Chapter II: Part 2

EYES: If you plan to make several toys, especially animals, invest in manufactured eyes. Or, use eyes from discarded toys. Shoe buttons also make very good eyes since they have shanks. Add a highlight speck of white paint to each button eye to avoid that blank look. Never use eyes that are too small unless you want an older or mean look.

HAIR: Inexpensive wigs, or ones from discarded dolls, can be substituted for pom poms and scrap fur. Pencil guide lines on the head before sewing on pom poms.

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS: Much can be done to accentuate features and to give toys individuality by embroidering or using felt eyebrows, eyelashes, wrinkles, crinkles and so forth. Felt pieces should be glued on or sewn with tiny stitches in matching thread. We used the satin stitch for embroidered features (Figure 6).

BLACK CENTER
WHITE HIGHLIGHT
BLUE
SATIN STITCH MOUTH
SATIN STITCH EYE

CLOTHING: Use freshly laundered and pressed materials—it’s well worth the extra effort. Avoid patterned materials that are out of proportion to the toys. Crayons (pressed well into the fabric) or textile paints can be used to make small pattern designs. Tempera paints tend to wash out. Choose materials that do not easily unravel.

FINGER PUPPETS

MAKING AND STUFFING HEAD: Insert a short piece of paper towel roll in the toe of the sock, then push stuffing up around it until the head is plump and round (Figure 1). Tie a ribbon around the neck and stitch in place to keep it from slipping (Figure 2). Features can be added and the face pushed into various shapes. The finger puppets on pages 35-38 are just a few of the endless variations that can be made.

ARMS: Make a slit on each side of the sock below the neck—just large enough for your thumb and little finger. If desired, little glove-like fingers can be sewn over the openings, otherwise just whip stitch the edge (Figure 3). Add appropriate clothes.

TO OPERATE: Push your index finger and second finger into the cardboard roll; and thumb and little finger into the slits on the side (Figure 4). Head can be bobbed up and down or sideways by moving the fingers inside the cardboard roll while the thumb and little finger can move together and apart to grasp articles, wave, and so on.

WITCH

Follow basic instructions above for finger puppets.

NOSE: Use the red heel of another sock or a piece of felt. Cut in a triangular shape, sew the long sides together, turn and stuff lightly. Bend for a hooked nose and sew to face (Figure 1).

MOUTH: Sew on an upside down crescent-shaped piece of felt.

EYES: Sew on two black buttons, close together over nose. Embroider forbidding black eyebrows.

HAIR: Add scraggly black hair by sewing on loops of black yarn in various lengths and cutting the ends open (Figure 2).

CLOAK: Use a piece of dark material about 12″ × 15″. Fold in half lengthwise. Sew across one end starting at the corner of the folded edge and tapering down to a point 2″ from the top of the open edge (Figure 3). The highest point becomes the peak of the hood. Turn right side out. Gather the material about 4″ down from the front of the hood to fit around the neck of the puppet. Stitch ribbon over gathers and tie ends at front. Turn front edges of hood back about 1″ and hem rough edges (Figure 4).

KATIE ’N’ JAMIE

Follow basic instructions for finger puppets on page 35.

LEGS: Cut the white ribbings from two socks to make the legs. Cut each ribbing lengthwise and sew down the long sides and across one end. Turn and stuff lightly. Sew the legs to the front of the puppet sock opposite the heel so that the puppet appears to “sit” when propped over the edge of a stage. Tie ribbon around the ankles (Figure 1). For more realistic legs with feet, follow methods used for dolls on pages 17 and 19.

HAIR: See page 32 for hair styles. Make both from the same color yarn.

FEATURES: Embroider eyelashes and eyebrows in black yarn. Mouths are red felt. Sew an upturned nose with beige yarn (Figure 2).

BLOUSE: Cut Katie’s blouse from two pieces of white material (Figure 3). Sew together at shoulders, leaving a space for neck and then down sides leaving arm holes. Pull up over bottom of puppet. Add a wide lace collar to hide shoulder seams and short lace edging around arm holes.

