Handwarmer, body warmer and a relaxing eyemask for you to sew. Plus a very easy neck scarf. Perfect for giving.
A lot of us suffer in the cold with aches and pains sometimes from arthritis. These simple garments are designed to help keep you snug and warm. Even if you don't , these delightful pieces make perfect thoughtful gifts
If you are unable to purchase the pattern then it is easy enough to draft your own, see my post Handwarmers and scarves
It is so very easy to do as long as you remember to make your pattern big enough to accommodate multiple layers
. Let me know if you have a problem
The pattern states that you should, use a cotton or linen interfacing and add rice so that the items can be heated in the microwave.
I have used pure 100% cotton from my stash.
But you can purchase it here Cotton fabric
I made the Bias Binding myself which is incredibly easy to do. I made a video to show you how to make it. Please don't buy it ready made, your own is far superior
My YouTube video on how to make Bias Binding
As an alternative I am using neither of these, instead I am using a pure cotton batting which is extremely warm and also has antibacterial properties. This is widely available from most haberdashery and fabric stores.
If you do want to warm them before use simply run an iron over the inside or leave near a radiator for a while, but the heat from your own body soon warms them up. Because of the properties of the wadding there is no need to continuously wash them. If they do need a wash do it gently by hand without squeezing or wringing the item. Dont use fabric conditioner.
This garment keeps your neck, shoulders and upper back warm.
I added a toggle and a piece of elastic so that it can be fastened.
The back reaches past your shoulders
The first thing I did was to cut out a front,a wadding and a back from each pattern piece and baste them together along the edges.
I made the collar making a sandwich of front, back and wadding, wrong sides together ( everything is bound with bias binding) and then drew a chalk line to mark the quilting line shown on the pattern piece
Join the shoulder seams on both front and lining .press .
Place the collar between these at the neckline right sides together then stitch the collar in place. Trim the seam and turn right sides out. Press and baste all around the edge.
You should now have something looking like this., Do the quilting as explained in the instructions... NB If you are following the pattern and are using interfacing and rice then follow the instructions on the pattern sheet,
Start at the back and start to stitch binding to the right side, stretching around the curves and mitering corners.
Press and then fold the binding over and either hand sew it to the reverse or machine sew.
You can add a button and loop if wanted.
The hand warmers are made in exactly the same way.
They are fastened with velcro
This is the finished item. Lovely and warm to help ease sore wrists.
I decided to change them slightly though. So I remade them.
This time I decided to double the amount of wadding used and I also reduced the width by just less than an inch.
This made for a warmer snugger fit. If you have arthritis, your hands can become very painful and I wanted to create extra warmth and support which this does successfully.
The eye mask is a lovely addition, and I made several.
As I was stitching the Binding in place I added an elastic strap to hold it in place. I stopped sewing at the last inch and using a funnel made from paper I filled the mask with lavender. You could add rice too if you want.
Then I finished attaching the last bit of Binding.
The addition of rice will keep it warm for longer but do be careful not to overheat it
This mask cannot be washed because of the lavender. To heat it put it in an unsealed plastic bag and microwave it for a few seconds. Do test the temperature before putting it on your face.
The warmth will help ease dry eyes and sinus pain whilst the lavender is relaxing you.
You can scrunch this item a bit to release more aroma from the lavender.
When you have finished using it store it in a sealed plastic bag.
Neck Warmer
I make a lot of these and wear them all year round under T-shirts jumpers and coats.
Great for travelling and really do keep draughts out.
These are sold in plenty of places for a huge amount of money!
All you need as a piece of stretch Jersey fabric.
Cut a rectangular piece with the stretch going across the width.
The width needs to be approximately 24" wide and 14 -16" deep . This is adaptable.
This fabric does not need hemming - the shop bought ones are not hemmed. Join the side seam with either a matching overlock stitch or make a French seam.
Fold it in half and put it around your neck . And that is all there is to it
As I said earlier I have several of these and love them. The make great headbands too if you fold it over again.
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| This is a purchased neckwarmer from SeaSalt. |
Thank you for reading .
I hope that this post has given you some ideas. These are useful for almost anybody, not just those with disabilities
I made the hand warmers for myself when crocheting as my hand gets sore. I also have an eye mask which is incredibly relaxing.
They all make wonderful gifts which show that you care. So get hunting in your stash and give gifts made by your own hands.
I recommend Minerva.com for fabrics and interfacing
Interfacing is on this link, including fleece and other warm interfacings
Cotton fabric is best for these projects and there are plenty here Cotton fabric
Very best wishes
Angela
SewAngelicThreads
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