Flannel and Felt Reusable Handwarmer Tutorial

Flannel and Felt Reusable Handwarmers are a quick and easy handmade gift. Ever needed a last-minute gift to reciprocate or just to show some love and appreciation? These felt and flannel reusable hand warmers are also a quick gift that you can mass-produce and have by the door, ready to share with someone who needs their heart warmed as much as their hands. 

The felt heart embellishment adds an easy, personal touch. And they're great to make from leftover scraps, charm squares, or flannel from other projects.

I'm personally smitten with black, red, and gray flannel plaids. They're a timeless color combination that don't read "Christmas" and are good throughout the season. I used a bunch for a quilt  (actually multiple quilts with this combo) and decided to use some of the scraps for these cute, quick hand warmers. Many of these plaids are from Joann's Plaiditude collection.

Reusable Handwarmer Supplies:

• ⅛ - ¼ yard pieces of plaid flannel
• red felt for hearts (optional*)
• rice
• funnel
• sewing machine - I'm using my Baby Lock Sewing Machine
• basic sewing notions
• needle & black thread

How to Make Reusable Flannel Hand Warmers

Cut flannel scraps into pairs of 4" x 4" squares.  (The squares could match or contrast.)

From red felt cut a 1" heart for each hand warmer.

TIP: For faster production when making multiples of the same thing, do the same step for all items at the same time.

Place heart wherever desired on front flannel piece and top-stitch in place with coordinating thread. If placing in the corner, remember to leave over ¼" space away from edge for future seam allowances.

Quick tip for securing the hearts before you sew:

Use a small dab of Elmer's glue in the center of the heart to hold the heart in place. Press with a warm iron to heat-set the glue and stick the heart permanently to the flannel. This will keep the felt heart securely in place without having to use pins on such a small piece of fabric, making it much easier to stitch around the heart embellishment.

Topstitch with a matching thread around the raw edges of the heart.

 

 

Starting on one side, sew two 4" x 4" squares, right sides together, using a ¼" seam allowance on all four sides, leaving a 1" opening on the final side.

Clip the corners off all pieced warmers (careful not to clip across the seams) and turn them right-sides out. Use a blunt tip to carefully push out the corners.

Using a kitchen funnel, fill each hand warmer with 4 Tablespoons of rice. (You don't want them too full and stiff. They'll fit better into pockets if they're a little bit softer and malleable.)

Tip: before adding rice, gently press the edges of the handwarmer with an iron - especially at the opening. This will make the edges crisper and neatly tucked in, making it easier when it comes time to hand stitch the edges together to close them.

After the bags are filled with rice, use coordinating thread  and a needle to slip-stitch the edges together to close the opening. One of the beauties of using the plaid flannel is that it's easy to hide and camouflage the closing stitches.

Package a pair of hand warmers in a cellophane bag with a hand-written note explaining how to warm them in the microwave for about 30 seconds and they're ready to go!

Keep a bunch handy and ready to share with the next person who needs a little extra warmth in their life.

This post is sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing Machines. I used my super versatile Baby Lock Destiny II sewing machine to piece, quilt and bind this project, but these little projects would come together quickly on any basic sewing machine. 

If you're looking for help with finding the right sewing machine, go HERE for tips for choosing the perfect sewing machine for you. 

I have been a Baby Lock ambassador for over 6 years now and have loved every machine I’ve worked with. Baby Lock has machines ranging from simple to complex to fit your budget and your needs! You can find your nearest Baby Lock dealer here. 

You can find current machine deals and specials going on right now at Baby Lock retailers, including a great entry level machine (the Baby Lock Zest) at only $119 or financing options on higher-end machines if you're feeling ready to upgrade!   

 If you're looking for some other easy, last-minute Christmas projects, check out my felt Snowflake pillow (now that you're an expert with felt) or this super easy and popular Stocking. And if you're ready to take those warm, fuzzy flannel squares and make them into a quilt, check out how I made my simple black and red patchwork quilt.

And I've got other Last Minute Handmade Gift Ideas here!

Best of luck with all of the holiday prep!