How to Make a Vintage Sock Monkey
Sock monkeys are a traditional toy made from a single pair of socks. Though a number of sock monkeys have been made in recent years from socks of different colors and wearing different costumes, vintage sock monkeys are made from a red, brown and white sock. The main body of the sock is brown; the cuff, toe and outer area of the heel are all white and the center of the heel is bright red. These monkeys are a simple DIY project for even a novice sewer, and are a great starting projects for kids interested in learning to sew by hand or machine.
Things You'll Need
- Sewing machine
- Sewing needle
- White thread
- Brown thread
- Sewing marker
- Pins
- Poly-fiber stuffing
- Quilt batting
- Eyes
Instructions
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1
Turn both of the socks inside out. Working from the wrong side of the sock will prevent picks in the knit that would make the finished product less attractive or valuable.
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2
Flatten the sock so that the heel is centered in the sock's width. The heal of the sock will form the sock monkey's bottom.
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3
Pin the edges of the sock to keep the fold from shifting while you are working. This is important because if the cloth shifts while you are stitching it, the monkey's legs can end up uneven.
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4
Draw a line down the center of the sock from the center of the heel up the leg to the opening at the top. This line marks the division between the left and right leg.
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5
Sew a line a quarter inch to the left of the ink line. Begin stitching at the sock's top cuff, and stop 3 inches above the heel.
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6
Stitch across the cuff of the sock. This will close the feet of the monkey.
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7
Cut along the ink line. Cut past the stitching to one and a half inches above the heel. This opening above the legs will be the crotch of the monkey, and the stuffing point.
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8
Turn the sock so that the seams are on the inside. The right side of the body will then be facing out.
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9
Stuff the legs, head and main body of the monkey through the hole in the crotch. The amount of stuffing added will determine how soft the body of the final animal is. For a stiffer, harder-bodied animal, add more stuffing.
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10
Fold the raw edges of the hole in and stitch the crotch of the sock monkey closed by hand. Use small, even stitches to make the seam less obvious.
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11
Fold the second sock in half so that the toe is on one side and the heel is on the other. Pin along the fold on each side so that it cannot shift.
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12
Draw a line down the center of the sock from the bend at the ankle up to the cuff. This line divides the left and right arm.
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13
Stitch a quarter-inch to the left and a quarter-inch to the right of the line in the same way that you did the legs. As you reach the cuff, sew in an arch to create a "J" shape. This will round the end of the arms to form hands.
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14
Cut across the sock, level with the top of the heel, to remove the two arms. Set the arms aside; they will be attached later in the process.
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15
Draw a line from the pointed corner of the heel down to the toe of the sock. The line should create a strip of cloth about an inch wide. This will be the tail of the monkey.
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16
Stitch a quarter of an inch inside the line to stitch the tail closed. Stitch off the edge of the sock so that the tail is completely closed at the tip.
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17
Cut along the line drawn to cut the tail away from the remainder of the sock. Set the tail aside until you are ready to connect it to the monkey's body.
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18
Cut away the entire heel from the sock. Cut a half-inch outside the white area to leave a seam allowance around the outside of the heel that will become the muzzle of the monkey.
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19
Draw two semi-circles on the brown section of the remaining portion of the sock's foot. The circle should have one flat side where the ear will attach to the monkey's head.
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20
Sew along the lines used to draw each circle. This will stitch the ear closed.
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21
Cut around the outside of the ears' stitching. Cut the bottom fold to open the ears.
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22
Turn the arms, muzzle, tail and ears so that the right side of the material is facing outward. The seams will then be facing the inside.
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23
Stuff all the pieces of the monkey. The ears need not be stuffed if you want them to be flat. A small piece of quilt batting can be used in the ears for the best shape. This makes ears that are stiff but not bulky.
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24
Fold under the raw edge of the tail and position it just above the white portion of the monkey's bottom. Hand stitch around the tail, securing it to the monkey. Add the arms, ears and muzzle in the same manner as the tail. Measure from the top of the head down the sides of the head and body to make sure that the ears and arms are even.
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25
Add eyes to the monkey. For very small children, embroider eyes with black thread, as sewed-on items present a choking hazard. For older children, sew on felt patch eyes, buttons, or googly eyes.
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