We clean out our closets and turn our unwanted t-shirts into new socks. We embellished them with buttons, lace, sequins and bows. They're fun and easy to make, and if you use what you already have in your sewing kit, they won't cost you a dime. We have instructions for making four different styles.
For this style of socks, you will need two to four buttons, a needle, and thread. Use scissors to cut the sleeves just below the area of the armpit curve.
The old sleeve hem is now the top of your sock. Use a needle and thread to sew the buttons to the top of the sock. Repeat on each sock for as many buttons as you want.
It's as simple as that, you're done. Simply slide the sock over your calf, slide over the boot, and enjoy.
For this style of socks, you will need two to four buttons, a needle, and thread. Use scissors to cut the sleeves just below the area of the armpit curve. The old sleeve hem is now the top of your sock. Use a needle and thread to sew the buttons to the top of the sock. Repeat on each sock for as many buttons as you like.
It's as simple as that, you're done. Simply slide the sock over your calf, slide over the boot, and enjoy.
Cut the scrap material into four rectangles:two at 3" x 5" and two at 2" x 3".
Fold all of the scrap fabric rectangles in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew along the outer edge.
Attach a safety pin to one end, turn the fabric outward, and slide the safety pin through the tube. The stitched seam should now be inside the tube of fabric. Repeat for all rectangle scrap knit fabric tubes. Press the tubes of fabric so that the seam is in the back center.
On one of the longer tubes of fabric, fold one end to the center back. Repeat for the other side so that both ends meet in the middle and the back seam is closed. Slightly overlap the edges.
Sew a line down the center of the overlapping ends, sew by hand or use a straight stitch on a sewing machine.
To add bow ties to socks, you will need secondary scrap material to create the bows. Cut the scrap material into four rectangles:two at 3" x 5" and two at 2" x 3". Fold all of the scrap fabric rectangles in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew along the outside edge.
Attach a safety pin to one end, turn the fabric outward, and slide the safety pin through the tube. The stitched seam should now be inside the tube of fabric. Repeat for all rectangle scrap knit fabric tubes. Press the tubes of fabric so that the seam is in the back center.
On one of the longer tubes of fabric, fold one end to the center back. Repeat for the other side so that both ends meet in the middle and the back seam is closed. Slightly overlap the edges. Sew a line down the center of the overlapping ends, sew by hand or use a straight stitch on a sewing machine.
To add bow ties to socks, you will need secondary scrap material to create the bows. On the t-shirt, use scissors to cut the sleeves just below the area of the underarm curve. Repeat for both sleeves.
Take one of the shorter fabric tubes and lay it perpendicular over the center of the overlapping fabric tube, covering the line you just sewn. The back seam should face down.
Fold over the top edge and hold it in place at the back. Fold over the bottom edge so it covers the top edge that's already in place, and come up over the top of the arch. Make sure the fold is nice and tight.
Pinch the bow to glue around the edges of the center of the bow. Fold the raw edge of the bow strap to the inside of the top of the boot cover (the hem of the old arm sleeve). Pin in place.
Sew around the middle of the bow and the top edge (where you placed it) with a long, straight stitch to secure it in place. Repeat for other fabric tubes and boot sock.
Use scissors to cut the sleeves just below the area of the armpit curve. Repeat for both sleeves.
Take one of the shorter fabric tubes and lay it perpendicular over the center of the overlapping fabric tube, covering the line you just sewn. The back seam should face down. Fold over the top edge and hold it in place at the back. Fold over the bottom edge so it covers the top edge that's already in place, and come up over the top of the arch. Make sure the fold is nice and tight.
Pinch the bow to glue around the edges of the center of the bow. Fold the raw edge of the bow strap to the inside of the top of the boot cover (the hem of the old arm sleeve). Pin in place. Sew around the middle of the bow and the top edge (where you placed it) with a long, straight stitch to secure it in place. Repeat for other fabric tubes and boot sock.
You will need a stretch cut for this style. Lace, sequins, and ribbon are all notions that can be found with stretch in them. To see if your notion stretches, just pull left and right; If it stretches like elastic, then it's an elastic cut. Use scissors to cut the sleeves just below the area of the armpit curve. Repeat for both sleeves.
