Home Sewn Socks in 2010

Last week, as I sat shivering in the cold Michigan winter, I lamented how quickly soft fuzzy socks lose their fuzz, and shape. They are made for 1 size fits all, but let's face it, they get stretched out quickly, because they are made to stretch up to a size 10 foot, which my feet are not.

I marveled at how soft and warm and cozy my scarf arm warmers were, and was struck by inspiration. Surely these dollar store scarves would work for socks, too, right?

I had some scarves left over from my Christmas projects (and, I'll admit, I'm contemplating picking up 2-3 more to have on hand for next year's crafts, in case they don't get them in again), and started to think. Of course, today was my first day kid-free (though, Nick took today off as one of his floating holiday days, so I wasn't husband free), and I decided a few minutes ago to try my hand.

My first idea was to cut the material at an angle, so there was a definite foot section, and definite leg section. I wasn't sure just where to perform the cut, though, so I opted to first sew a tube, with one end sewn shut. I'm glad I didn't cut it.

I worried that without elastic, there would be nothing to hold my new socks up, but the stretch around my legs did that just fine. I worried that it wouldn't fit, but a quick check with my actual arm warmers showed that it would indeed stretch enough to fit around my feet.

And, here I sit, warm and cozy with my 10 minute home made fuzzy socks that cost me just $1.

How did I make them? See below.

Homemade Fuzzy Socks

You'll need:
1 skinny, fuzzy scarf from Dollar Tree
Sewing Maching
Feet, to try them on

1. Cut the scarf in half. The ends of these scarves have a solid block of color, where as the in betweens of the scarf are striped. I opted to make the solid block of color my toe section. Forget measuring the scarf, as it will become shorter when it stretches as you pull it on.
2. Fold the scarf in half. Yes, this makes it appear impossibly skinny for a human, adult foot, but I assure you, this is what you want. Pin it into place, then decide where you want the seam. I choose to have my seam run along the side of my foot, not under it, and I barely notice it. 
3. Once you've decided where the seam will go, sew one end of the sock shut, rounding it off, and trimming the excess (otherwise, you get boxy toes).
4. Sew straight down the open side, pulling the fabric to stretch it slightly as you do. This gives it a bit of elasticity for stretch.
5. Trim the seam as closely as you can, along with the threads. Turn it inside out, stretch it open like you would a pair of tights, and start pulling it on. 

 

 These fit me snuggly, like no other socks ever do. They feel custom made to my feet! They are warm, and cozy, though maybe not as fuzzy as socks you buy for $3 a pair in the winter. I love them!

I wear a size 8 shoe. These fit me great, and have some extra stretch. I don't think anyone would have a problem with these fuzzy tube socks with size, because they stretch all the way around.  I did not stitch up the raw edge at all, because I didn't want it to constrict how wide the sock would open for me.

I have 1 scarf left. Maybe 2. My next plan is to make 1 scarf and some fleece into two pairs of slipper socks. It might not work for 2 pairs. We'll see!!

Linked up at:

http://thepersimmonperch.blogspot.com/2010/01/made-it-monday-label-those-keys.html

25 Ornaments - Day 2

And the countdown continues! Happy December to everyone!

(Sorry- I know this posted already, sans photos- this is a redo with photos!)

Last night, I was haunting the aisles of Dollar Tree looking for something specific that (this time) had nothing to do with crafts, when the most wonderful thing jumped out at me- shaped paperclips in silver & black!

They come in packs of 24 and feature 4 designs in 2 colors in each pack. Two of the designs have 4 each in the 2 colors, and two of the designs have 2 each in 2 of the colors. There are 2 round shapes, 1 square shape, and 1 triangle shape.

 

I immediatly knew these would be my next ornament! They would be perfect dangling down from a Christmas tree, and best of all, they would be EASY to make! I had hoped to find the S shaped curly que ornament hangers as well, but alas, my Dollar Tree was all out.

If your DT has them, snatch em up ;)

This ornament is so easy, I won't do a full step-by-step tutorial. Instead, I'll just tell you how to do it.

Simply clip the paper clips together as you want them. Yes, that's all. As I played around with these clips, I dug out my beads, and my bells, and added to them.

The beads will only go onto the round clips, where as the bells will slide around the corners on the triangle and square shapes. I liked both the beads and the bells, but I also liked these ornaments without adornment.

 

 

 

I did strands of plain silver, plain black, and a strand of mixed silver and black.

For $1, you get 24 of the clips, and can make 6 or 8 ornaments, depending on if you clip together 3 or 4 of the paper clips. I would have loved adding a bow, but none of my ribbon was narrow enough for these clips, I don't think.

So there you have it- a FRUGAL, simple craft for day 2. I bought 2 packs, so I'm planning to make up 12 of these cute little ornaments to adorn wrapped gifts this year.

These clips were found in the office supply area, near the markers, high lighters, and ink pens.

Contest!

I think next week, I am going to hold a contest for a small pack of handmade items. Would there be any interest in it? Comment if you would be interested in a contest!

