How to Make Matching Wrist Rests for Your Computer Hardware

Ergonomic accessories tend to be ugly - and expensive! Make these instead, in any fabric you desire.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabrics
• Measuring Tapes
• Needles
• Sewing Machine
• Thimbles
• Threads
• Beans
• Scissors
• Scissors
• Beans

Making a Keyboard Rest and Mouse Pad Rest

1. Measure your keyboard and mouse pad.

2. Cut out your fabric. You'll need two rectangles, as long as the measurements you made in step 1, and 7 1/4 inches wide.

3. Gather the short ends of both rectangles.

4. Fold the rectangles in half, right sides together.

5. Stitch over the gathers to close the short ends.

6. Sew the long seams, leaving about a 2-inch gap in the middle so that you can fill the wrist rests.

7. Turn the cylinders right side out.

8. Fill them with dried beans or peas. The cylinders should be fairly full and firm, but flexible.

9. Sew up the gap by hand.

Gathering

10. Turn your stitch length to long.

11. Sew two parallel lines, without back tacking, 3/8 inch and 5/8 inch from the fabric edge.

12. Tie off one end - by pulling gently on either the bobbin or spool threads, grasping the loops, pulling all four threads through to one side and tying in a secure knot.

13. Take hold of either the bobbin or the spool threads at the other end.

14. Pull gently with one hand, sliding the fabric back along the stitching to gather with the other.

15. Tie off the other end.

Tips & Warnings

• The fabric should be fairly sturdy - about like denim.
• Medium-sized, round or fairly round beans work best; soybeans are perfect.
• For a coordinated look, get enough fabric to make matching computer and printer covers.

on 11/22/2005 I mix rice with a bit of lavender. You get a wrist rest and aromatherapy!
Sawdust is nice for those who like something a bit more lightweight. Check at a good cabinet shop for sawdust. I'm particularly fond of cedar.