Measure around your upper calf. Subtract one inch from that measurement. You want the sock to stay up when it's around your leg, but not be too snug where it's uncomfortable. Cut the stretch cut to size based on your previous measurement. Cut two strips, one for each sock.
Pin the edge of the rib trim to the back seam of the sleeve, one inch from the sleeve hem. Pull the elastic edge to the other side and pin the other edge to the opposite seam. (You just made a circle around the top of your sock with the elastic edge.)
Use a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to attach the elastic edge to the sock. If the border is wide, make one stitch at the top and one at the bottom. Make sure to pull on the lining as you sew; If you don't, you may not be able to get the sock on your leg because it will be too tight.
Repeat for another sock and you are done. Simply slide the sock over your calf, slide over the boot, and enjoy.
You will need a stretch cut for this style. Lace, sequins, and ribbon are all notions that can be found with stretch in them. To see if your notion stretches, just pull left and right; If it stretches like elastic, then it's an elastic cut.
Use scissors to cut the sleeves just below the area of the armpit curve. Repeat for both sleeves.
Measure around your upper calf. Subtract one inch from that measurement. You want the sock to stay up when it's around your leg, but not be too snug where it's uncomfortable. Cut the stretch cut to size based on your previous measurement. Cut two strips, one for each sock.
Pin the edge of the rib trim to the back seam of the sleeve, one inch away from the sleeve hem. Pull the elastic edge to the other side and pin the other edge to the opposite seam. (You just made a circle around the top of your sock with the elastic edge.)
Use a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to attach the elastic edge to the sock. If the border is wide, make one stitch at the top and one at the bottom. Make sure to pull on the lining as you sew; If you don't, you may not be able to get the sock on your leg because it will be too tight.
Repeat for another sock and you are done. Simply slide the sock over your calf, slide over the boot, and enjoy.
To make this style, you will need 1/4” elastic, as well as a lace trim or ruffle trim. Use scissors to cut the sleeves of the t-shirt just below the area of the armpit curve. Repeat for both sleeves.
Measure around the top of your calf with the drawstring. Add seven to eight inches to that measurement, and then cut two strips of lace to that size.
Cut two strips of 1/4" elastic the same length as the circumference of the sleeve hem.
Attach the elastic to the bottom of the lace or ruffle trim. The elastic will be much shorter than the trim, so it will be attached at the side edges and in the center.
Use a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to sew the elastic into the lace or ruffle trim. Stretch the elastic as you go to match the length of the trim. Be sure to occasionally catch the elastic on your sewing needle when you're sewing to ensure it stays in place.
To make this style, you will need 1/4” elastic, as well as a lace trim or ruffle trim. Use scissors to cut the sleeves of the t-shirt just below the area of the armpit curve. Repeat for both sleeves.
Measure around the top of your calf with the drawstring. Add seven to eight inches to that measurement, and then cut two strips of lace to that size.
Cut two strips of 1/4" elastic the same length as the circumference of the sleeve hem.
Attach the elastic to the bottom of the lace or ruffle trim. The elastic will be much shorter than the trim, so it will be attached at the side edges and in the center.
Use a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to sew the elastic into the lace or ruffle trim. Stretch the elastic as you go to match the length of the trim. Be sure to occasionally catch the elastic on your sewing needle when sewing to ensure it stays in place.
Pin the edge of the cord or ruffle to the back seam of the sleeve, one inch from the sleeve hem. Pull the cord or ruffle to the other side and pin the other edge to the opposite seam. (You just made a circle around the top of your sock with the brim.)
Use a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to fasten the lace or frill to the top of the sock, stretching it out as you go.
You can also add other embellishments like buttons, extra sequins, or another row of lace.
Pin the edge of the cord or ruffle to the back seam of the sleeve, one inch from the sleeve hem. Pull the cord or ruffle to the other side and pin the other edge to the opposite seam. (You just made a circle around the top of your sock with the brim.)
Use a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to fasten the cord or frill to the top of the sock, stretching it as you go.
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