Sock Hat Tutorial

I make hats like the one in this tutorial for most of my 1/6 dolls, so I thought it may be useful for people. These hats will work for action figures just as well as they do for dolls.
It's pretty easy to make, does not require much of sewing knowledge, and produces quite a funky result.


Tools: scissors, thread and sewing needle.
Materials: Sock.

Step 1 - buy a sock. Possibly, even buy two, because usually they have a "buy 1 sock, get the second one free" dealios at most stores.
Seriously, though, the sock that I'm using came from a dollar store, where they have a 3 pairs of baby socks (or young children socks) for $1. Good deals.
The reason I'm using a bebbeh sock is because they have just the right circumference for an average doll head.

Step 2 - lay your sock flat and cut off the top as shown. The cut off part should be longer on the end that will be the top of hat and shorter in the back of the hat.




Step 3 - Turn your future hat inside out.
[B]All the operations except the last step will be done with the inside facing out.[/B]
With needle, making small stitches, sew around the cut off part, about 1/8 of an inch from the edge. Don't forget to make a knot on the end of the thread so it stays put.



Step 4 - When you sewed all around the top, pull the thread tight (remember, you have a knot on the other end of the thread that will prevent the thread from pulling out.)
Wrap the thread tight several times around the top of the hat, along the stitch line.


Step 5 - [B]While holding the thread tight with your finger[/B] (as shown), push the needle through gathered part and pull tight (letting go of the thread). This is to give your knot more stability and prevent the hat from coming undone. Do it several times, each time shifting the "point of entry", so that the needle goes in from different directions.


Step 6 - After you've satisfied yourself with all the needle sticking business (or when you're almost out of thread), make a small stitch on or right below the stitch/wrap line but don't pull the needle through right away. Wrap the thread around the needle a couple (not more) times around the needle, and then pull the needle all the way through and tighten the stitch.

If you kept the pressure on, your hat will have a nice tight gathered knot at the top.


Step 7 - Almost done now!
Turn your lovely hat the right side out. It should look something like the picture below. If you have a gap at the top, you didn't keep the pressure on the thread like I told you to, so go back and redo it!

However, I think you'll be just fine and so, with the last effort, pick a fold in the top part of your hat that will be at the back of your figure's head when worn. Then pick a spot in the lower part, possibly where elastic is. Now, push the needle from the inside and sew these two spots together (remember the knot on the end of the thread when you start and finish it the way I showed in step 6).
This is done to fake gravity effects, because the real hat would be most likely heavy enough and fold down naturally. Socks (especially those bought at dollar stores) have a tendency to stick proudly up in the air, which would make your doll/figure look very silly.


Step 8 - Put the hat on your doll.

Voila!*



If you have any questions, fire away.


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* I think there's a requirement that at the end of each guide one is supposed to say, "Voila!" so there you have it.



Hope this is useful!

Deep Thoughts from an 11-year-old Mind

Yesterday we had breakfast to celebrate a family occasion. It was me, my son, 2 of my friends (L and C), and a boyfriend of one of the friends (BF).

Now, my son is a complete attention junkie (comes from being about the only child in my circle of friends for the longest time, since most of my friends are either younger, childless, or both), so he was on the roll. BF asked if he liked any girls currently. My son squirmed, then admitted, bashfully, that yes, there was a girl named Abby. When probed for details, this is what he had to say:

My son: Weeeell, in second grade we were friends, then, in third grade, we hated each other...
BF, interrupting politely: So, it was a love/hate relationship?
My son, after thinking about it: No, we just hated each other.
BF: Oh, so just a hate/hate relationship. Just making sure...
My son: Right. Um. So, theeen, in fifth grade, I started thinking, why did she change? And then I realized that it wasn't her who changed, it was actually me who changed!

-Stunned silence from the audience. I feel kinda proud of the deep insightful dude who is my son, but am suspicious, 'cause I know him too well. C looks like she's trying REALLY hard not to give BF Tha Look. BF recovers from the speachlessness;

BF: So, what did you think you changed in?
My son: Weeeell, when we were in third grade, we were talking one time, and I - TOTALLY ACCIDENTALLY! - hit her on the head with a stick.

-audience dies-

BF: I understand it's a pretty common affliction among boys of that age. It's a hand twitch or something, but I understand that it happens a lot.

-curtain-

Elfinitales Story Update

Part 2, It Is Posted
Originally uploaded by elfinity

There is an update on Elfinitales.com It is the second half of the Old Friends story arc.
Hope you enjoy it! Please leave some comments, they are ever so appreciated (no registration required).

For those who missed the beginning, here is the link for the first half.

"Stop Kissing Your Toothbrush" or Things Only a Parent Would Say

I've never thought I'd say things like "If you don't stop this attitude right now, we are SO not going to hunt the crocodiles!" or "If you fall off and kill yourself, don't come crying to me," until I became a parent.

But of course.

Actually, I wouldn' t have to say most of the bizarro things I have said if my son did not do most of the bizarre things he's done. That thing about kissing his toothbrush? What else could I have said if he really was kissing it? With a full intent of marrying it afterwards. Why? Who can know...

Today, I realized that only a parent could say "Sweet dreams!" in a threatening tone of voice. Well, maybe a member of the mafia would use the same tone of voice, but probably not while putting a child to sleep.

Long weekend. My son requested help with a project (that unexpectedly was due tomorrow - don't you hate how all these projects have a tendency to be suddenly due tomorrow? ^_^ ) so I spent a lot of time standing over his shoulder giving artistic and editorial advice.
The bad news - I didn't get to work on any of my computer projects (the next installment of the comic story, the photos of really pregnant Ginny that I'm supposed to do post-production on, etc).
The good news - I finished 2 and a half sweaters for male dolls. Hopefully, I'll have the collection done before the winter is actually over! For some reason, clothes for dudes don't create the same amount of enthusiasm as do the girl clothes. What gives?

Snow Maiden

Snow Maiden
Originally uploaded by elfinity

Took Elizabeth out for a snowy photo shoot. She looks so pretty in her furry jacket and my quickie scarf!

Today was another work from home day. The snow stopped and some roads are cleared up, but there seem to be too many accidents for my comfort.

White Life

White Life
Originally uploaded by elfinity

Apparently, we're in the middle of a blizzard.
The whole world is white. I can't see beyond a couple of yards, everything is just covered by snow curtain.

I've been working from home today. Amazing how much I got done, both work-related and not. My productivity has been insane. Unlimited cookies and tea has magical productivity-boosting powers, maybe?

Well, I am finally starting this blog I've been thinking about for ages.

What to should the first post be about? It's kind of important, I guess.

I'd like this first post to be about my deep appreciation for all the people in my life, and especially all the women. I don't know how I would've gotten through all the tough spots in my life without them. My mom, my grandma, my friends, my awesome co-workers who became my friends... All of them are so wonderful for all the different reasons - sense of humor, support, compassion, encouragement, doll advice, dose of perspective or a random bowl of soup - and every one of them is such a gorgeous person!
I feel like I've been gathering gems in my life travels, where every gem is a person I still treasure knowing. Some turned out to be glass, but I've still managed to gather quite a shiny collection (oooh, SHINEY!)

So, thank you, all you wonderful women that I know!