Sock monkeys!

sethsgran

http://www.fluff.tv/Cowboy1.jpg

http://www.fluff.tv/Drunkfrenchmonkey.jpg he's drunk but you get the idea I'm sure

http://www.google.co.uk/search?um=1&hl=en&rlz=1T4ADRA_enGB373GB373&tbm=isch&q=french+mime+artist+costume&revid=631339728&sa=X&ei=4FTiTeXCNIKDhQfux-XuBw&ved=0CDgQ1QIoAQ&biw=1345&bih=552 How about doing a french mime artist sock monkey

dogcat_2

My daughter is getting married soon, and Im going to make 'bride and groom' with all the trimmings...but not sock monkeys....'sock people'. When I've finished I'll post a pic.;)

pennib

Wot no pictures anybody!!

dogcat; did you make your bride and groom?

pennib

I havn't made any monkey's recently so here's a photo from a while ago


Two tiny tots:)

pinkpig08

Hello

I would love to start making these I think they are fab! (plus I need something to do when pregnancy insomnia and restless legs keep me up at this hour!)

Do you all use a sewing machine or do you make them by hand? I would love a machine but can't afford one at the moment. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a decent second hand one. I looked at the link a couple of pages ago for sock bunnies - they look quite simple to do by hand.

It may sound like a daft question but what sort of thread do you use? I'm a complete novice - but now I'm not at work (I also have a 2 yr old) I would like something to do which I can enjoy. I have no materials apart from needles and cotton, so I think a trip to the craft shop in town for stuffing and accessories is needed .

Thanks for any help!

cuddles123

I userd to make all my monkeys by hand, and just used polyester thread in a colour to match the socks. I double sewed all the seams using back stitch. You could also try 'invisible' nylon thread.



Good luck, but be warned, you may get hooked!!!

LJM

they are all lovely cuddles xx

chatty123

Good to see this thread becoming active again. We must all spare time to keep it up to date .

Pennib : here are a wedding couple i made a few weeks ago. altogether this last few weeks I've had 5 pairs to make. take alot more sewing but def worth it

click on pic

pennib

Chatty; I havn't had time to do any monkeys lately, other things taking over! Sold quite a few in the craft shop tho.

The couples outfits are great. Did you make up their clothing as you went along or do you have a pattern? Were they pride of place at the wedding table?

Pinkpig; Nice to get someone else interested (hooked) into sewing! You can just use ordinary cotton thread to sew them up. Have you tried seeing if there is a machine on freecycle or Gumtree? Might be worth a shot.
Also you can use a Tesco/asda cheapy pillow for stuffing as it has the UK regs. and it's loads cheaper than buying toy stuffing.

pinkpig08

Well I made my first sock monkey today It's ok but not perfect. It took me about 4 and a half hours. My little girl was so good whilst I was making it and hardly bothered me. I used ordinary cotton to sew it up but used it doubled up. I found sewing the knots for the nose a bit tricky, and I don't think I got the mouth quite right, but I'm pleased with it for my first attempt. My son (8) wants one now!

This evening I started making a sock bunny. I just need to sew the eyes on, and stitch a nose and mouth. I need a large eyed needle for the embroidery thread but a sharp one. The one I have is thick and quite blunt and doesn't go through the felt on the face.

I think it would be quicker with a machine for sewing up the legs, arms etc. There aren't any within a reasonable distance or price range on gumtree. Nothing on freecycle but I'm watching a couple on ebay. There is a John Lewis 8 stitch machine nearby with a starting price of £20 - I thought this may be ok just for what I'm doing at the moment. But ideally I want a larger but still fairly basic machiine for a beginner.