quick quick mittens

I may be crafty but I am disorganized. That's why I am just now getting around to figuring out what the kids need for this winter. The weather is cold enough that a pair of warm mittens would be very welcome. However, 'round here we only seem to have super thin store boughten cheapo ones. Mismatched no less (see: disorganzied confession). So, the other day when we were heading outside right away but couldn't find anything decent to cover Smootch's wee hands, I quickly grabbed my stripey fleece stash and sewing stuff and made a quick pair.

These mittens will take a person approximately 5 minutes to make, if they are on the ball. If they have a wee helper, the time stretches out to about 15 minutes. It is also an excellent project for beginning sewers, particularly young beginners.

I used fleece for my mittens because it wouldn't fray (no need to hem!), but I think that a old sweater would work well if you used the finished hem on the bottom for the wrist hem. Next time I will be making a faux fleece and sweater pair, and then another with a water resistant material (will have to see what is in my stash). In addition to fabric, you will need 1/4" elastic and thread.

To sew an extremely fast pair of custom mittens, first find yourself a hand to trace around. You want to make the tracing loose, with the fingers slightly splayed (the hand would like a little room to move inside the mitten). Add a seam allowance to your tracing, making the wrist area wider (the hand would like to be able to get into the mitten).Cut out the pattern along the seam allowance.Place your mitten pattern on your double folded fleece and cut out mitten shape. Then flip over the pattern and cut out another mitten shape.Place coordinating mitten shapes right sides together and sew around the edge, leaving the wrist area open. Trim seam allowances. Repeat for other mitten.Measure the wrist to determine how long the elastic should be cut to create a cuff. The elastic should be snug, but not stretched. Add an extra 1/2" to overlap when sewing cuff elastic into loop. Cut a second piece of elastic the same length.Overlap ends of elastic and sew together (um, looking at the picture it looks like I actually sewed it while Smootch was wearing it. I didn't. Just so's you know.) Repeat for other elastic.With mitten wrong side out, use a zig zag stitch to sew the elastic to the mitten to form a wrist cuff. Repeat for other mitten.

Have hand try on mitten.

Sing the praises of mittens.Go outside and play.

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