DIY Ice Pop Sleeve: The Cutest Way to Keep Hands Warm and Treats Cold This Summer!

Nichole Jensen
12 minutes ago
4 min read

Child holding two blue popsicles with patterned sleeves, smiling in a garden. Wearing a white tank top, pink nail polish. Lush green leaves in back.

Ice pops and freezie treats are a summer favorite for kids and adults in our household—but those frosty tubes can get really chilly. Enter the ultimate DIY solution: a handmade ice pop sleeve (also known as a freezie koozie, freeze pop holder, ice pop pouch, or ice pop cozy). These adorable sleeves are the perfect way to keep hands warm while keeping your treat nice and cold.

Even better? They’re fast, easy, and fun to sew—even if you're just diving into sewing as a beginner. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to create the best-fitting, easiest-to-use design that your kids (and your hands) will love.

Why You’ll Love This Ice Pop Sleeve Design

Universal Fit – Opens fully and adjusts to fit any size freeze pop.
Adjusts with the Pop – The bottom opening allows you to push the treat upward while keeping it cozy.
Quick and Scrappy – Uses just a small amount of fabric, perfect for scrap-busting!

Whether you're sewing for your own family or making a batch for summer party favors, this is a practical and adorable project that you’ll return to again and again.

Watch the video tutorial:

Supplies You’ll Need

To make one cozy ice pop pouch, gather the following:

Fabric & Notions

Flannel fabric: Cut to 5 ¼” wide x 4 ½” long
Cotton woven fabric: Cut to 5 ¼” wide x 4 ½” long
¾” hook and loop tape (Velcro): Cut to 3 1/8”

Tools

Sewing machine
Thread: Match or coordinate with your fabric
Rotary cutter, mat & ruler
OR
Fabric scissors
Iron & ironing board
Fabric clips or pins

Optional But Helpful

Fabric marking pencil
Turning tool – Makes flipping easy

Step-by-Step: How to Sew a Freezie Pop Holder

Step 1: Cut Your Fabric

Cut both your flannel and cotton fabric to 5 ¼” x 4 ½” rectangles. If you are using a directional print, cut your fabric so the top of the 4 1/2" side is the top of the finished sleeve.

TIP: Use your rotary cutter and ruler for quick, precise cuts, or scissors if you prefer.

Hands arranging a blue polka-dotted fabric with red clips on a green cutting mat. Red bowl with clips on the left.

Step 2: Sew Fabrics Together

Place the cotton and flannel right sides together.

Sew around all four sides using a ¼” seam allowance, leaving a 1” opening at the bottom.

A hand with decorated nails holds blue-patterned fabric as teal scissors cut it on a green grid cutting mat.

Step 3: Flip and Press

Cut the excess fabric from the corners. Clip right next to the stitch line, but do NOT cut the stitch line itself.

Hands with strawberry nail art hold a blue and white fabric on a teal cutting mat with yellow grid lines, creating a crafty vibe.

Step 4: Flip and Press

Turn your pouch right side out through the opening.

Use a turning tool or chopstick to gently push out the corners

Hands holding blue polka dot fabric with opening over a green cutting mat with yellow grid lines. Fingernails have patterned nail art.

Press flat with an iron, folding in the raw edges at the opening to match the seam.

Step 5: Topstitch

Sew a ⅛” topstitch around the entire outer edge. This will close the opening and give a clean, professional finish.

Hands marking blue fabric with polka dots using a black pen on a grid mat. A red basket filled with clips is in the background.

Step 6: Attach Velcro

Now it’s time to add the hook and loop tape (Velcro).

Place the soft (loop) side of the Velcro on the cotton side, left edge.
Place the rough (hook) side on the flannel side, right edge.
Align the tape about ⅜” from the top and bottom edges.

TIP: Mark placement lines with a fabric pen to center them easily.

Hands holding blue polka-dotted fabric with clips holding Velcro on a teal grid mat. A red basket of clips is in the background.

Sew along the edges of the Velcro to secure, trying to stay on your previous topstitching line, if possible, for a seamless look.

Your Ice Pop Cozy Is Ready!

Just wrap it around your favorite freeze pop, secure the Velcro, and enjoy cold treats without freezing your fingers. Because it opens flat, even small kids can wrap and secure it themselves. Plus, as the treat gets shorter, you can slide the cozy up without removing it!

Why Make Your Own Ice Pop Sleeves?

Besides being absolutely adorable, these DIY freeze pop holders have practical perks:

Eco-Friendly & Reusable – No more paper towels or napkins wasted!
Washable – Just toss in the laundry.
Budget-Friendly – Great use for fabric scraps and leftover Velcro.
Customizable – Match party themes, add names, or use fun novelty prints.

These also make great summer craft fair sellers, birthday party favors, and end-of-school gifts for classmates.

Tips for Customization

Personalize with heat transfer vinyl or embroidery.
Add a tag to label flavors or names.
Try fun character fabrics to match your kiddo’s favorite cartoons.

Final Thoughts

Sewing a DIY ice pop sleeve is fast, beginner-friendly, and incredibly useful. With just a few simple materials, you can create a colorful and reusable way to enjoy summer treats without the chill.

Perfect for long pool days, family BBQs, or just a Tuesday afternoon popsicle on the porch.

Ready to Make Your Own?

Colorful ice pops in pink and blue wrappers with butterfly and shark patterns on a white wooden surface. Text reads "Strawberry."

Grab some fabric scraps and your sewing machine and make a batch today! You'll wonder how you ever lived without them.

And don't forget to subscribe so you're notified when new patterns and projects come out!

Happy crafting!