How to Sew Rice Hand Warmers for Cozy Winter Comfort

As the cold winter months approach, staying warm becomes a priority. One simple and cost-effective way to keep your hands toasty is by creating your own rice hand warmers. These reusable hand warmers are perfect for slipping into your pockets or holding in your hands, and they’re easy to heat up in the microwave. Plus, they’re environmentally friendly and a great gift idea! In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to sew your own hand warmers.

You can make them in different shapes and sizes, for bigger and smaller hands or pockets, with or without a loop, and with or without a button. You can also choose to make an extra cover so you can wash the outside in your machine. Make this cover in the shape of a little pillowcase.

In the image above you can see different shapes and options. They can inspire you to make the ones that best suit your needs. That is one of the wonderful things about sewing these yourself. Customization! Read on to, find out what other advantages there are to sewing hand warmers.

Making your own rice hand warmers has several advantages:

1. Eco-Friendly: Reduce waste by reusing these warmers instead of disposable options.
2. Customizable: Choose your favorite fabric designs, size and shape to match your style, pockets and hand size.
3. Affordable: A budget-friendly DIY project using materials you likely already have at home.

Before you start, gather these materials: 

• Cotton Fabric: 100% cotton is best for durability and the microwave. Natural fibers are the safest option for sure. Choose a pattern or color you love.
• Rice: Regular uncooked white rice works best. You can also use flaxseed, dried cherry pits or lava sand.
• Thread: Use 100% cotton thread as it is a natural fiber and very durable. Polyester thread can also be used. No worries, a microwave will not melt polyester thread.
• Sewing Machine: While you can hand-sew, a machine will make the process quicker and ensure tight seams.
• Scissors + fabric marker or a rotary cutter, ruler and mat: For cutting the fabric.
• Pins or clips: To hold the fabric pieces together as you sew.
• A funnel or a piece of paper that you can shape into a cone: For filling the warmers easily with rice.
• Optional: A little piece of elastic and a button

I picked some ice cream fabric which is a bit contradictory, I know, but I really like it and my kids do too so ice cream and hand warmers it will be! Keep the summer vibes in winter, right?

TIP: Pre-wash and iron your fabric to prevent shrinkage later, ensuring the warmers remain machine-washable.

If you can sew, I guess you can probably figure out how to make these hand warmers. You basically have to sew two pieces of fabric together, right sides facing each other. Don’t forget to leave a turning hole. After you’ve sewn, turn the fabric right side out, insert the rice and hand sew the turning hole closed. That’s it.

For those of you who need a little more explanation and guidance. Here we go:

Start by cutting your fabric into squares or rectangles. Rectangles are the best shape to grab for your hand but a little square can maybe fit in your gloves? A good size for hand warmers is 4x6 inches. If you want to make the hand warmer that wraps around your hand. Measure around your hand and add 3 inches. The rice will add volume so if you just take the circumference of your hand palm plus the seam allowance, it will be too small.

In any case, you’ll need two identical pieces of fabric for each hand warmer, two rectangles or two squares.

If you want to add a little loop to hang them, cut an extra strip, 1 inch wide and 2 inches long.

Place the two fabric pieces together with the right sides facing each other. Position the loop in the seam, on the right side, raw edges matching the raw edges of the two fabric pieces of the little pillow. If you want to make a hand warmer that you can wrap around your hand, add the piece of elastic now, just like you are adding the loop, in between the fabric pieces on the right sides, raw edges matching the fabric’s raw edges. In the image below I’m holding the elastic in place with a fabric clip.

Pin all the edges to hold them in place. Sew around the edges with a 1/4-inch seam allowance, leaving a small opening on one side to turn the fabric inside out and fill it with rice.

After sewing, carefully turn the fabric right side out through the opening you left. I like to cut the raw edges with pinking shears to reduce the bulk and make them less prone to fraying.

Use a chopstick or a sewing stiletto to push out the corners. Press for a crisp edge.

Use a funnel to fill your fabric pouch with rice. If you don’t have a plastic one, you can just use a piece of paper that you shape into a funnel. Works just as good.

Let the rice slide in the little bag. Don’t overfill—about 2/3 full is enough to allow the rice to move around and conform to the shape of your hands.

Optional: Add a few drops of essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus to the rice for a soothing scent.

Once the hand warmer is filled, carefully fold in the edges of the open seam and pin it closed. Sew along the edge to close the opening, ensuring the stitches are tight to keep the rice securely inside.

If you want, hand sew the button in place on the outside of the hand warmer to make the version that wraps around your hand.

To use your hand warmers, simply pop them in the microwave, on high, for 20-30 seconds.Test the temperature to ensure it’s not too hot before using. Turn over and heat a bit more if they are not hot enough.

Be aware of heating them for too long. If you overcook the rice it might get smelly and you can even ruin or burn your pads.

These hand warmers will retain heat for about 20-30 minutes, perfect for those chilly outdoor activities or cozy nights indoors.

Also, some people suggest putting a small cup of water in the microwave during the heating up process to help the rice warmer pads be more evenly heated. The humidity would help with that.

If you want, you can also toss them in the freezer and use them as a little cold pack in summer. This way ice cream fabric is matching the purpose :-) !

I wouldn’t recommend soaking your rice hand warmers as the rice will soak up the water and may get moldy. To keep your hand warmers clean, just remove stains with a damp cloth and let them dry completely.

When they get wet from rain or snow, also make sure to let them dry thoroughly.

Another possibility for keeping the pads clean, is to make an extra cover that you can machine wash. Just make little pillowcases to wrap around the little bag of rice. To wash, remove the cover and pop it in the laundry.

In any case, rice hand warmers can’t be used forever, heating the rice multiple times will have an effect on the rice and it will go bad. You should be able to use the pad for a year. Considering this, I decided not to make the washable cover and just use it as it is and make some new ones, once they are worn out and dirty.

Making your own machine-washable rice hand warmers is a simple and rewarding project that provides warmth and comfort during the cold season. Whether you're crafting them for yourself or as a thoughtful handmade gift, these DIY hand warmers are sure to be a hit.

For more DIY sewing projects and tips, be sure to check out our other guides and tutorials on the Madam Sew Sewing and Quilting Blog.

Stay warm and happy sewing!

An
Blogging for Madam Sew

Download this hand warmer tutorial in PDF here