Computer Wrist Rest Set

Bring an elegant, handmade touch to your computer desk with these linen wrist rests. This is a set of two wrist rests for using at the keyboard and with a mouse. The bases are filled with rice for firmness and balsam for a subtle, pleasant fragrance.

The top bolster pillows are lightly stuffed with wool fleece and tufted with buttons and wool felt. The keyboard rest measures about 18.5" by 3.5" and the mouse rest measures 6" by 3.5". They are both about 1.5" high.

This project requires basic sewing skills, and can be completed in an afternoon.

It's for sale in my etsy shop here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6456738

Also swing by my blog at http://www.duofiberworks.com to see my other projects.

Step 1 Gather Materials and Supplies

Materials:

Fabric for outer pieces- 1/2 yard, 44" wide
Fabric for inner pieces- 1/2yard, 44" wide, contrast A
- 1/4 yard, 44" wide, contrast B
Matching thread- match to outer fabric
Buttons- four 1/2" buttons
Grosgrain ribbon- 1.25" yds 3/4"" wide ribbon
Wool Felt- one scrap 1.5" by 4.5"
Wool fleece for stuffing- three big handfuls
Rice- three cups
Balsam- two cups, you could also substitute dried lavender or just use all rice

Supplies:
Rotary cutting mat (not absolutely necessary)
Rotary cutting ruler (not absolutely necessary)
Rotary cutter (not absolutely necessary)
Scissors
Pinking Shears
Sewing Machine
Iron
Ironing pad/board
Pins
Needle
Piece of cardstock

Comments

[Jezza Bear]

What a great idea. Is there a good material that is easily wash/wipeable? As mine tends to get a bit messy over time what with coffe and keyboard snacks, what do you suggest?

[Cherry Red]

I would make mine plain & simple with some nice sturdy fabric. I wuld then make a casing 4 that 1 (actually I'd make a few, I love changing it up every 1ce n awhile :-)) so when it does get dirty (& it will) u can just toss it in with the laundry 2 get it nicely cleaned & crisp.

[xxxafterglow]

Dark fabric! Or some easy-to-clean upholstery / outdoor fabric though you sacrifice comfort... I'd think the buttons would get annoying cuz they'd dig into or scrape your skin as you type. Great idea and really useful! Esp. for Instructables junkies.

[duofiberworks]

They do get grimy, don't they? I thought about that too, and I think the slightly chunky, textured weave of the linen would disguise some staining. Maybe using a print or textured fabric for the outside would make it look nice even longer. I wondered about spraying it with Scotch guard, but haven't investigated that yet.

[Yerboogieman]

I have a keyboard like that, I've never owned a dell but I love my dell click-clack keyboard. Nice instructable.

[pluralmolecule]

I like the idea of making you own pads, but I have a couple ergonomic warnings for you. 1. You shouldn't rest your wrist on this. You should only rest the palm of your hand. Resting the wrist is a risk factor for injury. 2. Your setup has the mouse higher and behind the keyboard. This is not good. Reaching for a mouse is a major risk factor for shoulder injury. You want the mouse just to the side of the keyboard, at the same level. Either get a desk with a wider keyboard tray, or get a board that you can put on the keyboard tray to make it wider.