Deb's "Cool Ties" for hot soldiers project

*emeleel* · #1 07-08-2004, 10:27 AM

I was just browsing Deb's Marine Moms website and came across this:

http://marinecorpsmoms.com/archives/000151.html

They're making those neckerchief thingys with water absorbent crystals in them for folks over in the hot spots. 108-115 degree temperatures right now over there!

Can you tell us just a bit more, Deb? Like how much crystals cost, sewing instructions, etc.? I bet there are several people here who would love to help! I know I would if the crystals aren't too much, and if I can find my sewing machine over at my MIL's house.

**theworm**[$] · #2 07-08-2004, 10:33 AM

Deb! I love this idea!!!!
When I get back from my trip next week, I'd love to try and get involved. I bought a smaller cool tie thingy for when I jog in the heat, and it really helps. They would be great to help with the heat over there!

frazzledspice · #3 07-08-2004, 11:37 AM

According to the link, you could make 250 cool ties with $9 worth of particles, and you could use 100% cotton fabric costing as little as $2 a yard.

My daughter has just purchased a sewing machine with her Confirmation money, and is, so far, working on her own designs (presently making a messenger bag.)

These would be an easy project for her to do with her friends in her spare time this summer. I think I will suggest it to her.

**conradd** · #4 07-08-2004, 05:08 PM

Thank you so much for offering to help - the troops will really appreciate it. My son said last year that it was the only way he could sleep during the day when he had night guard duty. Outside temps were 130 and it was hotter inside the tents. He'd wake up in a pool of sweat. The cool ties at least let his head cool off and it was enough for him to get a few hours sleep. Here's the link to the post on my website.

The directions for the cool ties are simple - they are really easy to sew. I ordered the polyacrymide crystals from www.watersorb.com (or if you are only making a few, you can get them in a smaller package at Wal-Mart in the gardening section) and use 100% cotton fabric so that the moisture can wick properly. I cut 7-inch strips (not on the bias) from selvedge to selvedge (finished edges), sew it into a tube, turn it, double-stitch the tube closed on one end 10 inches from the selvedge, pour in 2 teaspoons crystals, and sew the other end shut 10 inches from the selvedge. The ends aren't finished, but it looks fine and this would be tucked into their flak jackets or under their helmets anyway. It speeds up the process exponentially. My mom tucked the edges in and oversewed at a 45-degree angle and this looked better but probably wasn't necessary. The colors really should be neutral although I don't think the guys are going to complain about anything that isn't pink or lavender. I found some really ugly closeout fabric at JoAnnes that I got for $1/yard and Wal-Mart usually has a bargain bin too. The stuff I'm using now came from an Africa print line that didn't sell well - zebra stripes and giraffe splotches in Marine green and brown, but it's perfect for neck coolers. I can't imagine buying it for any other use. I also found some snakeskin print that the guys really like - they said it's like wearing a boa constrictor around their necks. :-) I can get about 5 ties from one yard of fabric. The crystals go a long way since it takes only about 2 tsp. to fill a tie.

The neck coolers can be washed with a bit of laundry detergent, and a few drops of rubbing alcohol added to the rinse water will help kill germs. My son soaks his neck cooler overnight in clear water and it's good to go the next day.

Here are some pictures of the ties:

and

If you don't sew but know someone who does, or have a friend who is a quilter, please pass this along. Right now, we're sewing for the 1st LAR up by the Syrian border. There are 1,000 men in that battalion and several other battalions have asked for them too. And I'd love to have some to send to Shane when he deploys next month. The 1/7 will have at least two months of very hot weather before it cools off.

Thanks again - the guys are very touched that people care enough to do this. I can provide addresses of the gunnies in the companies when you have a supply to send. I just need to know how many you're sending so that we can make sure that every one is covered.

Deb

**lynnzop**[$] · #5 07-08-2004, 07:55 PM

Great project, and a good reminder to work on them for the guys and gals over there! Thanks Melanie (and Deb!)

From experience here in the states, I trained for the Avon walk with one of these two summers ago. They were lifesavers in the Iowa heat....I can imagine they would be godsends for anyone in a real desert.

frazzledspice · #6 07-09-2004, 10:02 AM

I was wondering about the best length, Deb.

I'm thinking about shirt sizes--14 1/2, 15, etc.

How much longer than the neck size should the cool tie be?

**conradd** · #7 07-09-2004, 11:25 AM

I just make them the length of the fabric - 45 inches. I cut 7" strips that are 45" long, make a tube, turn them, etc. The guys just tie them around their necks so neck size isn't an issue. I can send you a sample tie if it would be easier.

**jgibson2**[$] · #8 07-11-2004, 04:29 PM

Count me in! I may even have some fabric here already. If not, I'll visit Walmart and/or JoAnn's this week. I'll let you know when I have some ready to ship.

*emeleel* · #9 07-11-2004, 05:07 PM

I found the crystals at Walmart this weekend. $7.97 for a jar with about 2 cups in it. (I forgot to look at the exact volume listed.) It's in the houseplants section of gardening, with the plant food and such like.

