Sock monkeys!

tootiefrooties

Angie100 wrote: »

Hi - I am looking to sell a few sock monkeys to people I know and was wondering if anyone has thought of a fair price to charge. Whilst I know the socks are not expensive items, it is time consuming doing the handstitching , stuffing and everything else. your help would be appreciated....:D

Thanks

Angie

Hiya

I think it depends how they are presented - for an normal sock monkey, I would say about £5, but if it's a bit special (with accessories/clothes or special material) and in cello with a bow or tag, then between £7.50 and £10. For big ones made with knee length socks, I reckon £10-£12 and for baby ones about £4 - 5.

(this is what i think is reasonable, but i do know people with more money than sense and they might well pay £20 for that sort of thing)

HTH

Angie100

piefacerecords wrote: »

Hiya

I think it depends how they are presented - for an normal sock monkey, I would say about £5, but if it's a bit special (with accessories/clothes or special material) and in cello with a bow or tag, then between £7.50 and £10. For big ones made with knee length socks, I reckon £10-£12 and for baby ones about £4 - 5.

(this is what i think is reasonable, but i do know people with more money than sense and they might well pay £20 for that sort of thing)

HTH

Thanks for your reply - i think I'd definately have to charge more than £5 as the time it takes to sew it all by hand would have to be taken into account. But I think like you say if they are put in cello with ribbons then people would pay more so that would be good-great idea, thanx! I use the hollow fibre stuffing also so they are washable and safe.

Anyway that's given me a start with the calculations - thanks for your help.

Angiex

tootiefrooties

Angie100 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply - i think I'd definately have to charge more than £5 as the time it takes to sew it all by hand would have to be taken into account. But I think like you say if they are put in cello with ribbons then people would pay more so that would be good-great idea, thanx! I use the hollow fibre stuffing also so they are washable and safe.

Anyway that's given me a start with the calculations - thanks for your help.

Angiex

Sewing by hand, my goodness you're patient! It takes me half a day to do a sock monkey from start to finish using a sewing machine, just because I find it so fiddly attaching all the limbs by hand.

Maybe you could invest in a cheap sewing machine to cut the time down a bit? I got one from tesco for £25 the other week and it's brilliant.

If you want to sell them for about £15 then I reckon you would have plenty of takers as long as they looked the business - funky colours and packaging and all that.

good luck with it and let us know how you get on!

Angie100

Hi - yeah i may look to see if I can see a simple sewing machine. I have always handstitched and my stitches are very small!!! we have sewing machines in the house put away as nowhere to keep them out but they are very compliated!!!!

I think £15 is maybe alittle much but maybe nearer to £10 and I think I will use your cello idea also. I have the tutu hair bands for the girl ones and the heart charms and knitted scarves for the boys but wish I could make little outfits!! As all the monkeys are different sizes depending on the socks one size clothese may not fit all!!!!

Is your sewing machine fairly compact??? I think I would need a fairly small one, just to do basic craft stuff - doesn't need to be all sing and dancing!! £25 sounds like a bargain!!

Will let you know if I sell any and the details etc!!

Cheers pieface!
Angiex

tootiefrooties

Yeah, it's pretty compact, but in a good way - not fiddly or anything. The link is here, although out of stock online - http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.204-2104.aspx but they may well have it in stores, still.

If you're experienced at hand stitching and only have to attach the limbs, then using a sewing machine will probably cut in half the time it takes you to do a monkey.

You could always make a selection of little hats, necklaces, ties, tutus and waistcoats (if you had lots of time and enthusiasm!) for a one-size fits all, pic n mix type thing if you want to dress them up a bit.

Haven't done too much accessorizing on any of mine yet cos they've been for kiddies - but DH wants one for Xmas so I'm hoping to really kit it out!

Shelley3774

Angie I bought a little sewing machine in Home Bargains for £9.99 that is just right for sock monkeys. I wouldn't recommend it for any other sewing but for a novice like me its fine. Even using that though it takes me about 4 - 5 hrs so I think you would have to charge £10 to make it feasible.
Keep up the good work though they are lovely:T

Angie100

Shelley3774 wrote: »

Angie I bought a little sewing machine in Home Bargains for £9.99 that is just right for sock monkeys. I wouldn't recommend it for any other sewing but for a novice like me its fine. Even using that though it takes me about 4 - 5 hrs so I think you would have to charge £10 to make it feasible.
Keep up the good work though they are lovely:T

Thanks Shelley - unfortunately we don't have a Home Bargains shop in Bristol, sounds like a really good shop....I looked in Tesco yesterday but they don't have any cheap ones in stock now!!!! Will keep looking though. Until then it's handstitching!!!

I may start another monkey tonight. I've have a few monkey free days!!!

How have you been Shelley??

Angiexx

Shelley3774

Hi Angie - thats a shame about Home Bargains you would love it there. I'm sure they sell them in woolies or on ebay.
I'm suffering a bit today Ang, went on a hen party in Cardiff yesterday, spent the day at a Spa and then hit the big city in the night. Drunk and ate loads !!! But on leaving nightclub I had a really embarrassing dramatic tumble and have really hurt my shoulder. No nappy cake making or sock monkeying for a while !!!!!
That will teach me eh???:p
You ok?

Angie100

Shelley3774 wrote: »

Hi Angie - thats a shame about Home Bargains you would love it there. I'm sure they sell them in woolies or on ebay.
I'm suffering a bit today Ang, went on a hen party in Cardiff yesterday, spent the day at a Spa and then hit the big city in the night. Drunk and ate loads !!! But on leaving nightclub I had a really embarrassing dramatic tumble and have really hurt my shoulder. No nappy cake making or sock monkeying for a while !!!!!
That will teach me eh???:p
You ok?

Oh dear Shelley, sounds painful. You better take it easy for a few days!!!! I'm fine thanx. Have given my sister her monkey - sat it on top of a basket of goodies and wrapped it in cello. Have to say it looked really nice and everyone commented on it!!! Sister was very please! I just used the curling ribbon and I bought a stick on bow (4 for a £1 - local pound shop).

I was checking out sewing machines online. Pieface on here bought a nice one in Tesco for £25 reduced from around £50 but it's out of stock at the moment, have asked them to email me if it comes back in stock. Tesco Direct have £5 off £20 at the moment if you pick up their new catalogue and get it scanned so would be nice to get it for £20!!!!

I bought a little gadget for turning awkward tube shapes in the right way after sewing. It's called a loop turner. Will let you know how I get on!!!

Hope you feel better soon Shelley.

Angiexx

Shelley3774

Thanks Angie I hope you manage to get one of those sewing machines they sound a bargain!! I'm glad everyone liked your sock monkey - I knew they would it was lovely.
Hey your new gadget sounds great let me know how it works:T