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Maybe this will be the answer for the terrible sweats we all discussed here last week.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shirley Oswalt

Does anyone know what neck coolers are filled with,they are about 36' long,made like a tube to fill. You can run cold water over and they enlarge. Put around neck to cool in the heat.

Soil-Moist. They have it at Lowes

Hi
I get mine at Wal-Mart in the garden dept.
They are called Miracle Grow
water storing crysatals.
They come in a small bag 12 ozs.
Good luck
Silly Sewer Sandi

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonwork42029

From the "Hugs of Western Kentucky" site for soldiers:
Items

Hugs (cool ties) Instructions

1. Use 100% cotton fabric (use beige to darker browns) , 45" - 52" wide. (fundraiser ones can be in other colors)

2. Cut strips in 5"widths of fabric.

3. Fold strip in half lengthwise, right sides together (Inside out).

4. Sew down long side, using a 3/8" seam allowance backstitching at start and stop. Use small stitch (12 stitches per inch or 2.0 setting). Sew second run the same way for double stitching to make it hold up.

5. Sew across ONE END ONLY.

6. Turn tie right side out (using a ¼" or 3/8" piece of metal tubing makes it easy, starting at sewn end pushing it in and then sliding down tubing)

7. This step is optional but makes it easier for sewing the rest. Press lightly along the seam itself to "open" it somewhat, then press tie flat with seam along one edge.

8. Fold tie in ½ and lightly press center to mark it allowing ¼" from open end. Mark 10" - 11" from each side of center with tailor's chalk, which will leave 20" - 22" in the center (this is where the polymer crystals will be held).

9. Locate the mark closest to the "closed" end and sew across it. Double stitch.

10. Using a funnel, push tie up on end of funnel till it passes the mark at the end not sewn and put 2 teaspoons of polymer crystals. NOTE: too many crystals will prevent the cool tie from draping around the neck.

11. Sew the mark nearest the open end closed trapping the crystals inside the middle.

12. Turn in a ¼" seam allowance on the unfinished end and sew across end to close tie.

13. You have finished making a HUG for one of our troops. Congratulations...

Smellies (fresheners) Instructions

1. Place uncooked rice in a bowl and add 5 drops of Essential oil (for fragrance) per cup of rice. Mix well and place in a Ziploc baggie and allow it to sit for 24 to 36 hrs.

2. Cut material into 4" x 6" pieces.

3. Fold in 1/2 and sew 2 sides together with ¼" seams leaving one end open.

4. Turn right side out and put enough rice to fill (not overfill) the bag (approx 1/4 - 1/3 cup).

5. Turn ¼" in and sew across to close. Takes 2 for each one of our troops (two feet = two smellies)

6. You have finished making Smellies for one of our troops. Congratulations...

You can get the polymer in the garden shops of most Walmarts.

Thank you for the tute!

Wish I knew; they are wonderful things.

These "cool ties" work wonders for us women who suffer hot flashes.

i'm going to make some. i have used the store bought and they do help, but i would like to make my own. going to try the button too. that could be helpful. will make a bunch for our soldiers and probably will make a bunch for my co workers. we work outside all day and have to wear hardhats also.

I just bought some at WalMart in the gardening section. Miracle Gro water storing crystals.

Thanks for the information, & for the pattern, too!! Can't wait to make a couple for my daughter & myself in this hot climate!!!

You can get the stuff at a garden store. It is white pellets and it is what is used by florists. They put it in floral arrangements. It puffs up and retains water. It doesn't take much for it to expand. I can get the exact name if you need it.

Soil Moist. It can be found in the garden center. I found mine at my local True Value.

Went to Hobby Lobby today - bridal was 1/2 off. They had Crystal Accents (the stuff for the neckcoolers) on sale. Large jar (makes 6 gallons) was $9.99 ($5), small packets were $2.99 ($1.50.) I got the last large jar. She said they had a run on them and they were selling like crazy. If you live near a Hobby Lobby, you might check it out. Bridal Department.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jljack

A couple of weekends ago a friend of mine and I made 60 helmet coolers and 32 cooling scarves like these and sent them to troops in Afghanistan. We have a Soldiers Angels group at our church, and we do stuff like this all the time. It's really a neat thing...you can use cut up sheets to make them, just dye them dark beige or khaki green.

Could you please tell me what helmet coolers are and how to make them? Thank you very much

Thank you for the tute on the kiss. I did several of the ties for my son and his buddies when he was overseas, but I had never heard of the Kiss but now that I have I will have to make some of both the send to his buddies that are back over there again. Thank you again for the pattern.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fouxy

What is the Kiss?

A KISS is a circular “beanie” which can be worn under a helmet. They serve as a type of cooling device and are often referred to as head coolers. Though our focus is to make these for our troops serving in desert environments, they can be used by anyone. These will also work under a ball cap if you cut them slightly smaller and use even less crystals, and if the ball cap has mesh for air circulation. They are great for farmers, lawn mowers or anyone who works out in the heat all day. Kisses can also be heated in wintertime and used as a reusable hand warmer.

DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING A KISS
1. Cut two 6 1/2—7” circles.
2. Seam around the edge using a 1/4” to 1/2” seam allowance, and leave an opening about 1 1/2” to 2” for
turning right side out. (You can also use a serger or tight zigzag and NOT turn them.)
3. Turn right side out, no ironing necessary.
4. Fill with a very scant 1/2 teaspoon of crystals.
5. Close by stitching on the outside to close opening, encasing a soak tag in the seam. Soak tag should read:
Soak in water for about 20 minutes then place in your helmet for a cooling effect.
6. Hydrate the first one and see if 1/2 teaspoon is too much or not enough. The KISS should puff up about
1/4” to 1/2”
7. Adjust amount of crystals if needed. Better too few crystals as too many will make it difficult to snap the
helmet strap closed.
Place finished KISS in a plastic bag, which can be used for hydrating and include this or other personalized KISS label.

Remember when you were a child
At night safe in your bed
When Mom would tuck you snugly in
Then kiss you on the head.
Well, here’s a little “kiss” for you
It seemed the perfect name
It’s safety that we wish for you
So now, we do the same.
Just soak this “kiss” in water
For 20 minutes or more
Then place it on your head
To cool you off for sure.

copied and pasted this from page 3 of this same thread.

I googled it and found it, it only takes one eigth of a teaspoon,, Hard to believe but it works,