How To Make Fingerless Hand-Warmers
Design Custom Fingerless Mittens for those who Suffer from Arthritis
Apr 29, 2009
For those who suffer from arthritis or poor circulation, fingerless hand warmers make it possible to keep one's hands warm while still doing normal things.
Supplies
- Fleece
- Paper and pen to make pattern
- Scissors
- Straight pins
- Coordinating thread
- Sewable hook and loop tape
- Sewing machine
Directions
- Trace the outline of your hand with fingers touching (not outspread).
- Add approximately half an inch to the entire outline. The addition will be used for the depth needed to make the two sides fit around the hand as well as the seams.
- Draw a line across the pattern just below where the first joint of the fingers will reach. You will cut along this line when you cut out the pattern.
- Cut out your pattern.
- Cut a rectangular pattern piece with the dimensions 2.5 – 4.5 inches
- Cut a strip pattern piece with the dimensions 1.5-11.5 inches
- Pin your pattern to the fleece that you will use for the mittens: cut out 4 hand pieces, cut out 4 strip pieces, and cut out 2 rectangular pieces.
- On the two pieces that will be the tops of the mittens; center the rectangle on the right side of the fabric with one short edge of the rectangle flush with the finger opening use an 1/8 inch seam. Sew the two long sides and the finger opening side of the rectangle down. It is not necessary to make a folded hem because fleece doesn’t fray. Put these pieces aside. This will be the pocket in which charcoal hand warmers can be inserted.
- Cut out two 1.5-3 inches long pieces of the hook end of the tape.
- Cut out two 1 inch long pieces of the loop side of the tape.
- On one of the strip pieces, sew a hook piece about an inch in from one side, centering it along the width of the strip.
- On a second strip piece, sew a tape loop piece centered in the width near the end of the strip.
- Place the two strip pieces together with the tape on opposite sides of the composite and on opposite ends of the strip. Top stitch the two together using a 1/8-inch seam.
- Repeat with the final two strip pieces.
- Place the hook side of one of the strips tape side down on the topside of a mitten piece with a pocket. Make sure that the edge of the strip lines up with the wrist edge of the mitten piece. Take a second mitten piece (the palm side) and place it on top of the strip. The right sides of the fabric on the hand pieces should be together and should encapsulate the strip for the length of the wrist.
- Starting on the side of the sandwich, make a 3/8 to 1/4 inch seam along the side of the hand. Be sure to catch the strip inside the seam. Stop when you reach the top. Mark lines for where the thumbhole should be. Reinforce the stitching along the area where the opening will be. Cut out the thumb opening, removing the seam at that place.
- Pull the strip out through the wrist area and make a seam on the opposite side of the hand. Avoid the strip.
- Reverse the mitten so that it is right side out. Cut the wrist opening at an angle so that it the opening is larger and easier to get into.
- Reverse the mitten and reinforce the seams where you cut them to open the angle at the wrist.
Tips
- Reinforce the beginning and end of every seam. Fleece stretches and the mittens are snug, you do not want the seam to pull out.
Ideas Suggestions
- Use a busy, overlapping pattern on your fabric – it disguises the seams better.
- Do not get frustrated when making the pattern for the first time, it may take a little trial and error to get the pattern to fit the way you want it to. Use scrap material until you are certain of your pattern.
The copyright of the article How To Make Fingerless Hand-Warmers in Sewing/Needlework is owned by Melissa Howard. Permission to republish How To Make Fingerless Hand-Warmers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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