Kooling ties can be chilled then wrapped around your neck to keep you cool on hot summer days. They're simple to make and, best of all, they won't get you wet when they melt.

Supplies
• A piece of fabric approximately 40" X 6".
• Polymer crystals. You should be able to get these at your local garden center. They hold many times their own weight in water and are normally added to potting soil so the plants don't have to be watered as often.
  
  Directions
• Fold fabric right sides together, matching the long edges. Sew or serge the long edge and one short edge, forming a tube. Turn the tube right side out.
• Sew across the tube about 10" from the closed end.
• Pour 1 1/2 tsp. of the polymer into the tube. A funnel helps.
• Sew across the tube about 10" from the open end. Then sew the open end closed by turning in about 1/2" of the edges and topstitching.
• Soak the tie in ice water for 45 minutes and its ready to use.

This is yet another wonderful tip gleaned from the Quiltropolis SewingList.