RSS feed
DIY
« Older Entries | Newer Entries »
Last week we showed you the basics for dyeing socks. Once you start experimenting more with dyeing socks and fabric, you can also start looking into the wide world of dyes that are chemically formulated for specific fibers. One of the best places around for dyes and dyeing info is Dharma Trading Company. They’re a favourite with Dreamers who love to dye!
Even if you’re not ready for learning the scientific ins and outs of fancy dyes, you can expand your techniques and start playing around with ways to add colour. I’ve got two simple approaches to show you. The easiest (and my favourite) creates something between marbling and tie-dye. Called “low water immersion” or “scrunch” dyeing, it’s always a beautiful surprise to see how it turns out which, for me, is part of the fun.
All you’ll need for this technique are:
• Dye •
• What you’re dying (the unevenly dyed sock half from last week for me!) •
• A container not too much bigger than what you’re dyeing, remember plastic will stain! •
(to see what would work best, scrunch up your sock and try fitting it into various jars and containers)
• A container to mix your dye in •
Not shown:
• Very hot water (like for brewing tea) •
• Optional: vinyl or rubber gloves to keep dye off your hands •
Not that many things, is it? Join me after the jump for the simple run-down and one more easy way to play with dye! Read more »
by Brenna
March 23rd, 2012
A little over a year ago on the Sock Journal we introduced our Crafty Bundle, a batch of five mis-matched socks to use as a catalyst for creation! Recently, as we have been rolling the bundles, we realized that there were a bevy of white and off-white socks, more than we could easily add to a bundle without overwhelming it.
Well, the logical thing to do is offer a white and off-white option of the Crafty Bundle, the Dyer’s Batch! You still get five assorted socks, but they’re in easy-to-dye shades (and, since they’re all Dream Stockings and Dreamer Socks, easy to dye fibers too!). What I’m especially excited about is that the Dyer’s Batch gives folks a chance to play with dyeing socks without the worry that they’ll ruin a favourite pair. And, if the dye job turns out, it’s easy to whip them into something fun like arm warmers or any of the cool DIY sock ideas we’re pinning to Pinterest!
If you’ve never dyed socks before, don’t stress, it is super easy! We’ll walk you through the basics, so you have the foundation to play to your heart’s content.
For just straight up dyeing cotton blends like the socks in our Crafty Bundles, something easy to get and use like RIT Dye works pretty well, especially if you’re just learning. The common complaint with RIT is that you can’t get strong, vivid colour from it, so keep that in mind. The RIT Dye site has lots of great tips and techniques that are worth checking out, no matter what dye you’re using.
You’ll need:
• A glass or plastic bowl or bucket that will easily hold what you’re dyeing •
(remember! Dye will stain plastic, so don’t use your favourite mixing bowl if it is plastic)
• Dye •
• What you’re dyeing! •
• Something to stir with •
Not shown here, because I am a space case:
• A smaller glass or plastic container to pre-mix your dye in •
• Hot water, think “as hot as tea”—doesn’t have to be boiling •
• Optional: gloves so you don’t stain your hands•
Once you’ve gathered your gear, meet me after the jump for the how-to! Read more »
by Brenna
March 16th, 2012
Like many of you, we sometimes feel the strain of a never-ending array of new sites to participate in. But Pinterest has caught our eye, it is full of pretty pictures and inspiration… so we’ve dipped our toes into their pool and are having fun, not only adding pictures of our favorite socks, but also shots of our critters, stuff we no longer carry, people we miss, comparison shots, some of our fun invoice drawings and, of course, things that simply inspire us. This is just the beginning… Do you Pinterest?
by niqkita
February 27th, 2012
Unless you choose 2 Day Express by the end of the day today (Friday the 28th), you probably won’t get your socks in time for Halloween on Monday (check out our shipping info page and give us a call if you have questions, we know how important socks are this time of year) But don’t worry! There are two costume socks you can DIY yourself, if you need a last-minute finishing touch for your costume. In both these DIY I’m using the O Basics, but any plain sock will work perfectly.
Skeleton Socks!
If you need something like the Kawaii Skeleton OTK, all you need is a pair of black socks, a paintbrush and some white acrylic paint (like craft paint). This one is easier to do if you put the socks on (it’s even easier if you have someone help you, though!). Keep in mind, some paint will leak through to your leg, but that’s the beauty of craft paint, it washes off.
Using our image of the Kawaii Skeleton OTK or an image of leg bones as a guide, paint some bones on your socks. If you’re not comfortable freehanding, use a piece of chalk or a white eye liner to draw some guides before you paint. The result is much more like an x-ray, which I kind of like!
Not too hard! But if you want an even easier option, you can DIY your own version of a very popular stocking we sold out of way too fast this season. That and more after the jump (believe me, you want to see what other Halloweeny goodness I have to share)! Read more »
by Brenna
October 28th, 2011
We love our Sock Dreams logo tees, but with the weather (finally!) warming up for us here in the Northwest, the classic squarer shape that was so great to layer with is starting to seem a bit much. Time for a little bit of custom fitting. Dreamer Rosalind (who you might know from our Facebook), has a pretty quick medium difficulty DIY just for you. You’ll need a sewing machine or access to one (or really great hand-sewing skills!) and the following tools:
• A t-shirt that you love the fit of that’s the same thickness as the one to be fitted •
• A t-shirt that needs to be fitted (works best with a shirt that’s at least a size too big) •
• Scissors •
• Pins •
• Something to mark with •
(the blue in the picture is tailor’s chalk, we just used a white eyeliner pencil!)
• Something to measure with (optional) •
Are you all set, and all ready? Well join us after the jump for the how to! Read more »
by Brenna
July 1st, 2011
« Older Entries | Newer Entries »