Creating Sock Garters: A Step-By-Step Guide To Making Them

Sock garters are worn under trousers to hold up socks, or as a stylish accessory to draw attention to the legs. They are easy to make and require only a few materials, such as elastic, a needle and thread, and scissors. This guide will take you through the simple steps to create your own sock garters, including measuring, cutting, and sewing the elastic, as well as adding hooks or clips to hold your socks in place.

How to Make Sock Garters

Measure elastic ribbon and cut to size

To make sock garters, you will need elastic ribbon, scissors, and basic sewing supplies. The first step is to measure the elastic ribbon against your leg and cut it to size.

For this step, wrap the elastic ribbon around your leg just above the widest part of your calf. The ribbon should be snug but not too tight, as you want it to be able to stretch to stay up. Cut the ribbon about one inch longer than the measurement of your leg. This extra inch will be used to stitch the ribbon together and attach any decorative elements, such as a bow.

If you prefer a more secure garter, you can cut the elastic ribbon to be a full inch shorter than your leg measurement. This will make the garter tighter and less likely to slip. However, be careful not to cut the elastic too short, as you still need to be able to slide the garter on and off comfortably.

Once you have measured and cut the elastic ribbon, you will need to zig-zag the ends to prevent raveling. This will give the ends a finished look and ensure that the elastic does not fray or unravel over time. After zig-zagging the ends, you can move on to the next step of stitching the ribbon to form a loop.

Sewing techniques

To make sock garters, you will need some basic sewing skills and supplies. These include scissors, elastic ribbon, a needle and thread, and a bow (optional). You may also want to use a sewing machine if you have one.

First, measure the elastic ribbon against your leg, adding about half an inch to the measurement. Cut two pieces of elastic to this length. To prevent raveling, use a zig-zag stitch on the ends of the elastic.

Next, fold down about half an inch on one side of the elastic and stitch across using a straight stitch. You can do this by hand or with a sewing machine. If you are hand-sewing, use a running stitch.

If you would like to add a bow, sew it onto the closing stitch. This is an optional step, but it can add a cute, decorative touch to your sock garter.

To complete the garter, slide a lingerie hook onto the other end of the elastic. Fold down half an inch of the elastic to hold the hook in place, then sew across the elastic close to the hook. Make a second garter in the same way, and fasten them around your legs by sliding the hook into the loop at the other end.

If you are making garters for shorter socks, you will need to add garter clasps. Cut four pieces of elastic, each 4.5 inches long. Follow the same process as above, adding the garter clasps in the same way as the lingerie hooks.

Preventing ravel with zig-zagging

To make sock garters, you will need basic sewing supplies, including scissors, elastic ribbon, a needle and thread, and bows. The first step is to measure the elastic ribbon against your leg and cut it to size, adding about half an inch to the measurement.

Now, we will focus on the step of zig-zagging the ends of the elastic to prevent raveling. This technique is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the garters and ensuring they do not unravel with use.

To begin zig-zagging, fold about half an inch of the elastic ribbon on one side. Using a needle and thread, stitch across this folded portion about a quarter of an inch from the fold. You can use a simple straight or running stitch for this. This step will create a loop at one end of the elastic. Repeat this process for the other end of the elastic ribbon.

The zig-zag stitch is a fundamental sewing technique that can be executed by hand or with a sewing machine. It is valued for its simplicity and versatility, accommodating various purposes, including seam finishing, decorative touches, and sewing stretch fabrics.

If you are using a sewing machine, adjust the stitch selector to the zig-zag stitch setting, which is usually indicated by a zig-zag pattern icon. Play around with the width and length settings to determine the desired size of your zig-zag stitch. A medium-width and medium-length zig-zag is a good starting point, producing a stitch that is still relatively open.

For hand-sewing a zig-zag stitch, follow these steps:

• Poke the needle through the fabric from the back to the front at the starting point of your stitch line.
• Pull the needle and thread through completely.
• Cross the thread over the front of the fabric and insert the needle directly above your starting point to create a vertical stitch.
• Pull the thread through to the back of the fabric, creating a flat vertical stitch.
• Insert the needle through the fabric at the starting point again, pulling the thread through from back to front.
• Move the stitch diagonally by inserting the needle at a point horizontally aligned with the previous stitch but to the left.
• Pull the thread through to the back of the fabric to create a diagonal stitch.
• Bring the needle back to the front of the fabric at a point vertically beneath the previous stitch and to the horizontal left of the starting point.
• Pull the thread through to create a vertical stitch, completing a single zig-zag stitch.
• Repeat these steps to create a row of zig-zag stitches, maintaining the same width and length for each stitch.

By zig-zagging the ends of the elastic ribbon, you reinforce the garters and prevent them from unraveling. This technique adds durability to your handmade sock garters, ensuring they securely hold up your socks.

Using hooks and loops

Sock garters are used to hold up socks and can be made with hooks and loops.

To make sock garters using hooks and loops, you will need the following materials:

• Tape measure
• Elastic ribbon (or plain elastic)
• Fabric scissors
• Lingerie hooks (or garter clips)
• Sewing needle and thread
• Fray Check or clear nail polish (optional)
• Bows (optional)

First, measure the circumference of your leg at the point where you want to wear the garter. For men, this is usually above the wide part of the calf, while women typically wear them higher up the leg. Add about 0.5-1 inch to this measurement and cut the elastic ribbon to size. If using plain elastic, you will need to cut two pieces of equal length.

Next, create a loop with the elastic ribbon and stitch it closed using a running or straight stitch. If using plain elastic, fold down and stitch each end of the elastic to prevent fraying, then attach a lingerie hook to one end and create a loop at the other.

If desired, sew a bow over the closing stitch of the ribbon to add a decorative touch.

Finally, slide the garter onto your leg and adjust the loop to fit comfortably. The garter should hold your socks up by tightening the elastic. For shorter socks, you may need to attach garter clasps to the garters.

Creating a secure garter

The extra inch is important as it ensures that your garter will fit snugly without being too tight. You can always adjust this measurement later if you find that your garter is too loose or too tight.

Once you have your elastic cut to size, it's important to prevent the ends from fraying. To do this, use a zig-zag stitch or a similar method to seal the ends of the elastic. Then, fold down half an inch on one side of the elastic and stitch it in place a quarter-inch from the fold. This will create a neat finish and a secure loop for your hook or clasp.

Now you can attach your chosen fastening. Slide a lingerie hook or a garter clasp onto the other end of the elastic. Fold down half an inch of elastic to hold the hook or clasp in place and sew securely across the elastic close to the fastening. Make your second garter in the same way.

To wear your garters, simply fasten them around your legs by sliding the hook into the loop at the other end of the garter. For shorter socks, you can attach garters clasps to hold them in place. Position one clasp on each side of your leg and attach them to the top of your socks.

Frequently asked questions