Sewing Tips:
Now that you've got all these pieces of sock, it's time to sew.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Thread length: You don't want to take too much thread from the spool because it has a tendancy to knot while you're trying to sew up the monster. Naturally, the amount of thread you need depends on the part of the monster you're working on. When in doubt, use less than you think you'll need. That way, you don't waste as much thread. You can always re-thread your needle.
- Threading your needle: I find it's easier to "double up" on the thread because it makes the stitches stronger and makes tying off the stitch easier. (I know it sounds confusing now, but when we start sewing, you'll catch my drift.) So, cut about 16 inches of thread from the spool (we're starting with the ears.) Pass the thread through the eye of the needle and keep pulling until you've lined up what you've threaded with the remainder of the thread you cut. Take the two end-pieces and tie them together into a knot (like you tie a balloon.) Repeat this process each time you need to thread the needle.
- Sewing: When you first pass your needle through the sock, pull it through until the knot at the end of your thread reaches the sock. Don't pull too hard or you'll pull the thread-knot right through the sock. Also, the stitches in your sock don't need to be painfully close together (as you'll soon see), but keep in mind the longer you make your stitches, the:
- 1. more stuffing will poke out of your monster
- 2. more warped your monster will be, and
- 3. less durable your monster will be.
- Finally, as a rule of thumb, anytime you're sewing, you'll get better results if you're monster is flipped inside-out. It makes the stitching look a lot cleaner and you don't have to worry about seeing messy knots.