This full-body oven mitt was made during an Assistive Technology course at MIT. Our codesigner, Nico, loves to cook, but as a little person, her arms are shorter than the averaged sized person. Because of this, she holds pans and dishes closer to her chest when removing them from the oven. This results in regular burns to her chest and her forearms but is necessary for her to have a solid hold on items that are bulky in comparison to her frame. This oven mitt is designed to protect her arms, chest, and torso so that she is able to safely remove cookware from the oven.

We have adapted the design so it can be made for anyone by anyone. Only basic knowledge of sewing is required. This oven mitt is applicable to all groups of people including people with poor grip strength or poor motor control, culinary students, and average home cooks.

You will need a sewing machine, a pencil, a sewing tape measure, and scissors for this project.

Created by: Travis Bouchard, Serena Chen, and Christina Li.

Supplies

1 yard pattern fabric (outer layer)
1 yard pattern fabric (inner layer)
36" X 45" Insul-Bright
2 yards of ribbon
Heat resistant thread
Sewing pins

Step 1: Take Measurements

You will need to take measurements of the intended user. These will be used for the sizing of the pieces.

Measure:

thumb length
middle finger length
forearm length (wrist to elbow)
arm length (wrist to shoulder)
1/2 the circumference of the arm at its widest point
shoulder to shoulder width
collarbone to mid-chest length

Step 2: The Templates

Sketch out templates on paper following the attached design using your measurements. Cut them out.

Step 3: Cut the Fabric

Trace the templates onto the fabric. Cut out the shapes, leaving about an inch of space around the sides for the hem.

Outer Pattern Fabric

two arm pieces (A). Leave a few inches on the flat end.
two finger pieces (B)
two finger pad pieces (C)
one chest piece (D)

Inner Pattern Fabric

two arm pieces (A). Leave a few inches on the flat end.
two finger pieces (B)
two finger pad pieces (C)
one chest piece (D)

Insul-Bright

four arm pieces (A). Leave a few inches on the flat end.
four finger pieces (B)
four finger pad pieces (C)
one body piece (D)
one chest piece (Body piece but only the chest part. Stop at the neckline.)

Step 4: Group Fabric Into Components

Group the cut fabric into by piece type as shown in the picture.

Step 5: Sketch the Quilting Pattern

Flip the components so the inner fabric is facing up. Sketch the quilting pattern shown on all of the inner fabric pieces of each component using a ruler and a pencil.

Step 6: Pin the Fabric

Pin the fabric so it stays together but the pins don't interfere with the quilting pattern.

Step 7: Quilt the Fabric

Quilt the fabric on all of the components except the body component.

Step 8: Hem the Pieces

Hem all the quilted components along the traced outer line.

Step 9: Assemble the Hand and Arm Covers

Sew the quilted components 1, 2, and 3 together with the inner pattern fabric facing up by following the diagram. Match the colors together and use a running stitch to attach them. The mitt should be inside out when done sewing. Once everything has been sewed, trim the all the edges except the flat end of the 1s, and then flip the mitt so the outer pattern fabric is facing out.

Step 10: Attach the Arms to the Body Piece.

Cut out a slot in the Insul-Bright on both sides of the body piece (where the red is on piece D) that's the width of the arm piece so the fabric isn't too thick. It should be a few inches long. Don't cut either of the pattern fabrics. Insert the arm pieces into the slots and quilt the body piece making sure the arms are quilted into the body piece.

Step 11: Attach the Ribbons

Insert the ribbon into one of the pockets created by the quilting. Use a zigzag stitch to hem the body, making sure the ribbons are sewn in with the hem.

Introduction: Full Body Oven Mitts