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Ideas for the Home

You are here: Home / Craft Ideas / DIY Rice Hand Warmers: A Simple Sewing Project

By Kelly Meier on November 29, 2017 9 Comments

DIY Rice Hand Warmers: A Simple Sewing Project

Craft Ideas· Gift Ideas

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These DIY rice hand warmers are a great way to use up some fabric scraps! Plus it’s the perfect beginner’s sewing project for kids or adults!

Hi there! It’s Kelly from Typically Simple and I’m back with another simple sewing project idea, but this time for the sewing machine!

These DIY rice hand warmers are a great way to use up some fabric scraps! Plus it's the perfect beginner's sewing project for kids or adults!

Last month, I shared how to make a fun felt corner bookmark which was a perfect way to introduce hand-sewing to kids.

Well this time, I’m going to share how to make rice hand warmers which is a great way to help kids start to feel comfortable using the sewing machine because it’s just all straight lines. And if you are anything like me and keep all of your fabric scraps “just in case” then this project will help you start to get rid of those!

How to Make Rice Hand Warmers

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Supplies

  • fabric
  • scissors
  • sewing machine & thread
  • rice
  • funnel
These DIY rice hand warmers are a great way to use up some fabric scraps! Plus it's the perfect beginner's sewing project for kids or adults!

Instructions

  1. Cut two pieces of fabric into squares, I made mine about 3.5 inches square.
  2. Place right sides together and sew around three sides.
  3. Continue sewing the fourth side, but stop about an inch away from the edge. This is the hole you will use to fill with rice.
  4. Snip off any extra thread and turn the hand warmers right side out.
  5. Using a funnel, fill the bags about 1/2 – 3/4 full of rice.
  6. Close up the opening by either sewing it on the machine or using a quick whip stitch.
  7. Pop the hand warmers into the microwave for about 15-20 seconds and that’s it!
These DIY rice hand warmers are a great way to use up some fabric scraps! Plus it's the perfect beginner's sewing project for kids or adults!

These would make a great handmade gift to give with a pair of warm gloves, or as a cute stocking stuffer! And using some flannel scraps would make these rice hand warmers extra cozy! Pam from The Birch Cottage created printable labels for handmade hand warmers to make giving these easy for you.

These DIY rice hand warmers are a great way to use up some fabric scraps! Plus it's the perfect beginner's sewing project for kids or adults!
Can you make hand warmers without sewing?

If you don’t want to sew, you can make your own homemade heating pads with fusible tape or fabric glue.

Can you use a substitute for rice?

Other ideas for filling up the heating pads are corn barley and oatmeal. They work just as well as the rice.

Can you freeze them?

This can double as a cold pack too. Just put them in the freezer and pull them out when you need an ice pack.

Here are a few more fun sewing ideas!


Fabric Mug Rugs


Fabric Candle Cozy

What’s Next?

While you’re here at Ideas for the Home by Kenarry®, be sure to check out these craft projects – 

  • Handmade Lavender Sachets
  • DIY Lap Desk
  • DIY Burlap Coasters
  • How to Make a Pillow from Extra Fabric
  • How to Sew a Hot Pad for Casserole Dishes
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Craft Ideas· Gift Ideas

About Kelly Meier

With a passion for teaching, crafting, and photography, Kelly created a blog that weaves them all together. From easy dinner recipes to quick DIY projects, Typically Simple provides creative inspiration for cooking and baking, crafting with kids, home decor, organization and more. A classroom teacher for seven years, Kelly now stays at home with her very energetic little boy. Armed with her hot glue gun and a cup of coffee, she enjoys working on craft and DIY projects during nap-time. You might also find her taste-testing new recipes in the kitchen!

Kelly shared her great ideas on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® from October 2016 - March 2018. Follow Kelly on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

In this ultimate guide, you'll learn how to make a burlap wreath with ribbon for your home. The FREE eBook includes easy step-by-step instructions plus inspiring craft and decor ideas to make wreaths for fall, Christmas, Easter and other holidays.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rita Dougherty says

    December 19, 2018 at 11:12 am

    Doing the hand warmers I read to use cotton thread when warming in the microwave. Is this what you recommend? Thank You

    Reply
    • Carrie Ypma says

      December 19, 2018 at 2:31 pm

      Hi Rita,
      That’s a great question that I haven’t encountered before so I did a little research. I found mixed reports about whether you need to use all-cotton thread or if a poly-blend thread is okay. Many internet reports I read said people used poly-blend thread with no issues. However, to be on the safe side, I’d recommend using cotton thread and fabric. Either way, you should only heat it for about 15-20 seconds at a time and stay in close proximity to your microwave while it’s heating the rice hand warmer. Never leave it unattended.

      Good luck with your project and happy crafting!

      Best wishes,
      Carrie

      Reply
  2. Susan says

    January 1, 2019 at 9:43 pm

    How long do these stay warm for?

    Reply
    • Carrie Ypma says

      January 1, 2019 at 10:14 pm

      Hi Susan,
      Rice hand warmers like this will stay warm for at least 15-20 minutes. Give it a try and let us know how long yours stay toasty!

      Best wishes,
      Carrie

      Reply
  3. heather says

    January 7, 2019 at 12:33 pm

    hi, how many times can you use this? will it reheat without damage?

    Reply
    • Carrie Ypma says

      January 7, 2019 at 12:45 pm

      Hi Heather,
      That’s a great question! These are definitely reusable, and can be reheated over and over again. However we haven’t tested them for a specific number of times.

      Best wishes,
      Carrie
      Kenarry, LLC

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Printable Labels for Handmade Hand Warmers - The Birch Cottage says:
    December 5, 2017 at 5:31 am

    […] you making DIY Rice Hand Warmers or Flannel Reusable Hand Warmers for Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers this year? These hand […]

    Reply
  2. 25+ Meaningful Military Going Away Gift Ideas | Shutterfly says:
    April 26, 2018 at 3:05 pm

    […] Source: Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® […]

    Reply
  3. Staying warm and making rice hand warmers | News, Sports, Jobs - Altoona Mirror says:
    January 21, 2019 at 9:25 pm

    […] The biggest tip I liked is the hand warmers. Having hypothyroidism, I have an issue with cold hands and this would be a big plus. However, buying hand warmers might get costly. Thankfully, my mom made me small cloth bags filled with rice. All I have to do is place them in the microwave for 30 second, flip and warm for another 30 and they are ready to place in my pocket. I love this as I can warm them up where ever there is a microwave. And they are very easy to make. Just take a piece of fabric about 6 inches and folded in half with the design on the inside. Sew up three sides. Reverse it so the design is on the outside. Pour in about 3/4 of rice. Stitch up the remaining side. And there you go. I found this little how to make a hand warmer very handy for those who like visuals. […]

    Reply

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Carrie Ypma from Ideas for the Home by Kenarry®Hello, I'm Carrie! Welcome to Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® where we want to help you create a home you love. We're glad you're here! Read more...

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In this ultimate guide, you'll learn how to make a burlap wreath with ribbon for your home. The FREE eBook includes easy step-by-step instructions plus inspiring craft and decor ideas to make wreaths for fall, Christmas, Easter and other holidays.
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