Crafting Fluffy Socks: Secrets To A Perfect Pair

There's nothing like a pair of warm, fluffy socks to snuggle up with on a cold day. If you're looking to make your own, this tutorial will guide you through the process, even if you're a beginner at sewing. You'll need about 0.5m of fabric – something soft like coral fleece is a good choice. You'll also need a sewing machine and thread. The process starts with drafting a pattern for your socks, which involves tracing around your foot and making some measurements. Then, you'll cut out the fabric pieces and sew them together, creating a comfy sock that's perfect for lounging around the house.

Choosing the right fabric

When choosing the right fabric for your fluffy socks, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, you want to select a fabric that is soft, comfortable, and feels nice on your feet. Fabric such as coral fleece is a great option as it is known for its cosy texture. It is also important to consider the length of the fabric hair. Longer fabric hair can give your socks a fluffier appearance, so keep an eye out for that when making your selection.

Another factor to consider is the amount of fabric you will need. For a pair of fluffy socks, approximately 0.5 meters of fabric should suffice. This will ensure you have enough material to work with when cutting out the pattern and sewing the socks together. Keep in mind that you may need slightly more fabric if you are making larger socks or if you want to be more precise with your pattern drafting.

It is also important to pre-wash your fabric before starting the sock-making process. This is especially important if you are using a fabric like coral fleece, as it tends to shed a lot when cut. By washing and drying the fabric first, you can minimise shedding and make the sewing process easier. Alternatively, you can wash and dry the finished socks, but this may complicate the sewing process due to the loose fur.

When choosing your fabric, consider the colour and pattern as well. Select a colour that appeals to you and that you will enjoy wearing. You can also get creative and use a blanket that you no longer want instead of fabric. This is a great way to upcycle an old blanket and give it a new purpose.

Lastly, if you are a sewing beginner, don't worry too much about choosing the perfect fabric. As long as it is soft and comfortable, you can create cosy and fluffy socks that are perfect for lounging around the house. So, have fun with the fabric selection process and get ready to craft your own pair of fluffy socks!

Drafting and cutting the pattern

If you're using a fabric that sheds, like coral fleece, it's a good idea to wash and dry it first. This will prevent shedding when you cut it.

You can draft the pattern for just one foot and then cut the pattern for the other in a mirroring way. If you want a pattern for each foot, follow these steps for each foot:

Place half of your foot on a sheet of paper and draw a curve at least 8 cm/3.1 in around it. You'll be taping pieces of the pattern together and adjusting them later. Then, move your foot down so that only your toes and a little bit of your foot are on the sheet, and draw another curve. Make sure there is at least 5 cm/2 in between these two curves. This will be the instep part of the pattern.

Next, step onto another sheet of paper with your whole foot and trace about 1.5 cm/0.6 in around it. This will be the sole pattern.

Cut out both pieces.

Now, start taping the instep pattern from the centre to the sides of the front part of the sole pattern (where the toes are). Cut the sides of the instep piece straight so you can tape them to the sole piece.

You should now have something that looks like a paper slipper. Try it on. You'll notice that the inside curve of the instep piece is very far from the leg and needs to be adjusted so that the sock will fit snugly.

Take the round cutout that was left when you cut out the instep piece. It has one straight side—cut a little curve into it. Tape this piece inside the instep piece curve, facing up. You can move this new cutout up and down the instep depending on how close to the leg you want it.

When you're happy with the slipper, cut the tape connecting the two pieces.

Now, we'll be measuring and drawing rectangles for the back and front pieces of the sock. First, measure the heel part of the sole (the space between the ends of the instep piece) and add 2 cm/1 in. This will be the width of the back piece of your pattern.

Next, measure how high you want your socks to be from the sole and add 3 cm/2 in. This will be the height of the back piece of your pattern.

Now, measure the distance between the upper edge of the instep piece and the required height of the sock, and add 3 cm. This will be the height of the front piece of your pattern.

Finally, measure the upper circumference of the instep piece and add 2 cm/1 in. This will be the width of the front piece of your pattern.

Use the measurements you've just taken to draw four rectangles (width and length of the back piece for one, and width and length of the front piece for the other). Cut out all the pieces of the pattern—you should have 8 pieces in total.

Sewing the instep and back piece

Now that you have cut out all the pieces of the pattern, it’s time to sew the instep and back piece.

Use the zigzag stitch, keeping it narrow when sewing the sole piece and wider everywhere else.

Place the sole piece right-side up. Then, place the instep piece right-side down on top of the sole piece, aligning it with the toes. Sew the two pieces together, stitching 1 cm from the edge. You should now have what looks like a slipper.

