Neck chills.
This summer, I have been so into neck stuff for accessories–bandanas, neck ties and the like. I thought I was going to get into headbands but I need not look any younger so bandanas tied around the neck it became. And then what followed was cooling neck ties. This is the kind of thing my mom owns. And I scoffed at initially, my how the tides turn. It’s like imagining the return of twisty beads. I’m going to make it happen. But these have smaller ties and look more like a boy scout tie or an ascot that it amuses me. The cooling neck ties, made for both young and old around these parts.
The trouble is they are just so darn quick and easy to make that the level of satisfaction on this project is really high, so you ride the wave and hate to fall so you just keep making more. So far I’ve made five. I imagined making one for all my family but stopped. My sister would make fun of me and my brother would never wear it and my mom, well, she already has one. My dad doesn’t count. He’d wear, eat or say anything.
To make these satisfying suckers for an adult, I cut a 4″ band of fabric about 31″ long and fold in half. Leave a 9″ opening in the middle to make three 3″ pockets for the water absorbing crystals. (Thanks for helping me find them!)
After you sew up the ends, turn it rightside out and sew up the three pockets. The pockets help it fold around your neck nicer. They soak up crazy amounts of water and can dry out again. Add about 1/4 teaspoon of crystals to each pocket, see photo below for visual representation, and sew up the opening.
This is how big one single crystal gets when soaked for a couple hours.
Crazy right? Soak your neck tie for a couple hours and enjoy! I have used them in the Savannah heat and we like it and helps us and since we love neck accessories we love how we look. Take that.
Edit to add: Here is a sewing diagram to detail how to sew up the neck coolers. Hope this helps!
Entry Filed under: sewing, step-by-step
20 Comments Add your own
1. Rose | July 6th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Awesome! Anything to stay cool!
And holy smokes, I forgot all about twisty beads. My mom had a TON of those things, and all the fancy clasps, too.
2. Mandy | July 7th, 2009 at 7:56 am
And with your new shirt! Cute! It’s probably not quite as hot here in NC, but I think I still need to try and make one!
3. JenJen | July 7th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Lord, I must be an idiot … can you draw a picture or show some more illos of how you sew up the pockets, etc? I’d LOVE to make these for myself and my sweetie :)
4. betz White | July 7th, 2009 at 10:29 am
I love this! I agree with JenJen, a photo of a finished one lying flat might help illustrate the pocket thing.
5. sarah | July 7th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Awesome! So glad you’re into them. I’ll post a diagram later today to clear up the pocket issue.
6. Adalene | July 7th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Super cute invention! And I enjoy the way you write! :0)
7. bikerjac | July 7th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Have made mine with a bandana, diagonally folded in half, sew an area about 1 inch wide across the widest of bias fold, leave one end open to receive “beads”. Leave abour 3 inches at each end not sewn so there is enough length to tie. Soak in water, tie around neck, and enjoy. I have washed mine in the washing machine. Once it is no longer used and dries out, I tend to “wiggles” the beads so they won’t all clump together - want to keep them separated so the cloth is still flexible and can be folded for the duration. An outstanding project with pleasant results - especially when it is stiffling in Missouri.
8. Leslie | July 7th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
We make these in production mode for the troops overseas, it is very HOT in Iraq and Afghanistan. We use a much easier method as we make them by the 100s.
9. lorchick | July 7th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Is that the same kind of stuff that the inside of diapers is made of…? Like, do they get jellyish when wet? Cos if so I’m totally hackslashing a diaper for this. LOL
10. Jana | July 7th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Where do u find the crystals??
11. Dave | July 7th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Some googling turned up these sources for the crystals. There are probably others but these are the first I came across.
http://www.watercrystals.com/
http://www.watersorb.com/
12. Anne Weaver | July 8th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Brilliant!! I posted a link to your tutorial at Craft Gossip Sewing: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sew-a-cooling-neckwrap/2009/07/08/
–Anne
13. JOANIE | July 8th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Jana,I bought mine at Walmart-garden section-THANKS A LOT Sarah for the directions. I’ve wanted this for my grandchildren. It is BIG TIME HOT!!! here in Louisiana. take care Joanie
14. sarah | July 8th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Hey thanks all! In the post, I link to a post where I talk about trying to find the crystals. I looked at Wal-Mart and Lowes and couldn’t find them there, but ultimately found them at Michael’s in the floral section with all the decorative rock stuff. So far as these being the same stuff as in diapers, somewhere I read online said it was. But I’m not sure! They do come in different sizes so its possible that the diaper crystals are smaller or larger than the ones I bought so you may have to change the amount you put in the neckwrap accordingly. If you overfill your neckwrap, when the crystals absorb the water they will literally squish out through the weave of the fabric, so don’t overfill them. Good luck all!!
15. samsstuff | July 8th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
My husband has one of these that he purchased for use when on bike rides. Thanks for posting a way to make them. I’m sure he could use more than one this coming summer (at a fraction of the price)!
16. JenJen | July 9th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Thanks so much, Sarah, for adding the diagram!!! I really appreciate all of the continued sharing of ideas with us - You Rock!!!
17. featherbed | July 9th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
you are hilarious and I love what you have done here!! I am SO making one….and one made in “team colors” for sporting events hehe
18. miepcadex | July 11th, 2009 at 2:34 am
Ha! i haven’t seen these since the late eighties…. My mom did a commercial and a bit of modeling for a company who made these. She had to be really sporty and pretend to talk to this guy..She told us they were really just saying things like “peas and carrots” because it looked like they were talking. Your version is much neater. Thanks for reminding me…Best!
19. Caryn | September 8th, 2009 at 10:39 am
I’m wondering if the beads are the same things you get in new shoe boxes that say “do not eat” on them. It says they are silica gel beads. I’ve often thought of saving them because that’s what is used to make dried flowers.
20. Bren | September 27th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
I have severe ostioarthritis in 3/4 of my spine, neck and shoulders and I also had rotary cuff tendinitous surgery. I am comfortly saying I feel this neck band has really helped to ease my pain some what.. Yes it does help me feel better.
I'm curious about your two cents. You smart cookie!
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