FREE PROJECT: Ice-Me-Nicely™ Covered Ice Packs
The back story: When I tore my ACL and discovered surgery would be required to repair it, I learned that I would soon begin a love affair with ice packs. A friend whose son had a meniscus repair a year or so ago told me how to make my own ‘slushy ice pack’ that would be more malleable around the knee. I gave it a try and discovered how fantastic these homemade ice packs really are. Only…I absolutely hated wrapping them in a towel. The towel would slip and not stay securely on the pack.
Solution: Make my own Terry Cloth cover for each size.
©Tracy L. Chapman & Sew Thankful Inc. April 2010. All rights reserved.
User assumes all risk. Tracy L. Chapman & Sew Thankful Inc. shall have no liability with respect to loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this project.
Click here for a printable PDF of this project (requires Acrobat Reader).
Please read entire pattern carefully all the way through before beginning.
Two Sizes – Finished Measurements:
- Large – approximately 12” wide x 12” tall
- Small – approximately 8” wide x 9” tall
Materials required for each ice pack and cover:
| Large
Ice Pack Insert:
*Note: Water to Alcohol mixture should be approximately 3 parts water to 1 part alcohol. You may wish to use more or less total liquid for a ‘fatter’ or ‘thinner’ ice pack
Cover:
|
Small
Ice Pack Insert:
*Note: Water to Alcohol mixture should be approximately 3 parts water to 1 part alcohol. You may wish to use more or less total liquid for a ‘fatter’ or ‘thinner’ ice pack
Cover:
|
Instructions:
Prepare Ice Pack Insert:
- Combine Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol and water in 1st double zipper freezer bag. Carefully remove excess air from bag and close seal. Place this bag inside the 2nd double zipper freezer bag with seal at the opposite end. Remove excess air from 2nd bag and seal zipper.
- Use a permanent marker and label the bag “DO NOT EAT, DRINK OR INGEST”
Label Ice Pack Insert & Double Bag Solution
- Place pack in freezer several hours or until needed – the alcohol will prevent a super hard freeze, allowing the pack to be “slushy” and malleable. If your freezer temperature setting is extremely low, the pack may become pretty hard over time. Simply allow pack to set at room temperature for 10 to 20 minutes before use and pack will become more slushy and malleable.
Prepare Ice Pack Cover:
Prewash and preshrink Terry Cloth and cut to size(s) specified.
Determine which end will be the top/flap end of the Terry Cloth cover and “round” corners on this end, as shown.
- Hint: Use a plate, roll of tape or any solid, flat, round object to achieve a nice, even rounded edge.
Fold ‘Accent Strip’ in half lengthwise with right sides out, match up raw edges and press.
Align raw edges of Accent Strip with raw edges of bottom of Terry Cloth, stitch using a ¼” seam allowance.
Press, fold snugly over to the other side and topstitch down.
- Optional: Topstitch with decorative threads using a zigzag or decorative stitch.
Center and sew in ‘soft’ side of Hook & Loop Tape parallel to the Accent Strip, butted flush alongside the accent strip.
Center and sew in hard side of Hook & Loop Tape on opposite end and opposite side of Terry Cloth approximately 1/2” from top (raw) edge of Terry Cloth.
I recommend using a thread that matches/blends with the towel color for this. Doing so will help make the stitching less noticeable on the reverse side which will be seen when the flap is folded over.
Bring bottom (accent) edge of towel up toward top (raw) edge of Terry Cloth:
- For large size, place 3” below and parallel to top edge, pin to secure placement.
- For small size, place 2” below and parallel to top edge, pin to secure placement.
Press Binding Strip ¼” under (to the wrong side) on one narrow end.
Fold Binding Strip in half lengthwise matching raw edges with right sides out and press.
Flip the cover over.
Align folded/pressed narrow end of binding strip at one folded edge of Terry Cloth cover (raw edges out/aligned) and pin binding all the way around, as shown.
Note: As you pin, pull and re-position the previously placed pins from the other side.
Use a ¼” seam allowance and begin stitching on binding. Continue sewing up one side, around the top and down the other side toward the opposite folded edge of Terry Cloth.
Stop stitching approximately 3” from the folded edge. Backstitch to secure stitching. Remove from sewing machine.
Measure and cut binding strip approximately ¼” longer than the folded edge of Terry Cloth.
Press the new end of binding under ¼”. Refold in half, align with edge of Terry Cloth cover, press again.
Binding Tail Turned Under 1/4"
Return to sewing machine and continue stitching all the way down to the end. Backstitch to secure.
Press binding toward the outside.
