Who else feels that Valentine’s Day has become too commercial? Hands? Anyone? Well, I do, which is why my hubby and I often go handmade for our Valentine’s Day gifts. Today I’m joining some of my fellow Canadian bloggers to bring you DIY inspiration for injecting some handmade style into this lovey-dovey holiday. If there’s one thing that we Canucks know, (you know, other than hockey and universal health care) it’s COLD WEATHER, so I thought it would be nice to make a few DIY hand warmers as a little Valentine’s Day gift. These are really easy to make in case you are looking for great beginner sewing projects!
Today’s hop is hosted by Jo-Anna of A Pretty Life in the Suburbs. Jo-Anna blogs from Calgary, Alberta, and she has lots of great home decor, recipes, and DIY projects on her site. Stick around to the end of this post to visit all the other lovely participants’ blogs!
These hand warmers are a perfect sewing project for beginners. You can even hand-sew them easily if you don’t have access to a machine! And the stitching on the edge is just a plain blanket stitch. I’ll show you how to assemble them in no time.
Materials
- Heart template – to make this, simple draw or print a heart shape in the size you wish for your hand warmer
- Cozy fabric – I used a turquoise flannel, but soft cotton, polar fleece, or felt would work!
- Co-ordinating thread
- A blend of rice and oatmeal – about 1/2 cup per warmer
- Scissors
- Straight pins
- Embroidery floss and needle
Directions
- Cut out your template. Fold your fabric in four and pin the template to the fabric. (If your fabric is very thick, fold in two and repeat this step.)
- Cut out your hearts – you should have four heart shapes now. Pin two heart shapes together.
- Sew a 1/4″ seam around the heart. Leave a 1″ opening (so that you can fill it with the rice and oatmeal).
- Fill the heart with the rice and oatmeal blend.
- Pin closed and sew up the heart.
- Take your embroidery floss and blanket stitch around the outside of the heart. Begin by tying a knot on the end of the floss. Insert the needle between the two heart shapes (to hide the knot). Secure your first stitch and then proceed to blanket stitch around. I put together a little step-by-step collage so that you can see what I did:
To heat your hand warmers, place them on a dish in the microwave and microwave them on medium-high for 1 minute, turning the heart after 30 seconds to heat through. Watch out: they get VERY hot! (Consider this your friendly don’t-sue-me-because-you-didn’t-listen-to-my-instructions warning.) 😉 They should stay warm in a mitten for 20-30 minutes.
I’m having trouble getting the presser foot on my sewing machine to engage properly (hence that slight squiggle in my seam) and cannot seem to find a solution! Anyone out there have an Elna and can help?? I’ve had it looked at by a repairman, but there’s still a problem. I have some big projects to do this winter, so I’m getting kinda desperate.
You can find some of my other sewing projects HERE!
Now I hope you’ll take time to visit the other Valentine’s Day hop participants! There is some fantastic inspiration for DIY projects!
Monday
Heart Shaped Pizzas for Valentine’s Day by Jo-Anna of A Pretty Life
Blood Orange Limoncello Cocktail for Valentine’s Day by Tara of Suburble
Ombre Cake Makeover from a Grocery Store Cake by Colleen of Lemon Thistle
Valentine’s Popcorn by Janella of Ma Belle Vie
« Warm Heart » Hand Warmers by Sarah of Flourish & Knot
Tuesday
Valentine’s Day Embroidery Projects by Heather of Home to Heather
Valentine’s Candy Inspired Table Setting by Andrea of Personally Andrea
Valentine Heart Strawberry Pop Tarts by Jen of Kitchen Counter Chronicles
Valentine’s Day Date Night In Gift Basket Idea by Christina of The DIY Mommy
Valentine’s Day Dessert: Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookies by Shauna of Satori Design for Living
Wednesday
Felt Valentine’s Day Cards by Alex of Northstory
Lovey Dovey Vegan Chocolate Bark by Joann of Woman in Real Life
Valentine’s Day Wall Hanging by Thalita of The Learner Observer
DIY Valentine String Art by Natasha of The Dreamhouse Project
Fluffy Valentine Sugar Cookies by Kendra of Joy In Our Home
Thursday
Easy DIY Valentine’s Wreath by Laurie of VinYet ETC
Raspberry Mousse Cups by Daniela of Lifeovereasy
Valentine’s Day Breakfast by Dannyelle of Life is a Party
Valentine’s Mantel by Jen of Rambling Renovators
Boyfriend Bouquet | Floating Heart Terrarium by Cynthia of Cynthia Zamaria
Friday
Embroidery Hoop Valentine Art by Christine of The DIY Dreamer
« You & Me » Wood Sign by Lindi of Love Create Celebrate
Chocolate and Coconut Coated Heart Mini-Cakes by Jane and Sonja of Sustain My Craft Habit
DIY String Heart Wall Hanging by Melissa of The Sweet Escape
Heart Shaped Marshmallows for Valentine’s Day by Christine of Amidst the Chaos
