The Party's Over

The secret can be revealed

Remember that pile of secret sewing I showed a couple of weeks ago?

Now that the party is over, the secret can be revealed.  I was making party favors for the Devo and Sew Christmas party.  It's rice-filled handwarmers!

The idea came from the December issue of BH&G Christmas Quilts and More magazine.

Simply warm in the microwave on high for about 15-20 seconds.
They stay warm long enough to walk to the mailbox or walk the dog.
And if you have arthritis or carpal tunnel in your hands like I do,
a warm one will relieve some of the numbness.

I started with flannel rectangles 3-1/2" x 4", placed right sides together.  I stitched 1/4 inch from the edge around all 4 sides, leaving an opening big enough to put a funnel into.  I trimmed the corners to reduce bulk before I turned them inside out.

Using a chopstick, I gently poked out the corners.

The hardest part for me was keeping hold of the fabric while balancing the funnel I used to fill them.

I used a generous 1/4 cup of rice in each one.

I tried using 1/3 cup of rice, but it made the closing process more difficult.

Because I needed to make a minimum of 20 pairs, and time was flying, 

I opted to close the opening by machine.

I placed the needle close to the edge to guarantee I would catch the whole seam.

Even though a hand finish would have been neater, I think the machine stitching is more secure.

I did have to be careful to shake all the rice to the bottom before stitching.

Even then, I still stitched a few grains of rice!

I was able to fill 22 pairs of handwarmers with 5 pounds of cheap rice.

Everyone went home with a pair!
Can you believe I forgot to take a picture of the happy recipients?