Portland Art and Soul Workshops
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Darlene Veltman
9-4:30
Wednesday

1326 - Silly Sock Creatures

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$ 110  

Come spend a fun day constructing a unique one of a kind sock creature. Watch how a simple pair of old or new socks becomes your new best friend and traveling partner. Bring more then one pair of socks for mixing and matching or trading with other students. Based on the fun ideas in John Murphy’s book “Stupid Sock Creatures” I will show you some fun short cuts for creating a wardrobe, breasts, pants, dresses and hats. I guarantee you can’t make just one of these cute creatures. We will name and give “bios” to each new creature for loads of laughs and stories. Basic sewing skills and knowledge are all that’s needed. Oh and a sense of humor!

Look at my website www.travelswithmarty.com to see my best buddy Marty and some of his many friends we have made over the last three years. If you have any questions contact me at
darlene@travelswithmarty.com

To make one sock creature “Marty” style, please bring:
-1 pair mid calf or crew length socks
-Buttons for eyes (you may want to bring a few to “audition” them on your finished creature)
-Thread – matching sock color or neutral (gray, white or black) for sewing body
-Bag of polyester stuffing (I like Mountain Mist brand)

Basic Sewing Tools required:
 Sewing machine in good working order – quick way but they can be sewn by hand…will just take longer.
 Ballpoint sewing machine needle size 80 (for stretch knits) Bring extra sewing machine needles incase you break one.
 Hand sewing needles
 Doll needles – 3-4”
 Heavy buttonhole or upholstery thread for sewing lips
 Seam ripper
 Fabric scissors and small scissors for clipping threads
 Straight pins

Additional doll tools:
--Stuffing fork regular size from Barbara Willis
--Optional: Hemostat clamps 4”-7” long

Extras for accessorizing :
--Extra socks – old or new for mixing and matching patterns and colors as well as making clothes for them.
--Beads, buttons, jewels, old knit shirts for unique print, stripes, texture or colors.
--Fabric Scraps for clothes and accessories.
--I will also have lots of knit scraps for clothes and accessories.

A little something about socks…
--Crew length or mid calf length socks are the best for this project. Knee-highs are too long and you will be stuffing for days! But are fun for clothes and accessories.
--Anklets or sport socks aren’t good because you will have no forehead.
--Look for socks with contrast heels – the heels are the lips and look the best contrasted to the rest of the body.
--Stay away from really stretchy – nylon(trouser) or microfiber socks. Also stay away from big knobby, knitted socks, they unravel as soon as you cut them. I shop at Target, Mervyns, Fred Meyer type stores that have inexpensive stripe or novelty socks.
--If you want to use an old pair - bring those too – holes can be sewn up – but wash them first!!