Next, wrap the back piece around the heel part of the sole, ensuring that you are wrapping the width of the back piece and not the length. Pin it around the sole and the sides of the instep piece, with the right side of the back piece facing inwards. Stitch the pieces together.

Your sock should now be taking shape. From the front, you can see that the front piece is missing, and from the side, you can see the back piece wrapped around the heel.

Sewing the front piece

Now for the fun part: sewing the front piece! Place the sock so that the toes are facing you, and open up the back piece. You want to place the front piece with the rounded corners facing down and the right side facing down as well. Pin around the edges of the back piece and the upper edge of the instep. This will keep the pieces in place as you sew.

Now, turn the sock right side out and cut the upper edge to be the same height. This will ensure that the sock is even and neat. The last step is to turn the upper edge inwards by 2 cm and stitch it in place. And that's it! Your fluffy sock is now ready for you to lounge in.

If you want to add a little extra touch to your socks, you can make them non-slippery. You can buy a special liquid for this purpose and apply it to the sole of the sock. You will also need a piece of cardboard that fits inside the sock to keep it straight while you apply the liquid. Apply the liquid in dots or stripes and let it dry for two hours. Then, apply another layer and let it dry for another 12 hours.

Making the socks non-slippery

Making fluffy socks non-slippery is a straightforward process. You can use a variety of methods, each with its own pros and cons. Here is a detailed guide on how to make your fluffy socks non-slippery:

Using Liquid Non-Slip Solution:

• Place the socks with the soles facing up and flatten them. You can cut cardboard into the shape of your foot or fill the socks with plastic bags or tissue to flatten them. This step ensures the socks are stretched and ready for the application.
• Apply the liquid non-slip solution to the soles of the socks. You can use liquid natural latex or a specialised liquid solution. With Q-tips or a paintbrush, apply the liquid in dots, lines, or any pattern you prefer. Ensure you don't apply too much to avoid soaking through the socks.
• Allow each layer to dry for about an hour, and apply a total of three layers. You can use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process.
• After applying all three layers, let the socks dry for at least 24 hours before use. The longer you wait, the better, to ensure the solution sets properly.
• Finally, your non-slippery fluffy socks are ready for use! Wash them before wearing, preferably inside out, at 30 degrees Celsius. Avoid tumble drying if possible, as it may affect the non-slip solution.

Using Puffy Paint:

• Trace your feet onto cardboard and cut out the shapes. These cardboard inserts will stretch the socks to your foot shape and prevent the paint from cracking when you put them on.
• Place the cardboard inserts into your socks, ensuring the toe seam is stretched across the toes. The top of the sock should be on one side of the cardboard, and the sole on the other.
• Use puffy paint to create your desired pattern on the soles of the socks. You can make dots, lines, or draw pictures. Ensure the paint is evenly distributed and covers the sole adequately.
• Allow the paint to dry for up to 24 hours, and then remove the cardboard inserts. Puffy paint takes a long time to dry and will flatten slightly and darken when dry.
• Wait for 72 hours before washing the socks. When washing, turn them inside out and use a cold water setting. Avoid using a dryer as it can cause the puffy paint to crack and degrade.

Using Hot Glue:

• Create cardboard inserts for your socks, similar to the previous methods.
• Squeeze out lines of hot glue or make dots on the soles of the socks. Ensure the glue is thin, especially if you're using thinner socks.
• Allow the glue to dry for a few minutes, and then remove the cardboard inserts. Hot glue dries rigid, so this method is better suited for thicker socks.
• This method provides a quick solution, but keep in mind that it may not be as comfortable to walk on as the other methods.

Using Felt Soles:

• This method is ideal if you're making crochet or knit socks or slippers. Have your crochet socks or slippers ready, along with some yarn that matches or complements the colour of your socks.
• Trace your foot onto a sheet of paper to create a template. You can also use a flip flop that fits your foot perfectly.
• Cut out the template and use it to cut two identical soles from wool felt. Ensure you cut just inside the marker line to avoid the soles becoming too thick.
• Lay strips of masking tape across the soles horizontally or at a slight diagonal angle for a unique design.
• Paint the exposed felt between the tape strips with dimensional fabric paint. Apply four layers of paint, allowing each layer to dry for a few minutes before applying the next.
• Remove the tape, and then punch holes around the perimeter of each sole, about 1/8 inch (0.32 cm) from the edge and 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) apart.
• Secure the soles to the bottom of your socks with safety pins, and then sew them on using a darning needle and yarn. Sew up and down through the holes, filling all the spaces between them.
• This method is more time-consuming but will result in durable, non-slippery soles for your handmade socks or slippers.

Frequently asked questions