Press to the outside. Inspect seam all the way around to make certain all layers are sewn in the seam. Trim excess/bulky Terry Cloth from seam allowance (no more than 1/16th – 1/8th inch / do NOT cut too close to seam).
Clip curves carefully to reduce puckering (be careful not to cut into stitched seam).
Wrap binding around Terry Cloth edge snugly and press. Pin if necessary to secure, easing around the curved flap edges. Topstitch close to edge to secure all the way around. Return to sewing machine and continue stitching all the way down to the end. Backstitch to secure.
If desired, add decorative top-stitching all the way around for additional seam strength and visual interest.
Option: Add Decorative Top Stitching
Store your cover(s) in a location you will remember. When you need to use your icepack, simply pull it out of the freezer, insert it into the cover and ENJOY the cooling sensation. When finished, remove the cover and return icepack to freezer. This icepack can last years.
Note: Inspect icepack for leakage with each use. If signs of leakage occur, simply re-bag the liquid in two new heavy Ziploc Freezer Bags.
The cover is machine washable – For best results, press hook and loop tape together securely to prevent snagging on other laundry items. Recommend cool wash, medium heat dryer.
Idea: Consider adding embroidery (monogram or other designs, perhaps) or appliqué to the Terry Cloth for extra decorative interest.
Click here for a printable PDF of this project (requires Acrobat Reader).
©Tracy L. Chapman & Sew Thankful Inc. April 2010. All rights reserved.
 |
Like our blog?
Would you like to become a subscriber to the FREE Sew Thankful eNews? Subscribers receive notice of eCoupons, special sales, new arrivals, tips, ideas and more? |
Here are a few more reasons to subscribe:
- eNews members are the 1st to be notified when we add new products or offer special deals – you can select what type of products you want to be notified about.
- eNews members receive special savings eCoupon codes not offered anywhere else
- With your confirmed eNews subscription you will receive the link to the PDF for this complimentary travel tissue holder pattern developed by Tracy. (PDF file that requires a recent version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, available for FREE from adobe.com).
- eNews members receive notice and access to complimentary PDF pattern designs by Tracy when they become available (usually every 4 – 6 months, as time allows).
- Occasionally you may receive a special inside look at the Sew Thankful team known as Tracy & the Chapman Crew. We are a family-oriented mom & pop shop and we are pleased to have you get to know us.
- Tracy offers encouragement, musings and ideas on sewing related and/or general living topics. Sometimes she shares a recipe; sometimes it’s a photo inspiration from one of her tumbleweed travels; sometimes it’s a pattern review or other sewing/quilting item of interest; and/or other newsworthy items as they may occur.
- You may unsubscribe yourself at any time with just one click. You are in control.
- We DO NOT share or sell our customer or eNews subscriber information or email addresses to anyone for any reason, period.
- You decide how often you want to hear from us.
- You control your subscription settings – that means you can change them or unsubscribe easily at any time.
SPECIAL NOTE: After you sign up, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription. Inside that email there will be a “confirmation link”. You must click on that link to confirm your subscription. If you do not click the confirmation link you will NOT be added to the SewThankful eNews. Due to anti-spam legislation, we are unable to manually add anyone to our email list. Please be sure to set your email spam filters to accept mail from sewthankful.com
Already subscribed and just want to change your email address or settings? Enter your email address in the box below, click join and follow the instructions.
 |
 |
 |
|
||
|
|
||
 |
|
 |
|
||
Disclaimer: The SewThankful eNews is a FREE, privately owned, voluntary subscriber, double opt-in eNewsletter. Sew Thankful Inc. is not responsible for any eNews that may get hijacked by cyber gremlins, user browser incompatibility, subscriber spam filter issues or subscriber ISPs bouncing the eNews and/or any other event or circumstance that might prevent you from receiving the SewThankful eNews when they are sent out. Sew Thankful Inc. reserves the right to amend eNews schedules [as in which day(s) of the week or month, NOT your frequency] to better serve subscriber needs as a whole. Sew Thankful reserves the right to cancel or terminate any subscriber’s eNews membership at any time at our sole discretion.
Hi Tracy,
I am trying to find a pattern for a tote to carry hot irons in-Clothilde discontinued the one I ordered so that I could make them for Christmas gifts for my quilting friends. I couldn’t find any on your site-do you know who has made patterns for this item?
Hope your knee is 100% and that you were able to complete the race.
Thanks Kathy
[...] Click here for the free pattern. [...]
[...] work, Ann!!! Your Ice-Me-Nicely packs turned out beautifully!! I love the monogram and your choice of batik binding. Thank you [...]
