Friday, May 17, 2013

Kwik Sew 3968, Slipper Socks

KS 3968 Thumbnail

I have very cold feet and have one particular pair of fleece socks that I like to wear to bed in the winter.  I haven't found another pair of commercial socks that I like as much, and the socks I like were a gift many years ago so I can't get more of that particular one.  I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands, using Kwik Sew 3968.

Original Pattern



These socks are well-drafted and easy to sew.  The notches line up perfectly--as you can see on the pattern as drafted at left--and you can cut and sew a pair in well under half an hour.


Original and Modified Socks, Front







That's the good news.  The bad news is that the symmetrical draft that makes them so easy to cut, sew, and grab a pair to put on any-which-way makes them too uncomfortable for anyone to wear.  They flap around in a way that made me feel unstable.  If you want socks strictly for sitting on the couch or going to bed, they will be fine.  But if you'd like to pad around the house at all, you will need to make them conform to the non-symmetrical shape of the foot.



Original and Modified Socks, Top

You can see that the first pair gives me major duckfoot.  They felt very floppy on the feet, like they'd fall off at any second.  The last thing I want to do when I'm hanging around at home is think about whether or not my socks are falling off!

I sewed the first pair up as drafted, then put them on with the seam allowances in the outside and pinned out the extra along the inner arch of the foot, as well as at the ankle.  Then I altered the pattern to fit the foot.

Final Pattern

The altered pattern makes a great pair of lounging socks.  They conform to the shape of the foot and passively stay in place.

Modified Upper Sock





Be warned that if you are going to alter the width around the ankle, you definitely need a stretch fleece. I thought all fleece would have adequate stretch, but with a pair I made out of a less stretchy fleece I had a hard time pulling the narrow ankle over my foot.

Modeled









You can't make fleece socks attractive, but it amused me to try.  I love that they have the female model on the envelope with her feet in a "sexy" pose.  I wish they had shown her face, because I'd love to see the expression on it.  "All these years of calf raises and pedicures, and *this* is where my foot model career ends up?!"

All photos are here and the pattern review is here.


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As I mentioned in my last post, I haven't been able to find much time for blogging lately.  Well, then things really got hard.  If you can spare any good thoughts for my dad, I'd really appreciate it.  He appears to be on the mend now (but it has been a rollercoaster for the past month and I don't want to get complacent).  There will be a lot of going back and forth to Texas and not a lot of blogging for the foreseeable future.

23 comments:

McVal said...

LOVE those socks! I may have to make some this summer for me and my girls.
I'm sorry your dad (and you) have had a rough month. He is in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Cute socks!! It cracked me up that you paired them with a sexy dress. ;-)

Sorry to hear about your dad, hopefully, it gets better soon. Will be keeping you in my prayers in the meantime.

Adelaide B said...

Socks are cool. Hope your dad is feeling better soon!

Samina said...

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your Dad. Mine passed away unexpectedly at the end of March & I miss him terribly.

ClothingEngineer said...

Thank you for reviewing this pattern! I have it but never got around to it and I'm glad you mentioned the symmetrical draft. Love how you paired them with pearls and a LBD :).

Hope your dad feels better soon.

Clio said...

Duckfoot has officially made it into my personal lexicon. LOL

Best wishes to your Dad. And to you too - I hope you take good care of yourself at what sounds like a stressful and uncertain time. Cozy socks are a good start.

liza jane said...

Sending good thoughts to your dad. Love your modeling poses!

Rosie said...

So sorry to hear about your Dad. I hope he has a quick / complete recovery!!!

MushyWear said...

Great job on your socks! Praying your dad makes a full recovery! So glad to hear that you are able to be with him. Family is so important!

M Kate said...

Sock comfort - good timing for you :-). I am also dealing with dad issues, and I hope yours gets better as well. Hang in there - we're thinking about you!

Kate

LinB said...

Prayers from this corner of the world for your father -- and for all who are directly concerned with taking care of him. Take all the time you need. Your friends around the world will wait for you.

Love your solution to the floppy sock situation! Not many of us can boast custom cobble work (are you the shoemaker, or an elf?) My feet, too, were blocks of ice when I was young. A serious threat of punishment to my husband was to put my feet on his bare legs. Age and the addition of poundage now keeps me at furnace level most of the time.

Joy said...

I like how you've styled the socks, ha! And I you've "arrived" when you can alter sock patterns (:

I have the Green Pepper "polar sock" pattern and, even though I've traced it already, I can't remember if those are symmetrical or not.

Virginia at A Sewing Life said...

Great socks! Thanks for your notes on the sizing and construction. I've made some before, but I can't remember the pattern off hand. Your dress is fab.

Best wishes to your dad and the rest of your family--hope things improve and give you a little time for fun sewing soon.

Uta said...

Oh, the things you can sew... I never thought of socks, but they turned out great! Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers for your dad. It's so stressful when you're far away. Take care!

Faye Lewis said...

Cosy! I need a pair.

Ms. McCall said...

Wishing the best for your Dad.

Love that you were able to quickly make the perfect pair of lounging socks.

Mrs. Micawber said...

Love the little-black-dress-and-pearls-with-fleece-socks look. It says "Hey, I can be elegant and comfortable!"

Saying a prayer for your dad (and for you). I know how it is to have an ailing parent far away.

anne k said...

I Always follow your blog, and appreciate all of your generous information. Just chiming in to say take your time with blogging. Your fans will still be here! Sending warm thoughts to you and yout dad.

This cold-footed (therefore warm-hearted) woman will borrow your method for my own pair of elegant fleece socks. Thanks once more.

Trumbelina said...

I was very happy to see this post, but not so happy to hear about your dad. Good thoughts have been and are being sent out.

Your beautiful grey dress reminds me that I need to dig that pattern back out and fix my problems with it (that's the burda one, yes?).

Love the sox.

Take care and we'll hear from you when we hear from you!

Gauss said...

Sorry to hear about your dad. I hope things get better.

For the socks... it sounds like you need a pair of hand knit socks. If you have any friends who knit, they might be happy to trade a pair for something sewn. I could never go back to store-bought socks for warmth and comfort...

Kyle said...

Your socks with your mods are great!
Sending lots of warm, soothing healing energy to your dad!

kathy said...

Love the pearls accessorized with sleep socks.

twotoast said...

Love the corporate look (socks and LBD)! Have you tried knitting socks? - very addictive and there are some fabulous yarns available.

Special thoughts for your Dad . . . . ..