SKIRT: Cut a 10″ circle of felt and remove a 3″ circle from the center. Slit up the back and overlap to fit around the puppet. Fasten with a snap. Add shoulder straps of the same material to keep the skirt from slipping. Trim the skirt and straps with embroidery or sequins (Figure 4).

SHIRT: Cut Jamie’s shirt from the same white material and stitch to the body in the same way. Cut a collar-shaped piece of material and stitch around the neck. Whip stitch arm holes. Add buttons down front of shirt (Figure 5).

PANTS: Cut the pants as shown from the same felt material as the skirt—pointed piece for the front (Figure 6). Sew the point down onto the sock between the legs. Back piece will actually look like a skirt and is merely there to make short pants appear complete. Make suspenders from the same material and attach to the pants with tiny buttons.

HATS: For Katie, make a bonnet as shown and tie to the head with ribbon bow under chin (Figure 7). Jamie wears a beanie made from the toe of a sock. Roll back the brim and add a pom pom to the top (Figure 8).

SHOES: If you use more elaborate legs with feet, follow the shoe pattern designs on page 30 making about ½ size. Remember to sew the shoes to the feet rather than try to fit shoes over feet.

PIRATE

MAKE PATCH

Follow basic instructions for finger puppets on page 35.

NOSE AND EYES: Pinch a small portion of the sock together in the middle of the face and tie off—dab with red paint. Sew on one button eye and make a black patch for the other. Make evil looking black eyebrows from yarn (Figure 1).

MOUTH: From red felt, cut a wide, sly, grinning mouth. Remove a small portion from the center to give an open grin. Add a gruesome tooth or two and a villainous black mustache (Figure 2).

BEARD: Add yarn or fringed felt around the chin and sides of the face. At the top of the beard, add a few longer strands of wild looking hair (Figure 3).

DRESS: Make a bandana from bright spotted material and tie it around the top of the head, knotting the ends at one side. Hang brass curtain rings on for earrings. For the shirt, take a black colored sock and cut it off at the heel. For arm holes, make a slit on each about 1″ down from the top of the cuff. Slip over the puppet and turn down top for a turtle neck effect. Add a belt from leatherette and paint the skull and cross bones in the center (Figure 4).

INDIAN

Follow basic instructions for finger puppets on page 35.

FEATURES: Use two round brown buttons for eyes—paint on a spot of white for highlight. Embroider brows in black and mouth in red. Add small button nose (Figure 1).

HAIR: Wind black yarn around a card 3″ wide, about 20 times. Gather along one edge with black yarn; snip other edge open and remove carefully (Figure 2). Sew to the top of the head with the seam down the center like a part and hair hanging down each side of the head. Fit a band of tape (embroidered or plain with beadwork) around the head and add a feather at the back (Figure 3).

DRESS: Cut a shirt from a piece of material 8″ × 6″, seam and fit to puppet with opening at the back. Gather along the waist and sew to a strip of felt for the belt (Figure 4).

OPTIONAL: Add novel beads around neck and wrists (if you have added the glove-like fingers mentioned in the basic instructions). You might try a Mohawk hairdo, braids, fancy headdress, medicine man’s mask or other variations.

LION

SEW EARS WIDE APART

Follow basic instructions for finger puppets on page 35.

FEATURES: Cut toe from the second sock, turn inside out and sew to a nose shape (Figure 1). Stuff lightly and stitch to the front of the head. Embroider end of the nose in black yarn and add an upside down Y-shaped mouth in red yarn. Sew on black button eyes over brown felt circles (Figure 2).

EARS: Cut two petal shaped pieces from brown felt or scrap fur and two pieces from pink felt. Sew the pink and brown pieces together, leaving an opening for turning. Turn and stitch to head. Pleat felt.

MANE: Sew bushy yarn pom poms (see page 32) or strips of scrap fur over the top of the head and down around the neck (Figure 3).

