Small (r)Ice Pack Tutorial

(r)Ice Pack Bundles

I was recently going through my stash of fabric.  I like to save even the smallest of scraps because you never know how or when they may be handy.  From small appliqués to American Girl Doll quilts, these scraps have been helpful in a variety of projects.  This past summer, I made a gorgeous picnic blanket, and have held on to a variety of sizes of scraps.  Turns out, there were a dozen pieces of fabric about 5"x9".  These were perfect inspiration for making Small (r)Ice Packs.  

Photos Above: Some of my larger scraps, organized by like sizing

To make your own, start with any size fabric you like, but keep in mind that if using these as pocket warmers, boot warmers, ice packs for bumps and bruises, something in the 4"x4" finished size category is just about perfect.  (It's important to note that my sewing is like my cooking.  I tend to wing it with the materials/ingredients I have on hand.  If you want to be more precise, please do so.)  

Once your fabric is chosen and cut to the appropriate dimension (my fabric was already in 5"x9" pieces), iron each piece flat, and then again folded inside out to maintain shape while stitching (I do not pin these because they are small enough I can easily manipulate and control as needed, however, if you would prefer to pin, I would advise you to do so).

 

Once the ironing is complete it is time to stitch.  Ensure you have right sides together before beginning.

I have a wonderful Brother Sewing Machine!  My first sewing machine was also a Brother, and from Walmart.  It was much like this one, with even fewer bells and whistles.  After 12 years with this basic model, I treated myself to a Brother (I like the brand- both in function and price) from Costco.  My model is not listed on their website, but here are a few choices they offer.  

I prefer to sew with a 1/4" inseam, regardless of the project.  This is my recommendation for the (r)Ice Packs.  When stitching, be sure to also leave an opening about 1" in length (see photo below).  This will be helpful when turning right side out, and for filling your pack.  It's also important to trim your corners (see photo below).  Doing so will ensure you have a straight corner in your finished product, as opposed to rounded (and possibly mismatched) corners.  

Once your piece is right side out, iron again to make sure everything is where it belongs.  Now it's time to fill your pack with rice.  I use white rice from Costco.  It comes 25 lbs. bags.  Yes, it is a lot of rice.  I tend to go through a 25 lbs. bag about once every 4 months, and use it only to make (r)Ice Packs.  Each of these packs in this tutorial will use between 1-1.25 cups of rice.  

Once your packs are about 1/2 full of rice, it's time to stitch the opening so they stay closed and provide years of soothing heat and calming cold.

I stacked mine neatly as I stitched them.  They remind me of bean bags from a bean bag toss game when they are piled this way.  Next up, it's time to bundle them.  Rather than purchase ribbon, I like to use shreds of scrap fabric to create a ribbon.  

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