Stay Warm Fleece DIY Hand Warmers

Stay warm with easy fleece DIY hand warmers! It takes less than an hour to make this fun and cute hand warmer that you can gift to friends, family and co-workers. Best of all, I’ve provided the free template so you can create the exact same one. What are you waiting for? jump in and create this fun little piece with me.

Supplies needed to make your own DIY hand warmers:

• Black Fleece
• Red Stiff Felt
• White Heat Transfer Vinyl
• Gold Heat Transfer Vinyl
• Iron-on Hem Tape
• Big Needle
• Embroidery Floss
• Rotary Cutter
• Steel Rule
• Iron
• Scissors
• Hook
• Electronic Die Cutter
• Template (download here for personal use only) – PNG | PDF

Step 1. Cut your fleece to size – I cut mine to 4″ x 4″ – make sure to cut two pieces, one for the back and the front. You can add an extra 1/8″ all around if you are wanting sewing allowance as well. I used a rotary cutter with a steel rule to easily cut my pieces.

Step 2. Size the design according to your handwarmer size and cut it out using an electronic die-cutter such as a Silhouette Cameo or a Cricut Maker. I wanted extra dimension on the handwarmer so I cut the mitten part on stiff felt. If you are using any of the machines mentioned, use a deep cut blade to easily cut through the felt.

Step 3. Cut and weed the other elements on heat-transfer vinyl, making sure to mirror the design before cutting. I used white htv for the details and non-reflective gold metallic htv on the word. Make sure NOT to use foil htv as this will spark when you are trying to heat up your handwarmer in the microwave.

Step 4. Iron on the mitten details as shown in the photo, making sure to match the right and left sides to the corresponding mittens. The small iron is really handy for this!

Step 5. Now you want to iron the details on one of the fleece squares. Place all the elements first on the square to make sure they are just where you want them to go before ironing them down.

Step 6. I used a glue gun to attach my felt mittens, but you can also sew it on.

Step 7. To assemble the pillow, first use some hem tape to attach the two fleece squares together (right sides out). Use a thin strip of hem tape (around 1/8″ or so) and add it on to three sides of the square, making sure to leave one side for an opening. Iron it down with your iron until the hem tape fuses the squares together.

Step 8. Fill your pillow with rice and seal the remaining opening with hem tape.

Now you can leave it as is for a convenient and easy to make hand warmer…

Step 9. Optional. Or you can take it a step further and sew a blanket stitch all around for that extra special touch! I used a big needle and some embroidery floss to border my little pillow with a blanket stitch border. I feel this really adds to the design and makes it all the more cuter!

And you are done! Create as many DIY hand warmers as you would like to give away or stash in places so you have one ready to be heated anywhere.

Aki

Aki is an avid DIY-er, crafter and designer. She loves trying out new craft materials, processes, and learning about new ideas. She has a passion for designing printed material as well, from free cards, wallpapers and party items. Follow her crafty adventures over at mintedstrawberry.blogspot.ca where she shares DIY tutorials and free printables.