Use mismatched socks and foam to make this fun kid's wall hanging—great for the little one in your life.
Finished size: 10" x 12"
Skill: 1 Time: 1 Cost: 1
You will need:
• Craft foam*: 4 7/8" x 3 ½" egg
two 1-1/2" balls
2" ball
4" ball
1-3/16" x 9-7/8" x 11-7/8" block
• Six mismatched colorful children's socks (1 solid color for head)
• 18" x 18" print fabric* (Fat quarter)
• Five 18" wire pieces*: pink, purple, white, teal, orange
• Embroidery floss (1 yard each): orange, black, green
• Buttons: 1" green, orange, purple, pink
1 1/4" blue
3/4" pink buttons
• 1 ½ Knot ribbon ends Glue ribbon across back at either side. felt flowers*: yellow, orange
• 12" of 1/4" white ribbon
• Long sculpture needle
• 1 round toothpick
• 8" length of 1/8" dowel
• Fabric glue
Knife, pencil, ruler, scissors, straight pins
*The following products were used for this project: • Styrofoam craft foam • Beacon Fabri-tac glue • Birch Fabrics fat quarter • Darice felt.
Note: See end of article for product information.
Step 1: Prepare foam. For head, cut the 4" ball in half. Set one half aside. For body, cut egg in half lengthwise. Set one half aside. Cut 1/2" off narrow end of one egg half. For feet, cut 2" ball in half. For hands, flatten curved side on both 1 1/2" balls slightly.
Step 2: Make head. Stretch a green sock over curve of head. Leave 1" extending beyond back of head and cut off excess. Stretch raw edges of sock and glue flat to back of head.
Step 3: Make face. For mouth, thread needle with orange floss and knot one end. Insert needle from back of head and make a 3" straight stitch for mouth. Indent corners of mouth slightly with thumbs. For the tongue, cut a petal off orange flower. Glue to bottom line of mouth. For eyes, make several stitches through openings of a pink and an orange button with black floss. Tie floss in a knot on back of buttons. Clip ends. Glue buttons to face.
Step 4: Make body. To join head and body, insert a toothpick between the bottom of the head and narrow end of egg body. Press pieces firmly together. Stretch a patterned sock over body so cuff is 2" up on head for turtle neck. Leave 1" of sock beyond body and cut off excess. Stretch raw edges of sock and glue flat to back of body. Glue yellow flower to front of body.
Step 5: Make arms. On two patterned socks, measure 6" down from cuff and make a mark with pen. Cut off at mark. Fold sock pieces in half lengthwise. Glue together. Open one side at raw end and insert hand ball into opening, leaving 1/2" overhang. With needle and thread, make gathering stitches close to raw edge. Pull up gathers, tucking in raw edges. Knot and clip thread. Repeat for second arm. Glue cuff end of arms to back of body, angling them slightly.
Step 6: Make legs. On two patterned socks, measure 6" down from toe and make a mark with pen. Cut off at mark. For feet, insert half balls into toes of socks. Tie floss tightly around socks above each ball. Knot and clip floss. Fold over raw ends of sock legs and glue down. Make several stitches with floss through openings of two buttons: green floss for pink and orange floss for purple. Tie floss in a knot on back of buttons. Clip ends. Glue a button on front of each foot. Glue end of legs to back of body.
Step 7: Make hair. Cut each wire piece into two 7" and one 4" piece. Wrap each wire piece around dowel in a spiral. Glue or sew hair curls close together to top of head, alternating colors.
Step 8: Cover foam block. Place fabric piece right side down on flat surface. Center foam block on fabric. Bring fabric up over foam on all four sides, making square corners. Glue in place.
Step 9: Finish. For hanger, knot ends of 12" ribbon. Insert a pin into each knot. Apply glue to knots and insert pins into top back of foam block, one end on each side. Knot floss through remaining buttons. See photo to arrange and glue doll to front of fabric block. Make several stitches with floss through openings of three buttons: green floss for purple and black floss for green and orange. Tie floss in a knot on back of buttons. Clip ends. Glue buttons to top of fabric block.
Sources:
Styrofoam
www.craft.dow.com
Beacon
www.beaconadhesives.com
Darice
www.darice.com
Twisteez Wire
www.twisteezwire.com
Birch Fabrics
www.birchfabrics.com
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