There was such a wonderful response from my blog post where Peggy shared her tips on making a pair of tights for your doll from a ladies sock, so I’m sure you will enjoy the following tutorial, again from Peggy, on how to make a pair of socks for your 18 inch American Girl or other sized doll from a ladies sock.
1. Sock lying flat
2. Decide on the length you want the sock plus enough to cover the length of the foot. Mark the sock with a pin and cut straight across- usually between 4-6 inches down from the top of the cuff. You can just see the pin in the picture above.
3. Sock portion cut to desired length
4. Cut sock up both sides
5. to make 2 pieces
6. Fold each piece in half, right sides together and pin
7. Serge a rolled edge hem or sew a small zigzag or knitt stitch from the top down to the bottom and then across the bottom edge.
8. Turn to right side
9. Completed sock on doll
Peggy often does the same thing with the foot section of the sock, but she has to do a rolled hem around the top opening and then join the side and toe seams with a rolled hem stitch as you don’t have the top cuff to act as the top of the sock.
If you find it difficult to keep the edges together when sewing or serging, you may prefer to try the following.
- Mark the point where you would like the bottom of the sock to be with a pin
- Mark the centre of the top of the sock with a pin
- On the left side of the top pin, stitch a small zigzag or knit stitch down to the pin at the bottom and then stitch out to the left side.
- On the right side of the top pin, stitch a small zigzag or knit stitch down to the pin at the bottom and then stitch out to the right side.
- Make sure to leave enough room between the two rows of stitching from the top down so that you can cut between them
- Cut across the bottom and up the centre
- Turn to right side and Voila!
If you have suitable fabric in your stash, you could also very easily make socks for your doll by cutting two rectangle pieces approx 3″ x 4-6″ (8cm x 10-15cm) depending on how much stretch your fabric has and how long you want the socks to be. Hem the top of each rectangle (one of the shortest sides), fold in half as Peggy has in step 6 above and then sew the side and toe seams. Turn to the right side and you have a cute pair of socks for your doll.
It was fantastic to receive all these photos and instructions from Peggy and she has sent more tutorials on making underpants and a top from socks too that I will share in coming blogs. Thanks so very much Peggy for taking the time to share your ideas with us.
If you would like to know more about making doll clothes please check out my How to Make Doll Clothes video course.
Happy Sewing
By Rosie Saw
Love this. My granddaugther is always needing socks and undies for her doll. You make it look, sound so easy. Great instructions.
Thanks Sandee. Have you tried my underpants pattern? If you have an old t-shirt or some knit fabric in your stash, it’s a quick and easy pattern to make up. Otherwise, I will be sharing Peggy’s tip on making underpants from a ladies sock in a coming blog. Happy sewing, Rosie.
Rosie, I have used the socks to make a, strapless dress, using the top of the sock for the top of the dress and so far have just left the bottom frayed, I get my socks from the 99 cent store and I also buy baby t-shirts and use them for doll shirts and have the binding I need for neck and sleeves. I also made a pair of leggings from 1 of sheer knee highs, but I made my seam on the inside of the legs. Lots of fun, Gail
I loved the tights from ladies socks and somewhere I saw the directions for socks. I make them the second way described and I am so excited to be able to make socks the color to match my dolls dresses! My 8 year old granddaughter made a pair too! I too get my socks from dollar store. Haven’t sewn since getting your DVD course as I am helping a friend volunteering for meals and transport to chemo! But I will send pictures when I once again get to my sewing machine. Ann keep the tips comIng!
Thank you Rosie for sharing Peggy’s patterns for tights and socks. I can’t seem to find knee high ladies socks here. I am going to the USA next month so I will try there. I have bought so many pairs that have not been long enough, now I can use them for making doll socks. Thanks again. Dianne
These are so cute. Thank you for all the ideas.
Hi Rosie,
Just thought I would share a discovery I found online recently about belts for dolls. Someone suggested that you can get the most trendy and fashionable belts at the dollar store. Just go to their pet supply department and buy some really cute dog or cat collars to fit 11″ necks.
Anyway, I just came back from our local dollar store and bought 28 belts that are fantastic. Lots of jewels, and really interesting prints and designs. Since I am in Florida now for the winter I don’t have my sample doll with me, nor do I have a sewing machine here, but I know these “belts” will look great with many of the outfits I have sewn and plan to sew once I get home in the spring. Anyway, I was so excited with my discovery and purchase I just had to share it with you all.
Peggy
Hi Folks,
Enjoy reading your tips, and love Rosie’s!! Starting Feb 10. I will be making doll clothes for my doll and also for my Grand daughters Maplelea doll Taryn. Have already made some, and love designing new patterns from old ones. I am struggling how to make shoes and boots, as not sure when reading the instructions what some of the terminology means (for supplies).
Is there a place in Canada does anyone know to buy small zippers for doll clothes? Right now I use velcro. I use used clothing to make outfits or small pieces of fabric my friends give me. I will post some pictures later, if I can figure out how to do it.
I would like to learn to knit some hats, sweaters, etc also. (I do knit, not sure of reading a pattern).
Love the idea about the belts…will be going to the pet dept at our dollar store, and 2nd hand shops. I am really excited on starting these outfits…..thanks again…your tips are encouraging!!!
Are we allowed to give out our email address on this blog???………………..Marian
Thanks for the lovely comments Marian, it is great to see you enjoying my patterns and blog. Zipper that Doll is an online store and has small zippers for dolls – I mention it in one of my earlier blogs ‘Rosie answers your question about Velcro’
We would love to see your photos when you get the chance, simply email them to me and I will include them in a future blog.
Regarding adding your email address to the blog, for your own safety I would prefer you didn’t include it as there is no protection on who can see it and therefore who can contact you….sorry Marian. There is no reason why you cannot share sewing ideas through this blog as then we all benefit from each other.
Look forward to hearing from you again soon.
Happy sewing, Rosie
Marian,
I live in Halifax, NS and have ordered zippers from zipperthatdoll.com. The prices were excellent and I ordered about $50.00 + worth of zippers and thin velcro. They arrived really quickly and there was no duty or other customs problems with my order. They also have little stops to put on the zippers if you want to cut these really short ones to an even smaller size. I highly recommend this web site. Their thin velcro is definitely a must for doll clothes as well.
As far as the shoes and boots are concerned I googled shoes and boots patterns for 18″ dolls and got all sorts of great ideas, information, videos and instructions. Much of the foam pieces are available at Michael’s Crafts. I don’t know where you live but it is possible that you will be able to find one of their stores within a reasonable distance. If not, I think you can order from them online. Their different kinds of foam pieces are great for doll shoes and boots. Of course a glue gun is a necessity for many designs as well. Pretty well anything and everything you will need to know can be found online if you google it.
Good luck with it. I hope you do send Rosie some photos of your finished pieces. I’d love to see them too.
Peggy
Thank you for sharing!! Can’t wait to try this for my two vinyl CPK girls.🥰
My pleasure Jackie. I bet your little vinyl CPK girls can’t wait to be wearing new sock dresses. 🙂
Just used this to make a pair of tiny socks for my daughters madame Alexander huggums doll that is impossible to find clothes for. There will be many more pairs of socks made. Got 2 socks out of the top portion of a single toddler sock. Thank you and thanks to Peggy as well.
So glad to hear you used this tip from Peggy and that it has solved a problem you’ve had. Yay! Thanks also for letting me know. Happy sewing 🙂