HOW TO MAKE A SOCK MONKEY

HOW ONE PAIR OF SOCKS BECOME A SOCK MONKEY.....  

This will take away the mystery!  

Remember to sew all your parts BEFORE you cut them out!  Its way easier!!!  

Now that you have your pieces cut out, its time to put your monkey together! 

MAIN BODY:   On the main body piece,  cut a 2" slit where the mouth will be.  Then turn and stuff the main piece.   When it is stuffed, it will look like this: 

 STOP!  Before you sew up the mouth, you will need to put on the eyes. 

EYES:   Cut a piece of white felt for the background (this is optional, but makes the eyes stand out so much better).

You have several options for eyes.

* You can paint them onto the white felt
*You can use a button if you are giving the monkey to an older child, or,
* You can use Teddy Bear eyes with a secure backing as shown below.  I order these from Etsy Shop 6060.  They are 9mm.  She has lots of other eyes,  but just be sure to get the ones with the pointed ends.  

If you are using Teddy Bear eyes, poke little holes in the felt so the eyes will go through.  Attach to the sock by poking each eye through and pushing on the back.

Do a little running stitch with contrasting color around the white felt.

 MOUTH:  
Sew up the stuffing hole, then sew on the heel which you have cut out from the second sock.  When you are almost finished sewing on the mouth, leave a little space so you can put the stuffing in.   Stuff it well.  Monkeys love to have a large mouth!

Using embroidery thread sew a little smile on your monkey.  Make sure he smiles, and doesn't look grumpy or mean!

 EARS:   Cut a little slit in the ears (because you cut them
on the fold of the sock, remember?).  Stuff them with a small amount of stuffing.  Fold under the ends, and sew onto the sides of his head.  I usually sew them right under the toe seam.  Don't worry, if they aren't totally even, its ok!  Monkeys are very individual, and no stress is needed about everything  being perfect!  Monkeys have lots of personality!

ARMS, TAIL:  Do the same for the arms and tail.  Stuff and sew them.  Be sure to sew them securely because they will be getting lots of lovin.

HEART:  I like to sew a heart on each monkey.  Extra love you know.    I just cut out a contrasting piece of felt and stitch around with embroidery thread.  Sometimes I use pink, or red, or orange.  I've even been known to use purple! 


Below are a few extra instructions which may help you a bit more. 

Lost Monkeys.....Found!

Recently sent a box of monkeys to Children's Hospital.  Weeks went by and they didn't receive them.  Ends up, they were lost in the hospital's mailroom to be found only after a diligent search by one of the nursing staff. 

 Ready to go to work bringing smiles to kids, one sock at a time....

Eye Cancer Patients receive one eyed sock monkeys

The University of Iowa has partnered with the Merry Monkey Makers to provide sock monkeys to children who lose an eye due to cancer.

Check out the whole article:
https://medicine.uiowa.edu/eye/content/eye-cancer-patients-receive-sock-monkey-%E2%80%9C-me%E2%80%9D

Team members from the Eye Clinic partnered with the UI Hospitals & Clinics Volunteer Services office to create a customized sock monkey doll for children who have an eye removed. The monkey features a winking eye to match the eye that the patient has removed (right or left). Hand-made monkeys also have different color remaining eyes and other features that add to the uniqueness of each.

The idea for personalized monkeys came from UI student volunteer Kenten Kingsbury and oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Audrey Ko. They realized that sock monkey dolls were being made by a hospital volunteer group known as the Merry Monkey Makers, so the two arranged through the Volunteer Services office to have monkeys specially designed for Eye Clinic patients.

Makin monkeys together.....

The girls at church wanted to learn how to make monkeys.

Some of the girls had never sewn before, and they did great job.  With a little practice,  will become
first rate monkeymakers. Everyone had a great time.

The icing on the cake is learning how to make monkey TUTUS.....they bring a smile everytime.

Hint to making TUTUS:

Use an elastic hair band.  Cut strips of tuille or ribbon and tie around the hair band.  Voila!  You have a tutu for your monkey.

Go ahead and Just Serve!

 I checked JustServe.org to see if there are any local organizations that would benefit from monkeys.  Yes there is!  A homeless shelter.

 I contacted them through the JustServe website this morning, and heard back already.  They would love 25 monkeys and also asked if they could get more in the future.  This is a perfect home for the first 25 of the monkeys. 

JustServe is such a fabulous way to connect needs to solutions in the community. 

What is JustServe?

JustServe.org is a website where the volunteer needs of organizations may be posted and volunteers may search for places to serve in the community.

JustServe provides opportunities to relieve suffering, care for the poor and needy, and enhance the quality of life in the community. JustServe is not for proselytizing or publicity—it is simply a service to help link community volunteer needs with volunteers.


Here is the link:
https://www.justserve.org/account

This is why we do what we do......

Some Serious Monkeymakers, right?

Kristi, Kerri and Sharon have been up to their eyeballs in sock monkeys.....literally!  These pictures represent months and months and probably months of sewing, stitching and stuffing.  Kerri puts the finishing touches on each monkey by crocheting a little "outfit" or accessory. 

Each of their monkeys have a touch of fun and humor and a little personality of its own!   Capes, and tutus, masks, hats, wings....

 The kids are going to love them!  Thank you very amazing ladies.