Wednesday 23 July 2008

The First and Last of the Sock Monsters

Faced with a huge pile of unmatched socks and having been inspired by all the sock creatures on the web I decided to have a go at making a sock monster. I began sifting through the pile of threadbare, bobbled, grey and generally dismal socks and decided to buy some nice new fresh ones to work with instead. (I am still left with a huge pile of unmatched socks.)

I wasn't very happy at cutting into a nice new sock. I felt very guilty that this useful item was going to be turned into a dust catcher just on a whim. I turned the sock inside out and started to cut out the shape and then realised I was supposed to sew it first and then cut around the shape afterwards. I must have read the instructions about 5 times but clearly hadn't taken the information in!

Sewing this sock fabric was horrendous. I couldn't see the stitches as they kept getting sucked into the elastic, plus there were loads of hairy fibres hence the decorative heart pattern on the right side of the sock. I am not a machinist so I did the sewing by hand. I now remember why I don't sew. I HATE SEWING!!!
Anyway, I decided to plod on with the project and managed to finish stuffing and stitching. I gave 'her' some button eyes and decided enough was enough! She doesn't have arms or a complete face. I doubt that she ever will. So that was the first and the last of the sock monsters!
Edited: When I say I HATE SEWING I mean the stitching things together and joining up kind of sewing. I love to do embroidery and cross-stitch. I just don't enjoy the mundane bits! If I could master the sewing machine I am sure I would find it no problem at all!

12 comments:

  1. oh dear, a sock monster sounds a tricky thing to make, she does have a certain cuteness though, and certainly is original. xx

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  2. she's really cute - in a mad kind of way!! ;-)

    April xx

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  3. That sock sewing does sound challenging. I think the result is quite magic though!

    Thanks for dropping into my blog - I'll be back to yours. Emma
    x

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  4. I just like to say "hi" and thanks for entering the 50th post competition and I know what you mean about hand sewing!
    Josie x

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  5. Oh you poor thing! I was quite surprised at how tricky sock monster sewing was but it does get easier - I wouldn't want to do it by hand though and I had to use the stretch stitch on my machine to make it strong enough - and stuffing them takes years! Lucy x

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  6. Great to see you back Simone, I was hoping you wouldn't be away for too long. Quite a cute monster really, she may need a friend? I am sure a second one would be easier now you know how! x

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  7. I have a bag full of odd socks. I'm an optimist though and keep thinking that their other halves will just turn up. I may have a go at making a sock monster though, yours looks very sweet, if slightly sozzled!

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  8. You've done a whole lot better than I would have!! ;-)

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  9. I love your sock monster - it's great. I've always wanted to have a go but don't like sewing through wool, the thought of it sets my teeth on edge!
    Kimx

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  10. Lovely to have you back in Blogland, and awwwww I have to say your sockie-monster is very cute indeed...shame she seemed to stress you so!!
    Lx

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  11. you make me laugh so!!!!! i love your sock monster.... i understand about the sewing too- my stuff falls apart... you can always do embroidery on your creatures :)

    ps. thank you again for your purchase and keeping your word! that was really sweet of you and i had completely forgotten about it... i hope you get it and like it all :D

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  12. Oh beware the machine bug doesn't get you. It lurked around our way and I thought I was immune but I've been well and truly bitten. Love your sock monster, original is always the best.

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