A Children's Apron: ReDo

Last week, I posted my adventures with the first apron I had tried my hand at. While the apron came out cute, it was way too long for most kids. It came to my knees, or slightly past them. I finally got around to fixing it last night, and love how it turned out.

For reference, here is a BEFORE shot, taken after completing it the first time.




The problem I had, was that the design on the towel was mainly on the lower portion, leaving me with no choice but to cut it off. I did so, and then swiftly helped all of it's edges, and turned it into a pocket on the front of the apron. I love how it turned out!






At the last moment, I added a bow, after I had taken the "finished" shots, so here's a closeup of the cute little bow!



I have 3 aprons done now, and I think I'm going to make 1 more, in a boyish "workshop" style, if I can find the right gear.

The Ugly Little Green Monster Pin Cushion

Last night, I was at my sewing machine getting ready to finish up sewing another apron for Christmas, when I realized my white thread was no where to be found. Cue 15 minutes of aggravated desk cleaning/searching, and still, my white thread was simply gone. I imagine one of the cats hid it somewhere to play with.

I did, however, get my desk cleaned & organized. When we first moved to our new home, we decided that the front room would be a den, slash library, slash sewing room, slash pet room. We bought a large old desk at Goodwill, and placed it against a wall. It has 3 large drawers on the side, and one wide slim drawer in the middle.

However, I must admit, what ever crafty period I am going through now is making up for the past year. My sewing desk sat neglected, and the drawers somehow got appropriated. I found things from our 2008 taxes, to diapers (clean, but diapers none-the-less), to old school work, video games, cables, and more. I gutted the desk. If it wasn't a craft project, or supplies, it did not belong.

And yet, that brand new roll of white thread was no where.

So there I sat, with the sewing bug firmly in place, and several unfinished projects that all required.... yes, white thread. I seriously just started at my sewing machine. Meanwhile, Nick kept looking at me, all nervous like, as though I were getting ready to start hot gluing ribbons and lace onto his precious Man Cave items. Did I mention that all though the room was going to be a family area, it turned into Nick's Man Cave? His computer, tv, and video games are in there for him to enjoy.

Well, he's been a champ about sharing space, though the blinds that let in much needed natural light keep shutting mysteriously.

Where was I? Ah, yes. In deep need of a project. I started sorting through my fabric, and came across the ugliest green polyester. It feels like something from the 70's, and I know without a doubt, it is not something I would have bought with a purpose. I have no recollection of buying it at all, so I can only guess it came from a bag of material or lot of material I found at a yard sale or 2nd hand shop.

With all of the crafting I have been doing, I have really missed having a pin cushion. I have a magnetic spot on my machine that I stick the pins on. And... well... I'm almost embarrassed to show it, but a DIY sort of pin cushion that wasn't made to BE that, but somehow got made INTO that over the years.

It's a vase that at some point, I stuffed some spare batting into, probably when I was cleaning up. When we lived up north, my sewing area was the dining room table, so it was always cleaned up when I was done. After that cleanup, at some point, I started sticking pins into the batting, and using a vase of all things, as my pin cushion.

So, I cut off a length of massively ugly green material, sewed a pillow shape, stuffed it with the batting from the vase, sewed it shut, and had myself a pin cushion. And then I was bored once more.

I had an idea- sewing an ugly green monster! I had the left over bits of socks from Raegan's arm warmer, slash fingerless gloves. They are black, green, tan, and blue argyle, and.. well... kind of ugly. I cut them apart, and sewed tubes. As I was pulling the material to turn it right side out, I realized that by only pulling it halfway, I was stuffing the arms at the same time.

I made 2 arms, and 2 legs, then a section of massively ugly green material. I attached the limbs with pins, and sewed a box shaped monster, then turned it inside out, and stuffed it, before sewing the top shut. It's kind of thick material, so having 2 sections of it folded over, meant sewing through 4 pieces, which my machine did not enjoy. It left the top edge not great.

The arms were a little high up. I didn't have any felt on hand to make a face with. I tried to add a shiny green eye, but the material wasn't great, and I abandoned that idea. I did, however, stick some pins in him for a face, making him into the ugly little green monster pin cushion.

It is a cute idea, though, and I think I might make some small ones out of scraps, but sew faces out of felt on the front before sewing them shut.

Frugal Homemade Christmas Ornaments

I have yet to start making ornaments this year, but have been looking for ideas all over the place. I've found some really cool, inexpensive ideas that I can't wait to try out! Here are the links, and a description of each ornament.

Yarn Stocking Hat Ornament- This is an ornament even kids can make- in fact, my older daughter did make one in the 2nd grade! You need 2 things- yarn & either a toilet paper roll or paper towel roll. Oh, and scissors. ;)

Felt Star Ornament- This one might take a bit more patience, but I think older kids could still easily make this one, and it looks really neat. You need felt strips, glue, and scissors.

Reused Christmas Bulb Reindeer- Super cute, and super easy for even the little ones. You'll need pipe cleaners, glue, and googly eyes.

Glitter Ornaments- Easy Peasy. While more intricate patterns will require more patience and a steady hand, this is something even the little ones can make. You'll need glass ornament bulbs (clear works great, but this can be done on colored ones, too!), glue, a paint brush, and glitter.