PAWS: Make two small paws from the second sock or the fingers of an old glove and sew over the slits at the sides of the puppet. Add small yarn pom poms or fur scraps near the ends (Figure 4).

FINISHING TOUCHES: If he is to be THE LION in “The Wizard of Oz” hang a little heart locket around the neck.

BILLY GOAT

Follow the basic instruction for the finger puppets on page 35.

FEATURES: Cut toe from second sock, turn inside out and sew to a narrower end (Figure 1). Turn, stuff and stitch to the face. Embroider two nostrils at the tip and sew on a red mouth. Cut two circles of brown felt and sew to each side of the head. Add bright buttons or beads to complete the eyes. For a sleepy look, use flat button eyes and sew crescent-shaped pieces of felt over so that only the bottom half of the eyes shows. Embroider eyelashes, or cut them from felt, if you want to give Mr. Billy Goat a coy expression.

EARS AND HORNS: Cut ears as shown and sew to the top of the head (Figure 2). Make horns from white felt, sewing them into a tube. Insert pipe cleaners into the tubes so that they can be bent to the desired shape. Sew firmly to the top of the head, pushing pipe cleaners down into the head a bit. Curve horns backwards (Figure 3).

WHISKERS: Add a pom pom (wound only 10 times) under the chin and trim to a point.

TRIM: Add a high, formal white collar with a black bow tie. Make a pair of spectacles from thin wire with the nose piece setting well towards the tip (Figure 4).

ARM PUPPETS

The puppets shown on the following pages are basically those in which the mouth is made to move by the action of the hand. In making these puppets keep in mind that ample room must be left over and under the mouth piece for the fingers to operate freely to obtain the maximum facial expressions. Do not use staples, pins or other sharp objects to hold pieces together since they are apt to cut the hand or fingers. Make the puppets large enough so that they can be easily slipped on and off by the child or adult using them.

STEP NO. 1: Tuck the heel of the sock to make a straight tubular piece.

STEP NO. 2: Cut the foot of the sock as shown by the dotted lines.

STEP NO. 3: Turn the sock inside out and cut a piece of red material the shape of the mouth opening. Also cut a matching piece from cardboard. Sew the red material to the sock with an overhand stitch or use your sewing machine.

STEP NO. 4: Turn the sock right side out. Fold the cardboard piece in half and insert in the sock.

STEP NO. 5: Add features such as button eyes, nose, hair and so forth.

ANIMATION: Most talking puppets are operated by placing the thumb under the bottom cardboard piece and the fingers over the upper piece. Open and close the hand to make the puppet talk. Twisting the hand will give a variety of facial expressions and moving the arm about will add to the illusion.

VARIATIONS

The basic instructions above are for the crocodile which appeared in the September 1954 issue of _Pack-O-Fun_ magazine. With modifications, literally hundreds of puppet variations can be made. By simply adding a saw-toothed strip of felt on top, Mr. Crocodile can be turned into a scaly, scary dragon. Or by shortening the mouth and building up the head, as we did for the clown and ringmaster on page 40, you can create a multitude of lovable characters from Hansel and Gretel to modern animated cartoon animals.

Whiskers and mustaches will give villainous or rube-like looks; eyes and ears can be exaggerated for comic expressions; cheeks can be padded for a chubby look and noses can be anything from a tiny button to a long duck’s beak. Hairdos can be long and feminine, short and boyish or fringed for a lion’s mane. Hats, dresses and other costume pieces will enhance the puppet character and hide the arm.

The puppets on pages 42-43 were made for the underwater western skit “Phineas Rides Again” written by our Katie Conrad. Four of the characters are talking puppets. Louie the Lobster is a finger puppet and will give you an idea how both types of puppets can be combined for maximum visual effect. Susie Starfish has no moving parts, but being the beautiful heroine really doesn’t need any! It is possible for one person to handle all six roles.