Great Idea, Tracy. Thanks for sharing. I do have another idea that is great for back pain and especially if one doesn’t have other options. You can use a disposable diaper. Gently open it up but don’t lay it flat…keep it kinda in a U shape and dribble water into it until the gel is full but not overfull. Lay the diaper on itself just like it looked when it came out of the package, then carefully open up the sticky ‘wings’ and velcro it to itself making a neat little diaper ice pack. It freezes quickly and stays cold for a very long time. This is perfect for lower backs, especially if you are on your way to the chiropractor and are supposed to ‘ice up’ before treatment. It can be tucked into your pants or under the bra strap to keep it in place while you drive. I discovered this out of necessity once when I was working in the church office with a chiro appt later and forgot my ice pack at home. My diaper bag was handy and, necessity was the mother of invention. The diaper ice pack is its own covering, so you don’t have to worry about your skin being frost bitten!
I am so glad that I found your site & your blog today. I will be a daily visitor & frequent customer. I need so motivation to get back to my sewing & embroidery. I think I found it!
Thanks for a wonderful idea for ice packs. I will be sewing one just as soon as I am able to get to my sewing machine. I recently broke my left upper leg and had pins inserted. When I was released to put my weight on that leg, I began to have pain at the fracture site. The doctor’s office told me to apply ice on it until I could get to the office after the weekend. My present ice pack needs a cover, so I will use your idea to make one. Thanks, again.
Jane Lemasters
This is a fantastic idea….I was thinking that you could even add a drop of blue food coloring to the liquid to make it look even more authentic!
Every household needs one of these! Another pattern to add to my “To Do” list!
Thanks for sharing!
Tracy,thank you so much for the patterns. I look forward to your newsletters and I will definitely make some of these bags to hold ice bags, etc. They will make nice gifts for my grandchildren also as they are involved in sports. LOL and God Bless You! Janice
Hiya Tracy
I have been making these ‘slushy ice bags’ for several years now. And can you believe that it never occurred to me to make some covers? Hahahaha but now you have given me some great gift ideas for my friends. Thanks for coming up with this super idea.
Huggles
Jonell
Tracy,thank you so much for the patterns. I look forward to your newsletters and I will definitely make some of these bags to hold ice bags, etc. They will make nice gifts for my grandchildren also as they are involved in sports. LOL and God Bless You! Janice
Thanks for the free pattern. I have found it very useful.
Dear Tracy,
I always enjoy reading your emails. But this is like one of those things I wouldn’t of thought of that. This is like the most awesome idea. I love it.
Thanks,
Vicky
Thanks!! Great idea. These will make really nice gifts.
Bless you, Tracy -
I will be a hero to our son when I make him one of these. I appreciate your willingness to share your wonderful ideas with us. You make my day – love hearing from you.
Tracy, Your pattern could not have been more timely for us. My husband had a torn meniscus repaird on Tuesday of this week. When I saw your pattern on Sunday, I made one for him and he loved it. Thank-you for the recipe for the filler ,too. Many hugs to you.
Tracy I have used this solution for many years, for pain I get on the back of my head, from an auto accident…always wrapped baggies in a towel…the cover design is awesome!! thank you ! I will be making a few of these over the next few days…..
Tracy, what a godsend. I am having both knees operated on next Tuesday for MCL repair as best as can be done, knee cap repair and clean out both knees to hopefully avoid complete knee replacement. Also, 3 weeks after that I will have both shoulders worked on to repair torn rotator cuff in each and to clean them out as well to hopefully make them work better longer. I know this sounds like a lot but I have degenerative joint disease and degenerative arthritis. So thank you again for sharing this and the crutches enhancement with us. Blessings, Deb
To Sue in MN…neat idea on making columns if you have a seal-a-meal type gadget. Personally, I do NOT recommend putting the cloth covers in the freezer–just the ice pack inserts. I keep the covers in a clean and dry location then just put it on an ice pack when I need to use it. That way the cover stays clean and doesn’t get frosty.
To Katherine – As noted under the list of ingredients & materials: *Note: Water to Alcohol mixture should be approximately 3 parts water to 1 part alcohol. You may wish to use more or less total liquid for a ‘fatter’ or ‘thinner’ ice pack
Hope that helps. Tracy.
thank you its a wonderful idea and ill make one for me as at 90 yrs young i have bad knees you are a very special person
eadie
Pipsy – use multiple smaller bags, or if you have a “seal-a-meal” or similar gadget, put columns in a bag, then fill them with the alcohol/water. If you want to use the commercial gel-packs, but the long skinny ones & make your cover so they fit very snugly into rows – the sticky velcro or hot-glue velcro doesn’t stand up very well to the freezer.
Is there a proportion of alcohol and water? This is a great idea. My nephew just had major sinus surgery and this could be very helpful for him.
