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”
- 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.
Return to sewing machine and continue stitching all the way down to the end. Backstitch to secure.
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.
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.
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