CLOWN PUPPET

For Sock No. 1 follow Steps 1, 2, 3, 4 on page 39, but make the mouth shorter.

HEAD: Cut 4″ from the toe of the second sock. Stuff lightly, but firmly, so that it doesn’t get too heavy (Figure 1). Sew to the top of the first sock, turning under the rough edges. Be careful not to sew the space above the cardboard closed in Sock No. 1. Shape nice and round (Figure 2).

FEATURES: For eyes use large round or crescent-shaped pieces of felt with bright buttons sewn on. Embroider exaggerated eyebrows. Use a big bead or button for the nose. Colorful pom poms (see page 32) are sewn on for sideburns. Cut a piece of bright red felt for an upper lip and sew it to the top sock (Figure 3).

COSTUME: Add a cone-shaped hat (see Clown Doll on page 27) perched at a rakish angle. To hide the arm, stitch a colorful ruffle around the neck—being careful not to sew it so tight that you will have difficulty getting your arm in the puppet (Figure 4).

ANIMATION: Slip the thumb into the bottom part of the mouth and the fingers into the top.

RINGMASTER

Make the head the same way as the clown above.

FEATURES: The ringmaster’s features are more nearly natural than those of the clown. Embroider thick eyebrows in black, brown or red yarn and sew buttons under them for eyes. For the nose cut a triangular piece from a matching sock, sew the long edges together and turn. Stuff lightly and sew to face. Bend the nose to give it a slight hook (Figure 1). The curling mustache, hair and neat sideburns can be embroidered in yarn matching or contrasting with the eyebrows (Figure 2). Ears can be cut from felt. Sew them on so that they stick out a bit.

COSTUME: Use shiny black oilcloth to make the top hat described on page 31. Set at a jaunty angle and whip stitch to head. Stitch a white wing collar around the neck with just the suggestion of a tie (Figure 3). For greater realism add the upper part of a frock coat with wide lapels. Put a white carnation on the right lapel (Figure 4).

OTHER CIRCUS PUPPETS: By following the basic head patterns you can make other circus folk and animals. For features use the many suggestions for the Sock Animals and Sock Dolls. For example, for a talking elephant stitch a trunk right above the mouth, add tusks and big ears, a tasseled headpiece and so forth.

Phineas Rides Again

Reprinted from _Pack-O-Fun Skit Book No. 1_

The puppets are made from old socks with burlap, felt, cardboard, sponge, plastic lacing and buttons used for features, tentacles, and claws.

The operators sit on chairs on either side of a theatre made from a cardboard carton, with openings cut in each side. Stage directions for right and left are for a person ON STAGE, facing the audience. The direction from which each character enters must be considered in making the puppets.

(_The ANNOUNCER appears in front of the curtain._)

Announcer: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! For years the action-filled western has reigned supreme as a favorite with adventure story lovers. Recently, however, its popularity has been challenged by a rush of interest in underwater drama. Tonight, we combine these trends and proudly present a production that will please everyone: A-Cowboy-Story-Under-The-Sea. Its title is “Phineas Rides Again” or “The Foam Ranger.”

The following exciting characters will appear:

Phineas Fish—_The Hero_
Clem Clam—_His Sidekick_
Susie Starfish—_The Heroine_
Oily Oliver Octopus—_The Villain_
Louie the Lobster—_His Accomplice_
Sam Sponge—_The Sheriff_

Shall we join the players way down yonder in the wild western ocean?

(_ANNOUNCER leaves, and the curtain opens far enough to reveal the puppet theatre. PHINEAS has entered from RIGHT and is on stage, alone, singing. Others backstage may join him to add to the volume._)

Phineas: (_To the tune of “Home on the Range”_)

Oh, give me a home where the mackerel roam
And the cod and the anchovies play.
Where often is seen, the cheerful sardine
And the sunfish is shining all day.

(_CLEM enters from LEFT during song._)

Phineas: Hi ya Clem. Some tun-a, eh?

