More Cool Ties
Anita M. DresnerCool ties are "IN" here in Texas, as hot as it is. They are fabric tubes, approx 38 inches long. 8 inches from one end you seam across the tube, then you insert the "crystals" (1 tblspn to a 2 X 16 inch length), then 8 inches from the other end of tube you sew across the tube again.. You then soak the tube in water, the crystals will swell, place around your neck, tie the ends so it will not slip; vio;a you are ready to go out and -do what ever you do in this heat. It keeps you cool.
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Sharon in OR
The crystals to use in cool ties is called "Soil Moist" and I got mine at Home Depot in the garden center. I don't know if Wal-Mart carries it or not, but you might check. It comes in a 1 lb jar (has a navy blue lid, and the label has flowers and a sun on a blue sky), or in larger quantities. Since you only use about 1 T per cool tie, you can get a lot of them out of that little jar! The stuff looks kind of like those plastic pellets that you use for weights in stuffed animals, only the crystals are smaller. You will be surprised at how much thost little crystals swell!
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Bettie Churchwell in Florida
Cool ties are wonderful when used during all kinds of activities - tennis (first-hand knowledge), fishing, bicycling, even walking in the summertime. Would make terriffic Christmas stocking stuffers.
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Anita M. Dresner, Texas
cool ties, reusable? how to use
You soak them, allow them to swell and personally I then put mine in the refridg. to use that afternoon or next day. you may reuse them but sooner or later they will sour or otherwise become unusable. But hey, they don't take that much $ to replace.
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Sandra Carden
Found this web site in a gardening magazine. Those of you who have not seen the cool ties as well as those who haven't seen them for wrists and pets (!) might want to check it out. They have information for ordering them. This is not a sewing site, so does not include directions.
http://www.cool-clothes.com/
No affil...
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Beverly Canter, Southwest Georgia
I just made some of these. I used "Clearwater crystals". Turned out great. Used a little less than a tablespoon full for each one. I had ordered mine from:
R.A. Services P.O. Box 142 Dacula, GA 30211
They were selling them at an antique show for growing plants in. Send check or money order for $23.00 to get 20 packs, price includes shipping. Got mine within a week or two. No affiliation, just trying to help out.
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Sharon in OR
It seems that there are lots of questions on cool ties lately. Here are some instructions for those interested. These instructions are for two sizes of ties...one is a closer fit to the neck (or for smaller necks or children); the second size is for larger people or if you want it to hang longer onto your chest for more cooling. Personally, I like the larger one because it cools a larger area! They are constructed the same, but the size you cut the fabric is different, as is the amount of "Soil Moist" you put in them.....OK, here goes:
For the smaller tie:
Cut a piece of firmly-woven cotton fabric in a strip 36" long and 3" wide. Use 1 tablespoon of Soil Moist.
For the larger tie:
Cut a piece of firmly-woven cotton fabric in a strip 45" wide (or the width of your fabric, may be 44") and 3-1/2" wide. Use 1-1/2 tablespoons Soil Moist.
Instructions:
After cutting your chosen size of strip, fold it right sides together lengthwise---you have a long "snake" now. Sew across one short end, and all the way down the long strip, using 1/4" seam allowance. BE SURE YOU HAVE A TIGHT STITCH! (if you want to use 1/2" seam allowances for added security, add 1/2" to the width you cut your strip) You can also serge it, but be sure that you have a tight stitch.. I made the mistake of serging one where my stitch was a little bit loose, and the Soil Moist oozed out the stitching! You don't want that! Do NOT use more Soil Moist because you think it doesn't look like very much. For an experiment to see what it does, take 3-4 crystals and put them in a custard cup with water and watch what happens. You will see why you only need a tiny bit in the tie to do the trick. This stuff really swells a lot.
Turn the tube right side out. From the closed end, mark 9" up the tube and stitch across here. This is one end of the tie (which will not contain Soil Moist). Use a little funnel, or a piece of paper made into a funnel to put the amount of Soil Moist mentioned above for whichever size you are making into the tube.
