How to Make Cooling Bandanas
The bright summer sun makes most people want to spend time outdoors, but it can get uncomfortably hot out there. A cooling bandana is an easy and inexpensive way to beat the heat when you want to spend time out in the summer sun. Make your own cooling bandana with a few inexpensive supplies from the craft store in just a matter of minutes.
Instructions
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1
Measure and cut a 5-by-42 inch piece of your cotton fabric.
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2
Fold your fabric in half lengthwise with the right sides of the fabric facing each other.
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3
Stitch along the long open side of the folded piece of fabric 1/2 inch in from the edge.
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4
Sew one of the short ends at a 45-degree angle, starting at the folded edge and slanting down to the edge you just sewed. Trim the excess fabric on this end 1/2 inch from the seam.
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5
Turn the whole tube right side out through the open short edge.
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6
Press the fabric tube flat with your iron so the seams you just sewed are flat.
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7
Sew a straight line across the tube, 10 inches from the short edge that is sewn shut. Go back and forth with your sewing machine over this seam three or four times so there is no chance of the seam coming undone.
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8
Put 2 tsp. of silica gel crystals into the tube and shake them down toward the the line you sewed across the top of the tube.
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9
Sew another straight line across the top of the tube 10 inches in from the other short end to trap the crystals in the middle of the bandana tie. Go back and forth over this seam three to four times.
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10
Cut the open short end of the tube at a 45 degree angle, slanting down from the folded edge to the sewn edge. Fold in 1/2 inch of this raw edge so no raw edge is visible.
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Sew along the open short end 1/4 of an inch in from the folded in edge to secure the fold.
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12
Soak the bandana in cold water for a half an hour and then tie it around your neck to keep you cool. Store them in the fridge overnight to keep the cooling effect longer.
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Tips & Warnings
Silica gel crystals can be found where gardening supplies are sold and at craft stores.