Great idea for the cold bags. I have been purchasing gel packs. I get upper back pain and lower back pain d/t arthritis. I made a similar bag and attached 4 quite long ties to each corner. I then put 2 ties over my shoulder and the other 2 around my waist and tie them. I can adjust the height of the pack to upper or lower back and I can move around with it on or continue to sew or quilt! The biggest problem of moving around is the ice pack tends to slip down in the bag. I am still working on a solution. I may try putting ‘stick on’ velcro to the inside of the bag and onto the ice pack (may have to use glue there as not sure how the velcro would stick to the cold). Thanks for the idea!
Hi Tracy,
Wow, what a great idea! Thanks for sharing another wonderful free pattern. The instructions are very clear. I’ll be making several of these soon.
Sending you all the best as you continue your recovery.
Hi Tracy,
Thanks for instructions for the ice pack. It’ll come in handy as I have knee problems and can use it often.
Wish you and family a lovely day and hope you continue on the road to recovery.
Hi Tracy: thanx for the pattern, will definitely make it this week for my achey RA body. For those with lower back issues what I do is slip my squishy ice pack into a flannel bag that I’ve made like a small pillow case, extending the length of the excess fabric at the opening end. When I need the pac I slip it into my undies and the excess fabric is held in place by my slacks/jeans. Of course this is only worn indoors!!
Reply to DASands. Happy Easter to you too! Very cool to know someone else has been using this solution. I’ve done a few web searches since my friend told me about her solution and saw that it’s somewhat common but not necessarily widely known. Nice work using the vacuum-sealing system–that’s a fantastic option for folks who have them.
When I developed this pattern, I considered developing a strap system for folks with lower back issues (or even knees, thighs or arms, for that matter). But the complexity of that design does not lend itself well to being a free pattern.
Hugs & smiles from New Mexico, Tracy
Thanks, Tracy, my I’m on my 2nd torn meniscus–this time, lots of arthritis with it. Can’t wait to make an ice slushie tonight. Thanks, and happy Easter to you!
Tracy. you are so clever! your ideas never fail to amaze me! I wish I had had this last year when I had my total knee done! Plus, I get migraines frequently and trying to find something to wrap around an ice pack in the middle of a “blinder” is the last thing you want to be doing! This is a fantastic idea – thanks!
Another wonderful pattern. Thank you, Tracy. As you have been known to say, “Life is Good” <3
A HAPPY EASTER to YOU! I’ve been making this same solution for year’s. Just in case there is a fear the ziploc bag will leak, I use a vacuum-sealing bag and keep several handy to fit into a pouch which straps around my waist to soothe my lower back.
Hey this is pretty cool and would really beat the frozen peas wrapped in a towel my family uses. Thanks for sharing!
Tracy, you sure know how to brighten our day with your free patterns.
Boy will this one come in handy, wish I had it back in Dec. when I had Meniscus repaired in left knee! Will be making one of this first thing next week!
Thanks again.
Dear Tracy
Great pattern! I have a Seal-A-Meal I can use instead of the outer zip lock bag. No chance of leaking and harder to have small hands get to liquids.
Thanks for sharing….. Whenever my husband and I need an ice pack, we always complain about the towel unwrapping. I’ve been using large safety pins to hold the towel together. This cover you have you designed is not only good looking, but practical, safe and easy to use.
Thank you….
This is a great idea. I think I will make some for gifts for a couple of people who are often icing sore muscles. I like Misty’s idea for using them for hot towels, too. Thanks for a great idea.
Thank you for the detailed instructions, and I hope you are feeling much better.
I can’t thank you enough for this – what a life saver!!
Thanks, Tracy. I have rheumatoid arthritis, and one joint or another is yelling at me almost day. This pouch will be very helpful. Thanks again for sharing. Loralie
Thanks for the complete instructions for making the ‘ice pack’ and cover. They look stylish and well planned. They’ll look far better than the ones I have wrapped in a tea towel!
Super good idea for easing those aches and ouchies.Thanks for being so creative.
I agree this is a great idea… I work in surgery an will be giving this pattern to those people who have surgery on any joint. I also have made bags with rice in them to heat up in the microwave … this bag would also work for a cover for that item also.
This is great! It can also be used to hold a hot towel, too. We don’t have a hot water bottle anymore or a heating pad, so we wet dish towels or hand towels and put them in a gallon size zipper bag and heat them in the microwave. This pouch would work perfectly for that, too!
Thanks!
Dear Tracy,
Thank you for this wonderful idea. I have tendonitis in my right shoulder and arm and this will come in so handy alternating with some heat.
Carol Liston