How to Make Durable Wind Socks

Make a durable wind sock from an old pair of jeans.

Wind socks are made from many different types of fabric. Wind socks made from lightweight fabrics such as silk, cotton and linen are very colorful and very thin. The wind, along with other natural elements, breaks down the fibers in lightweight fabric, causing them to rip and tear. Heavyweight fabric such as denim, twill and canvas make strong, durable wind socks. Recycle an old pair of jeans and make a durable windsock. Minimal sewing is required and is either done with a sewing machine or by hand.

Things You'll Need

• Old jeans
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Straight pins
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• 12-gauge wire
• Wire cutters

Instructions

1. Lay an old pair of jeans on a flat working surface. Remove all wrinkles from the surface of the jeans. Cut one jean leg off just above the knee. Make a second cut across the jeans just below the crotch area. Mark the top edge of the cut denim with a straight pin. Set the cut piece aside.

2. Take the cut-off bottom leg of the jeans and lay it on a flat work surface. Measure and cut 1/2-inch strips beginning at the cut edge and ending at the bottom hem to create ten strips. Set aside.

3. Pick up the section cut from the top of the jean's leg. Turn the denim inside out. Hold the leg so a cut edge is on top. Fold 3/4-inch of the edge toward you and down on the fabric. Pin into place. Repeat the process with the opposite cut edge.

4. Locate the top edge of the denim leg. Sew a 5/8-inch seam around the edge, leaving a 1 1/2-inch opening for wire insertion. Sew a 5/8-inch seam along the bottom edge of the denim. Remove the pins.

5. Attach eight of the cut 1/2-inch strips of denim to the bottom of the windsock to form the ribbons. Evenly space the strips around the bottom edge. Pin 1-inch of the denim strips on top of the 5/8-inch seam. Sew a second seam around the bottom edge at 1/2-inch. The stitching will show on the outside as a double line of stitching. Remove the pins.

6. Take the spool of 12-gauge wire and unwrap 12 inches. Put the end of the wire through the opening on the top seam. Thread the wire around the entire seam until 2 inches of the wire comes back through the opening. Cut the wire from the spool, leaving 2 inches. Twist the two ends together close to the seam. Fold the ends over and insert them into the seam. Optional: Sew the opening closed either with a sewing machine or by hand.

7. Attach the two remaining 1/2-inch strips of denim to the top of the wind sock for the handle. Place the end of one strip over the folded seam 3/4-inch. Pin into place. Place the end of the second strip directly across from the first and pin into place. Sew the two strips into place using a 1/4-inch and a 1/2-inch seam. Tie the two strips together to make a knot at the center top of the wind sock.

References

• Love to Sew: How to Make a Fabric Hanging Windsock

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish