Cool ties in progress

I have started another group of cool ties

 for servicemen and servicewomen in Afghanistan and Iraq

 for the American Legion Auxiliary. 

I should have started sooner....

as summer is already here, but better late than never.

I start with 17 yards of 45" wide 

cotton unbleached woven Moda 200 

which I dye with Tan Rit dye to a safer sand-colored one. 

All 17 yards are ironed and ready for cutting. 

Seven cuts 5" wide from selvedge to selvedge yield 7 Hugs.

Two 6 1/2" cuts from selvedge to selvedge

 (and then cut into 14 - 6 1/2" squares) 

become 7 Kisses. 

Using scissors I round off the corners of the 160 - 6 1/2" squares.

Sew the Hugs along the long side from one end to the other. 

Then at one open end roll the seam into the middle

 and sew across it using a 1/4" seam allowance. 

Using the piece of PVC pipe and dowel, 

I turned the 80 Hugs inside out 

and then pressed over the 1/4" seam allowance at the open end 

and crimped folds 10" from the two ends. 

The crimps are where I will sew 

after the 1/2" teaspoon of Watersorb has been added.

I matched up two circles (Kisses),

 sewed them together using a 1/4" seam allowance

 but leaving a 1" opening for turning,

turned them inside out and pressed them 

while tucking in the 1/4" seam allowances.

 After adding 1/4 teaspoon of Watersorb, 

I sew across the 1" opening to sew them shut. 

They're done.

A Hug,

 a Kiss, 

instructions for soaking

and a Thank You for Your Service 

are slipped into each snack baggie. 

They are all ready for mailing.