The neck cooler instructions
Charity Pattern - Neck Coolers (sewn)
Sewers alert: Your help is needed now to help many of the United States Service Personnel who are serving in other countries around the world.
Temperatures in some of the countries reach 140 degrees every day, and you can help them stay a little cooler by making these easy to sew neck coolers. The coolers are soaked in water until each pocket bulges, then they are placed around the neck and tied. The crystals slowly release the absorbed water and the evaporation of the water will cool them for hours.
To make seventeen neck coolers purchase 1 1/3 yard of 60-inch wide fabric and Watering Crystals-Soil Moisture Plus. Fabric must be brown Desert camo colored (all cotton), or twill fabric which is medium or dark colored khaki (tan). Crystals may be purchased at Lowes, Home Depot, Agway or a gardening shop. Cut the fabric 44 1/2 inches long and fold the fabric in half so the selvages are together.
Mark the cutting lines onto the fabric with a disappearing pen. Place the first line 1 3/4 inches from the fold line. The folded fabric will open up to 3 1/2 inches when cut. Mark the remainder of the fabric with lines 3 1/2 inches apart.
The selvage threads shrink when the crystals are wet so it is best to cut it off. It is easy to cut the strips with a rotary cutter and a 4-foot T-square if they are available.
Separate and stack the cut strips of fabric and fold one in half lengthwise with the right sides of the fabric together. Sew a straight stitch down the side and across the bottom of the folded fabric. The seam allowance is 1/4 inch. Stitch again with a narrow zigzag stitch close to the seam line for added strength.
Turn the tube to the right side using a tube turner or a piece of PVC pipe and a wooden dowel. Use a disappearing ink pen and mark the tube into sections. Start at the end that is sewn closed and mark a line at 14 inches, then four 4-inch sections and one 14-inch section. You will have 1/4 inch at the end for the seam allowance.
Double stitch across the tube at the first 14-inch line and secure the ends of the thread with a knot and a sealant like Fray Check. Place a funnel inside the open end of the tube and place a level 1/4 teaspoon of the crystals inside the tube. Shake the crystals down to the first seam line and double stitch across the second line. Continue until the four center pockets are filled with crystals and are sewn closed.
Don't over fill or place crystals in the 14-inch pockets. Turn the seam allowance to the inside of the tube and double stitch across the top of the tube.
Repeat the instructions above for the remaining tubes. Place each neck cooler into a plastic bag. Vacuum any spilled crystal immediately, they are very slippery when wet. Store and keep the crystals out of reach of children and pets.
Anna Marie Stewart is president of the Family Support Group of the FRG HHC 1/110th Infantry which is the largest National Guard in the United States. She may be contacted at 724-836-8234 for drop-off points or an address where they can be mailed. Donation of funds will also be accepted to cover expenses for the printing of instruction sheets which are enclosed with each neck cooler, supplies for workshops and shipping cost to send the coolers to troops of the United States Service Personnel. Sewing Guilds, Quilting Guilds, and sewing and quilting stores are participating in this project.
Thanks again!
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." Erma Bombeck
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9/3/09 Full TT, MR, BL, BA, Arm Reduction and Lipo 10-12 lbs skin/fat removed
