Introduction: Winter Mittens

About: Hi! I'm know among people IRL as the sewing guy who makes everything out of duct tape, and I'm a maker, designer, baker and Instructables fan. (he/him please thanks!)

Hello Makers! How's it going? Today's project is for all you cold-handed (and probably great with pastry :) people out there! Trust me when I say that mittens are very easy to make, because it's only 3 pieces! In case you are wondering, I did try gloves but it did not go well at all and I now own two very lumpy plush octopuses* so I shall not burden you with trying to make that disaster. Anywho, mitten time!

*Yes, octopuses. According to a cephalopod researcher at my local branch of NOAA, both octopuses and octopi are acceptable spellings

Supplies

  • 1/4 yard of felt, minky, polar fleece, blizzard fleece, tornado fleece, tsunami fleece, or whatever Joanns is calling it now. Just something soft. I used Joanns "luxe fleece" in gray.
  • A sewing machine and/or needle + thread
  • Pattern
  • Couple inches of elastic, foldover probably ideal but its hard to find elastic these days

Step 1: Cut Out Pieces

Make sure to either cut on fold or flip the pattern pieces over so you don't get two left mittens. Unless you have two left hands, in which case, you do you.

Cut out one wrist, one palm, and one back per mitten

Step 2: (Optional) Thumb Shaping

On the palm piece, fold the thumb down. Sew a gentle curve. Cut to 1/8 inch seam allowance. (this step reduces bulk in between your thumb and palm to add comfort)

Step 3: Palm Side

Put wrist piece right side up, and palm right side down. Line up and pin (where the red wonderclips are). Sew at 1/8 inch and unfold. Place the elastic across wrong side and sew a gather by pulling on the elastic as you sew across. It should scrunch up.

Step 4: Sew Front and Back Together

Pin the back to the wrist/palm piece. Be careful around the thumb seam and line it up like in the picture. Sew at 1/8 inch around, leaving the bottom open so you can get your fingers in there :)

Step 5: Hem

Fold and sew at whatever length you like, just like hemming a sleeve. Or leave it raw if you like. It may be helpful if your elastic is quite stiff to hem high enough that the fabric covers it to make it less scratchy. Turn right side out.

Step 6: Try It On!

Yaaay you made mittens! Now go outside and play in the cold without fear of cold hands.

Great job! xo Sewphia