Monkey Makers
Tonight at Love, Me was my first Sock Monkey Workshop. Now there are ten new sock monkey makers in the world - hooray for spreading the sock monkey joy! I was feeling woefully under-prepared as I went flying out the door, running late. That's the trouble with trying to do three or four things at the same time. But I think everything worked out in the end.
My day was split between making sure I had everything for the workshop, getting assignments marked, discussing marking, and finishing the instructions for this evening. Oh, and I overslept. I made it through the day, only a little bit behind the eight ball. I was seen trying to rush to work carrying four bags and a chair, but I made it. I did have to call the mister and get him to do photocopies, seeing as I ran out of time and forgot my wallet.
I'm pretty sure the workshop went well. One thing I did learn is that folks should have very little socks at a sock monkey workshop. Only one monkey came close to being finished. I did promise to post some links to help answer any questions the workshop attendees may have.
- The first is one I recently posted, which is the monkey instructions via Urban Threads. My instruction sheet (which I hope to scan and post later), didn't really do a good job of explaining how to attach appendages and the mouth. I think the Urban Threads' instructions do a decent job of that. Especially the mouth. That's a tricky bit.
- Next, is how to sew things on so that you don't see the stitches. The natural inclination is to do a whip stitch or the like around the mouth or arms. It's what I did for ages. But what really works is using a mattress stitch. But wait! Isn't mattress stitch for knitting? Well, yes. Technically it is. But look at the tutorial and then look closely at your socks. Your socks are mostly likely a knit - just a very very fine machine knit. This method is way more time consuming, but combined with a thread colour that matches your socks, you end up with almost undetectable stitches attaching your monkey bits to the monkey body
- Finally, there is the subject of embroidery and your monkey's face. Embroidering a mouth and "nose" on a monkey can seem daunting if you've never tried to embroider. Well, pick up your floss, your needle and some scrap fabric, because you are going to learn embroidery with Crafty Daisies. Seriously. That's how I taught myself.
I first saw that dress years ago and it is so awesome that I am always impressed by it. I don't know what would possess the making of such a dress or any practical use for it. but I do love it.
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Thursday, November 13, 2008
filed under: how to, monkeys, sock monkeys
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Congrats on your first monkey workshop!! How brave you are.