**jgibson2**[$] · #10 07-11-2004, 05:24 PM

For $13.30, you can get 2 lbs of polymer (230 tsp or about 5 cups) postage paid from the Watersorb folks. I ordered 2 lbs. If anyone nearby wants some, let me know. I'd be glad to share. I figure I can always repot the few houseplants that survived my 2 week absence with a couple teaspoons added to the soil if I have extra. I should have known nobody would remember to water them.

At least my cacti are still happy.

**conradd** · #11 07-11-2004, 08:54 PM

As soon as anyone has some ready to send, I'll provide addresses. I thought it would be easiest if we used a Just-In-Time approach so that we don't duplicate shipments. And the Marines and other troops would love a personal note in their shipment too.

I got an e-mail from one Marine today who said that he'd waited over an hour to get into the internet cafe in 130 degree heat. He loved his cool tie!

Deb

frazzledspice · #12 07-11-2004, 10:43 PM

Last night I talked to my friend who is active in military support (her son's college education was interrupted when he was called to go to Iraq with the National Guard, and he has been there since the end of March.)

She had never heard of the cool ties and thought they were a neat idea. I told her I would print out the information on your website so she could share it with the wives and moms who meet at Fort Chaffee.

Thank you.

**jgibson2**[$] · #13 07-13-2004, 02:48 PM

JoAnn's has 100% cotton fabric on sale for $2/yard right now. Most of it isn't very neutral, but there's some 4th of July leftovers that shouldn't be too obnoxious. I wish I could have found that boa constrictor stuff, but maybe next time.

I treated myself to a rotary cutter and mat (mat 30% off) so I can whip them out.

The watersorb folks recommend washing to remove sizing before you make the cool ties. Is that necessary?

**jgibson2**[$] · #14 07-14-2004, 01:58 AM

I highly recommend using a rotary cutter. I know I'll use it many times in the future - for more cool ties and for other projects.

It took me 15 minutes to turn 7.5 yards of fabric into 39 7" strips. I'd have stitched them all into tubes this afternoon, but one of my neighbors decided to take down a tree and landed it on the power lines so we didn't have electricity for about 4 hours today.

I might get them done before I leave for Cub Scout camp in the morning. If so, I'll get the cubs to help me turn them and have the boys write a note to include in the package. I should have crystals here by the time we get back, so I can add those and finish them - shouldn't take long. I'll let you know when they're ready to mail.

**conradd** · #15 07-14-2004, 05:27 AM

I didn't bother washing the fabric after I realized that the ties would be soaked before wearing anyway. It does speed up the process.

Do you have a unit to send them to? I have addresses if you need them. The guys over there love to get letters from kids. That should be a big hit.

Deb

**jgibson2**[$] · #16 07-14-2004, 09:50 AM

Quote:

conradd said

I didn't bother washing the fabric after I realized that the ties would be soaked before wearing anyway. It does speed up the process.

Do you have a unit to send them to? I have addresses if you need them. The guys over there love to get letters from kids. That should be a big hit.

Deb

Bob brought home the address of a Marine whose mom works with him, so we do have a unit -- I'll share that info by PM when I'm ready to mail in case it's one you're already sending to.

My sons have a Marine friend they think will be deploying in August. I need to ask him if he can take some cool ties with him or if we should mail them to him. He doesn't get to my house too often when I'm home, so I probably need to get them to deliver a sample and a note. I have 25 ready to take to Cub Scout camp so the kids (and leaders) can help me turn them. After that, I'm going to be shamelessly toting them with me to Karate classes, etc and asking friends and strangers to help with the turning since that's the most time-consuming part of the task.

*emeleel* · #17 07-14-2004, 09:58 AM

(Interrupting this thread for a test - I can't get to the second page! Testing post, testing post......)

**jgibson2**[$] · #18 07-14-2004, 09:59 AM

I couldn't for a minute either, but it's working now

*emeleel* · #19 07-17-2004, 12:04 AM

Errr, Deb...

You said they soak them overnight to rinse them out?

Well. Today I bought a jar of the crystals that Walmart carries. Just out of curiosity, I poured out one scoopful from the scoop that is included with the jar - 5 cc. Added water. More water. More water. MORE water. Finally put them in a hand strainer and stuck them in a bowl of water. That one scoop has completely and totally filled the strainer. I haven't poured it into a measuring cup yet, but I'm thinking it's somewhere between 2 1/2 and 3 cups in volume.

Does that sound right? 5 cc is what, one teaspoon, right? So two of these scoops would be what the instructions call for.

I dunno - thinking about it, I realize it's 25 inches worth of tube that the crystals are in. It just seems like SO many crystals!

**conradd** · #20 07-17-2004, 12:54 AM

ROFL!! 2 tsp does it for me. I haven't used the scoop, I just use a teaspoon measure so I'm not sure how it equates. I think that 2.5-3 cups would be about right though.