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Instructions for making Cool-Ties and Scarves for the troops:

SCARVES FOR THE TROOPS 

Keep them nice and simple---a soft yarn, 5-7" across and no longer than 50". Neutral colors are best but any color is accepted. 

COOL TIES FOR THE TROOPS

Cool Ties have become a very popular method of keeping cool during the summer heat.  Each cool tie is made with medium size polymer which is safe and non-toxic. Cool Ties work on the principal of evaporative cooling.  Once the polymer is hydrated, the fabric surface of the Cool Tie draws the moisture from the polymer to the fabric surface, which evaporates resulting in an effective body cooler.    In areas of high humidity where no wind is present use two or three Cool Ties, keeping one in a refrigerator or ice chest and as soon as the one being worn reaches body temperature, exchange it with the one in the cooler.   Wear the Cool Tie around the neck or head and it will bring great relief from the heat! 

How to Make Cool Ties or Bandanas 

Each pound of MEDIUM size polymer contains about 115 teaspoons of crystals, which will make at least 50 bandanas at 2 teaspoons per tie.  

There are several ways to make Cool Ties.  Cotton fabric will work best, as it has superior wicking properties.  Let your imagination be your guide.  One method is to take an ordinary bandana and make a Cool Tie  by simply folding over the wide edge about an inch or an inch and a half and stitching the “hem” down to create a tube.   Complete the bandanas as with the following instructions for the ties:  

Scissors
Tape measure
Serger/sewing machine
4" strip of fabric 45" long (actual length will depend on personal preference)
One Tablespoon of medium Watersorb polymer granules.  

DIRECTIONS

1. Cut one strip of fabric 4" wide from a fabric that is at least 45" wide.   If you want to have a bow to tie use a 60" wide fabric.
2. Fold the fabric strip in half lengthwise (the piece should be 4" by 22 1/2").   Mark the fold.  This is the center back of the neck band.  Open up the fabric and measure and mark 7" on each side of the center back.

Fold the fabric right sides together the width of the strip (the piece should now be 2" by 45".)  Using a 5/8" seam, stitch between the marks.  (There should be 14" stitched--7" on either side of center back.)

3. The tail ends may be rounded or slanted to give a more finished look.  Finish the edges and ends of the rest of the band by serging or turning and stitching.  Press.

4. Turn tube right side out and press. At one end of the tube, stitch to close, then double stitch for strength. At this point you should have one end of the tube open.

5.      Carefully pour the polymer granules into the tube (1-3 teaspoons). Stitch the tube closed. Reinforce with another row of stitching.