A Way To Keep Cool In The Heat

We don't need a weather prognosticator to tell us that it is hot, going to be hot, or getting hotter.  All we have to do is walk outside!  Oh my goodness it has been hot for the last week.   

We have a really big yard to mow and Dan pushes a mower.  No riding mower here sad to say.  He tries to wait until it cools down a bit toward evening to do the mowing, but it is still hot and we are not kids anymore.  

I know there are products on the market that can be purchased to help keep you cool, but this is my solution that I came up with after a visit to, where else, the Dollar Tree.  

They had a bunch of bandanas that were selling two for a dollar.  They are polyester and not 100% cotton, but you can purchase those at Hobby Lobby or Michaels and they cost a bit more.  I grabbed a couple of packages of the bandanas because I thought I can do something with those, just don't know what.  As I picked up some other things I needed, I came to the aisle where they have things like bandaids, and I came across these. 

  And my brain went, WOW!  I know what I can do with these bandanas. (This is the way my brain works sometimes - kind of backwards).   So, I purchased several of the hot or cold packs along with my bandanas and headed for home.  Ideas were already formulating.

I thought about the best way to make my "idea" and this is what I came up with.  I cut a bandana in half on the diagonal like this.  Fold the bandana into a triangle and run your scissors along the fold to make two triangles.

 I wanted to make a pocket to hold the cold pack so I measured it folded in half long ways (horizontally) to know how deep to make the pocket.  I needed the pocket to be 3 and 3/8 inches deep.  

Then, I zigzagged the cut edge of the bandana by turning it under about 1/4 inch ( or it could be serged - my serger is not cooperating at the moment.)  I use clear thread when I do these projects so I don't have to keep changing colors.  Yes, it works in the bobbin too.

Next, I folded the zig zagged edge down  3 and 3/8 inches and began stitching 2 inches in from the point where the fold meets the edge of the bandana.   I wanted the "pocket" to be snug so the ice pack would not slide around when put into the bandana, and it  also allows the cold pack to bend around your neck.  *Be sure and start sewing 2 inches "in" and finish sewing 2 inches before the end.*  Backstitch your sewing at the beginning and end to make sure the stitching does not come out.  I stitched this seam several times so it would be really sturdy and not rip out when putting the cold pack in the pocket. 

You can put the cold pack in the bandana by folding the cold pack in half and sliding it into the "pocket".  You can place the whole thing in the freezer and take it out when you are ready to go out into the heat.  Or, you can put just the cold pack in the freezer and put it in the bandana when you are ready to wear it.  I had Dan wear it to try it out and it stayed cool for about 1 and 1/2 hours in extreme heat with heavy "exercise".  I keep a spare cold pack in the freezer so that he can change it out if he needs to.  The cold pack can be removed to launder the bandana and then you can put it back in the pocket and store in the freezer until the next use.  

I made these in several different colors and you can get two out of each bandana. I did buy all the cold packs they had at our Dollar Tree and could not find them at any of the others because each store does their own ordering.  But, do not despair!!!  You can find them at Wal Mart, Target, and the big chain drug stores.  They are not much more expensive there.

I sent a couple to my friend Lindsay who works outside with her horses a lot and she reported today that she is very excited about them.  She said they kept her from scorching in the heat.  That made me happy to know they are serving their purpose.  My daughter in Dallas wants some because it is so hot there and she likes to walk or sometimes she likes to work in the yard and the heat is almost unbearable at times.  It was 110 every day for two weeks last August when we were there helping out after the newest family member arrived. Let me tell you, that is HOT!  She took the boys to the zoo last week and got a little overheated.  These will certainly help that situation!   I also sent some home with my sister today.  Her husband is an electrician and works in new construction and attics with no air conditioning.  He's going to like them I guarantee you!  

These will be a real help to anyone who is out in the heat for whatever reason.    You could take a spare cold pack or two with you in a cooler to get you through the day.  This is about a 20 minute sewing project and is so easy to do.  If you would like to have some of these and you don't sew, message me and I will talk to you about making some for you.  

Give this project a try.  You could make someone's day!  They would be an awesome gift - very inexpensive and so thoughtful.  Have fun sewing!

Everyday Donna

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.  ~Russel Baker