Clem: Frankly, Finny, it smelt.

Phineas: Ah, quit carping.

Clem: Did you hear about the commotion in town?

Phineas: What’s up?

Clem: Somebody robbed the Oyster bank early this morning.

Phineas: Great Grunion! Did they get much?

Clem: Stole all the pearls and a million dollars in gold fish.

Phineas: Phew! That’s a lot of fish! What’s the Sheriff doing?

Clem: Oh, he’s floundering around.

Phineas: Clem, go tell him we’ll help solve this case.

Clem: O.K. (_CLEM leaves, PHINEAS begins singing “I’m An Old Cow Hand,” but is violently bumped as the SHERIFF enters LEFT._)

Phineas: Hey, Sam, did you do that on porpoise?

Sheriff: Sorry, Finny. I haven’t been so excited since my dogfish had guppies.

Phineas: Clem told me about the robbery. Have you found the varmints yet?

Sheriff: Nope. They left a red herring on the trail.

Phineas: Hm. Must have been some daring soles.

Sheriff: Oh, I don’t know. Only an ’eel would do a thing like that.

Phineas: I’ll go get my sea horse from the coral and join the posse.

Sheriff: Fine. See you later. (_SHERIFF leaves. Before PHINEAS can leave, a girl is heard, crying, and SUSIE enters, LEFT._)

Susie: Oh, I’m so frightened! Please help me, Phineas.

Phineas: Stop your blubberin’, little gal. What’s wrong?

Susie: (_weeping_) I can’t find the Sheriff! I think I know who robbed the bank, and they’re after me!

Phineas: Who, gal, who?

Susie: Oily Oliver Octopus and Louie the Lobster!

Phineas: Are you sure? Why I remember them when they were just a couple of perch-snatchers.

Susie: Oh, yes. I saw them near the bank this morning, but I didn’t realize what they were going to do.

Phineas: I’ll go tell the Sheriff. He’ll throw out the fishnet.

Susie: (_wailing_) Oh, don’t leave me! Stur-geon-na be trouble.

Phineas: Don’t you fret, Susie, gal. Hide behind that clump of seagrass till I come back. (_PHINEAS leaves, RIGHT. SUSIE also leaves, LEFT, apparently to hide. OLIVER enters RIGHT and LOUIE, LEFT._)

Oliver: Well, we made our get-away all right.

Louie: Yep, but I’m scared, boss. We’ve got to catch that little starfish before she talks.

Oliver: Well, where is she? She came this way.

Louie: ’Course I kinda hate to hurt her. Gosh, she’s purtier than Marlin Monroe!

Oliver: Forget it! Don’t be a sucker for a pretty fish.

Louie: Reckon you’re right. I’ll go look that-a-way. (_leaves, LEFT._)

Oliver: (_Looks about, sees SUSIE hiding and drags her on stage from left._) Aho! So there you are. Come on out.

Susie: I was right! It WAS you and Louie.

Oliver: Yes, but you’ll never tell.

Susie: Unhand me, you cod! Somebody else already knows!

Oliver: Who?

Susie: I won’t tell!

Oliver: Talk, you little sprat!

Susie: I won’t! I won’t!

Oliver: So you’re gonna clam up? Wait’ll I get Louie! (_OLIVER leaves, and SUSIE is alone._)

Susie: (_wailing_) Land o’Ocean, what shall I do? (_PHINEAS enters, RIGHT._)

Phineas: I’ll save you, Susie gal! Go hide again, quick! (_SUSIE disappears quickly and LOUIE enters from the LEFT._)

Louie: Hey, Boss, where is she? (_sees PHINEAS._) Out o’ my way, Buster.