Measure 9" up from the open end of the tube and mark; stitch across this. Turn under 1/4" of the open end and stitch that closed. Your tie is now finished.
To use the Cool Collar: place it in a pan of cold water for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Be sure to check it and don't leave it too long! I put one in water one night and forgot it until the next morning. It had swelled so much that it popped the seams and I had this ooze stuff coming out of the tie! Not a pretty sight...
After it has soaked and swelled, take it out of the water and blot off the excess water. Tie it around your neck or head and keep cool. As you wear it, depending on the heat you are in, it will begin to dehydrate and shrink, but it takes a long time. To get it going again, simply soak it again. You can also keep them in the refrigerator to keep them cool. Do not store them damp in a closed plastic bag because they will mold. I just put mine on something that won't be damaged by moisture. If you have them in the refrigerator, a plastic bag would be ok if it is left open. They keep cool for an amazingly long time. As you wear it, you may need to "smoosh" (isn't that a good word?) the tie to re-distribute the crystals.
As to where to get the Soil Moist---I got mine over a year ago from Home Depot in the house plant section; I have not looked recently for it, though.
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John Taber
Forgive me as I roll multiple cool tie answers into one reply...
First, a "fair" price for the cool ties (sorry, couldn't resist) varies according to your materials, the amount of time and effort you put into it, AND YOUR MARKET. I didn't mention this previously, but make a big point that they are reusable all summer .....great for gardeners, runners, or just relaxing on a hot day, blah, blah, blah. If I was selling them at a Miami streetfest & had to pay a vendor fee, $7.00 @ would be too little. I think that would guarantee NO sales if I were to do it at the "fundraiser" level. I would consider your cost in materials and triple it, plus add a bit for your time -- remember, a muslin tube sewn shut is going to sew up quick. Solid or print material may be used but it's hard to beat muslin for price (unless you found a good sale last week!). I am partial to the bandana covers, because the customer can wear it cowboy style, or roll it like a skinny band -- and still have the cool tie insert next to their neck. Don't forget to cover your costs on the bandanas, or make your own to sell. Advantage is that they then may buy extra inserts, or bandanas of a different color. Sometimes. It also makes producing the insert much faster -- no ties to add.
For those that just tuned in, what I am babbling about is a plain, old, bandana, folded wrong sides together on the diagonal. Measure the width of your crystal filled EXPANDED, CHILLED insert, and add 1/4 to 1/2 inch. For example, if your chilled insert is 2 1/2" wide, sew a seam 3" from the diagonal fold. The insert will slide in this space. OK, it will be COAXED into this space <VBG>. Also be certain your bobbin cover is completely closed and that you are not accidently dropping crystals in it as you fill and sew. (top loading bobbins, obviously) And yes, these are the same crystals in the insert that are sold in gardening stores. They expand tremendously when moist, and may be chilled in the freezer. If you decide to make cool ties (using the DRY crystals, of course), start with an experiment. Measure 1/2 cup of water in a throwaway cup, and add 1/8 teaspoon of crystals. Let it sit overnight. You will have a far better idea of how absorbent this stuff is and will not be tempted to overstuff the insert! (Some will ask why a throwaway cup -- it's the same reason I wouldn't put an insert in the hands of someone who is teething -- because I don't know about the pros and cons of accidentally ingesting the crystals. Why chance it?) If you want to recycle the expanded crystals, just leave the cup in the window and they will dry back out.
Don't try to sew moist crystals, you will be inadvertently squeezing out moisture directly over your bobbin case. Fortunately deductive reasoning (and not the dreaded "experience is what you get when you didn't get what you expected") won out in this instance.
You may want to make some bandana style and some self-tying cool ties and see which sell best this time -- regional tastes vary. Also, when I sold these as fundraisers in NC, there was always a subtle sign that mentioned the group benefiting by the proceeds .. and a "goldfish bowl" for pleased customers to leave their extra change if they desired.
Other suggestions -- denim is too thick, but chambray makes a good "guy" cool tie. Stay away from the darker colors, it just soaks up the sun and is less chilling.