Reindeer Puzzle Ornaments- These might work on school age kids and up, or might be a great group project. You'll need puzzle pieces (shop 2nd hand, and save money!), brown paint, paint brushes, small round red or brown pom poms, googly eyes, glue and ribbon. You can use other paint colors to add designs, as the original poster did. These would also make adorable pins by gluing a pin finding to the back, instead of a ribbon to hang it by. Small and lightweight, these would work great as a present topper.

These are all simple crafts that even people who aren't crafty can make. No sewing involved! Just some time and a little patience.

I would love to see any homemade ornaments you may have done, so feel free to share your links with us!

Fingerless Gloves for $1

For a while now, my 13 year old daughter has been saying she wants a pair of fingerless gloves. She's a bit eclectic in her tastes. She's more at home in old vintage T's (or, vintage inspired), and a pair of jeans, than anything else. She loves wrist bands, and bracelets, and what not.

Today, as I was surfing new blogs, I found one that showed how to turn a pair of socks into a pair of finger less gloves. I was definitely excited by the prospect, because I could find something really cool at Dollar Tree for the project.

Fingerless Arm warmer Gloves

What You'll Need:
1 pair of socks- at least crew length or longer. Ankle or no show won't work.
Scissors
Sewing Machine
Thread

The socks I chose were a perfect fit for Raegan with a tan, blue, black, and green argyle pattern.

1. First off, you want to cut the feet off the socks, right above the heel, so you are left with the leg portion. Set the feet aside for future project scraps.
2. Turn the sock inside out, and roll the cut end down to form a hem.
3. Using the sewing machine and the zigzag stitch, sew the hem around the sock to keep it from fraying. You can trim the extra length from the hem, as it tends to roll outward otherwise.
4. Pull the sock on your arm, with the elastic side going up your arm. Measure where you want the thumb hole, and with help, safety pin the two sides together where you want the fingers to be separated.
5. Carefully pull the socks off, and clip a small hole for your thumb.
   
6. Using the sewing machine again, stitch a straight or zig zag stitch around the thumb hole to keep it from stretching too wide. Tack the sock together where each safety pin is, to create finger holes.
   

Raegan loves her new gloves, though I think next time around, I'll cut the thumb hole further down, so I can have the gloves go further down her fingers. They are cute, though, and just her style. She already said she can't wait to show them off at school tomorrow!

Rice + Fabric = WARMTH

Several years back, my mother had surgery done at the base of her skull, where her spine meets her head. It was for a rare condition called Arnold Chiari Malformation. With the surgery comes a long, highly uncomfortable, sometimes down right painful recovery.

It was during this time that I went to a craft show with my Grandma, and stumbled upon homemade heating pads. The note said it could be used cold or hot, and had instructions on how to use it. It was inexpensive, so I picked one up, and sent it home with my Grandma, so she could give it to my mom.

Fast forward a year or two, and I found out exactly what that homemade heating pad was. It was simply rice and fabric, nothing more, nothing less.

Since then, I've made these myself as gifts, and for myself. They are really handy to have around.

Homemade Heating Pad

What You'll Need:
Flannel fabric
Uncooked, Non-instant rice (very important! Instant will NOT work!)
Thread
Sewing Machine or Needle
Ribbon*
Aroma Therapy Bath Quality Oil*

1. Take the flannel, and make a square, rectangle, or oval shape about the size of a text book, give or take a bit. You will want 2 pieces the same size.
2. Once you have cut your shape, put them together, face to face if there is a pattern. Sew it together with a zig zag stitch on 3 sides, leaving the 4th side open, then turn it right side out.
3. Fill the fabric bag half way with the rice, then fold the unstitched edge together, and sew it shut with a zig zag stitch.

I usually add a handle to one side using grosgrain ribbon (the fabric ribbon with a ridged texture to it). To do this, insert one end in between the fabric at one corner, then insert the other edge into the opposite corner, so that the ribbon is sandwiched between the fabric before it is sewn. You want the handle to be on one end on the outside once it's been turned right side out.

To add aroma therapy oils, put the rice into a rubbermaid bowl with a lid. Drop just a few drops of oil onto the rice, then seal the bowl, and shake, shake, shake! If the scent isn't too strong, you can add just a few more drops, but be careful not to overly saturate any of the rice. If it's soggy, it will cook when warmed up!

How To Use It:

• As A Heating Pad: Microwave 1-3 minutes, depending on the size. It will create a moist heat that is portable.
• As An Ice Pack: Store it in the freezer, and use when needed. Warm at room temperature before using it as a heating pad.

The rice is usually pretty cheap. The flannel can be found at JoAnn's in the remanent section for 50-75% off the retail price. This allows for a large selection of patterns & colors.

I made these one year for Christmas, and just about every year since, I get requests for more, because they are so handy to have around. One aunt tells me her pad seems to walk off on it's own after people use it!

If you are in need of a heating pad for yourself, and want one right away, without the sewing, you can fill a clean tube sock about half way, and simply knot the end. These can come in handy for when you need something right away.