Hi, my name is Caleb and I am ten years old and learned how to hand sew this summer. My moms friend said she had a great idea for me and I quickly got hooked on sock monsters. I have made 10 in last couple months and really enjoy creating them, naming them and now giving them away as gifts. All you need is a sock, stuffing and buttons. A little creativity helps as well. I hope you enjoy making these as much as I have.
a knee high sock
stuffing
buttons
good scissors
needle and thread or sewing machine
craft glue or hot glue gun
left over craft / sewing materials for more detail
Lay the sock flat with the heel facing up. The toe of sock at the top and the opening of the sock on the bottom.
At the toe of the sock make one cut in the middle about one - two inches. Then cut each side of the toe to make a triangle.
Take the heel of the sock and pull it up. Then make a horizontal cut about 3/4 inch. This makes a natural lip when folded back and also where you can stuff your sock monster.
It is easiest to use a machine to sew the legs and horns. I had a friend do it for me and hand sewed some of them too. Sew the horns shut. Sew the legs shut. Using colorful thread is a good way to add detail to your monster.
Stuff monster through the mouth pushing the stuffing all the way down the legs. A pencil helps to get it in there. Fill the belly area then fill the horns last.
Using a small piece of scrap material (size should be slightly larger than mouth opening), glue it to the inside of the mouth.
Once the scrap piece is glued in you can easily fold back the lips. I like to glue them in place too.
This is my favorite step because it gives the monster character. My mom has a big collection of old buttons and I ask to use hers. Thrift stores and garage sales are great places to look for really cool buttons.
Again from scrap materials or socks, cut two squares about 3 inches long. These become your arms when sewed shut, stuffed and sewed on.
My little sister likes me to put hair on the ones I make for her. I have added eye patches to some, tails and old patches to others. Creepy tongues are cool too.
Like I said, I have made 10 so far. Now that school started I have to do homework a lot now but have plans for new one soon.