Phineas: I’ll fix you, you lobster mobster! (_PHINEAS rushes at LOUIE, butts him from underneath with his head and mouth and LOUIE gives a bounce in the air and collapses over the front of the stage, hanging limply. PHINEAS leaves._)

Phineas: (_offstage_) And you! I’ll smush you, you octopus, you! (_OLIVER flies in after some loud offstage noises, bounces up in the air and collapses next to LOUIE over the front of the stage._) Clem! Sheriff! Drag these sidewinders out of here! (_OLIVER and LOUIE go off limply, as if being dragged. PHINEAS enters, RIGHT._)

Susie: (_offstage_) Can I come out now?

Phineas: Come on. It’s all over. They’ve vamoosed to the calaboose.

Susie: (_enters LEFT_) My hero! You’re a dol-Phin-eas!

Phineas: Shucks, ’Twarn’t nuthin’.

Susie: But however did you do it? They’re so strong and powerful!

Phineas: For years I used to be just another poor fish. But then I started eating a better breakfast every day, and now I win all my fights.

Susie: My goodness! But tell me, what do you eat for breakfast?

Phineas: Why SEAWEEDIES, Gal, SEAWEEDIES!!

Susie: My CHAMPION! (_They kiss._)

_Curtain_

SKIT PUPPETS

SUSIE STARFISH

SEW TO HEART

Use a pastel colored sock to hide the arm. From white or light pink felt cut a star-shaped face about 6″ from tip to tip. Round the points for a soft look. For hair, cut a heart-shaped piece of black, yellow or red felt. Sew to star face with matching thread. Add eyebrows, long inverted coy eyelashes, two stitches to suggest a nose and a red rosebud mouth (Figure 1). Sew the star-face to the sole of the sock (Figure 2).

PHINEAS FISH

SLIT HERE
SEW CIRCLE HERE

Use a white sock for our hero. Cut a 1½″ slit in the toe and turn the sock inside out. Cut a 3½″ circle of pink or red felt, fold and overstitch around mouth slit (Figure 1). Turn sock right side out and add a thin lip line. For the fan-shaped tail, cut strip of burlap or felt and sew to sock cuff, pleating slightly. Be careful not to sew cuff together. Hide the rough cut edges with a band of felt. (Figure 2). Add fins and bright colored gills. Button eyes and a few accents of paint will provide realism. Add a cowboy hat (see page 31) and tie or stitch to head (Figure 3). To animate Phineas, slip two fingers above the mouth and two fingers under the mouth. Open and close scissors-fashion.

Remember to sew a tuck in the heels to make straight tubular socks. Puppets are made for either hand and stage directions can be reversed. Dye white socks if colored socks are not available.

CLEM CLAM

SLIT HERE
CUT ACROSS HERE

STITCH TO SOCK

Make Clem from a light colored sock. The head is shortened by cutting off the toe of the sock (Figure 1). For the mouth, cut a clam-shaped piece of pink felt and matching piece from stiff cardboard (Figure 2). Follow the basic instructions on page 39, stretching the sock to fit the shape of the mouth pieces. Sew on big, bright blue button eyes, add a short, colored felt beard under the chin and paint black, clam-like streaks on top of the head (Figure 3). Make a cowboy hat (see page 31) and stitch to head. Operate like the basic puppet.

SHERIFF SAM SPONGE

SEW SPONGE TO SOCK

Use light green socks and make the same way as the clown on page 40. Substitute two thin pieces of yellow cellulose sponge in place of felt mouth. Use separate pieces for the top and bottom because dry cellulose sponge is not very pliable (Figure 1). Embroider a mustache, long hair and sideburns in dark green yarn. Sew on big yellow button eyes. Add a cowboy hat (see page 31 for hats) with a silver star and stitch a bright bandana around the neck (Figure 2). Operate like the clown puppet.

OILY OLIVER OCTOPUS

A black sock is a must for this black hearted villain. Make the same way as the clown on page 40, only with a much smaller mouth. Cut two half-crescents from white felt, sew on head and add small button eyes (Figure 1). For tentacles, cut eight triangular pieces of material, about 6″ long and 2″ at the base. Sew the long sides together, stuff lightly and stitch to body with seams on the bottom (Figure 2). Make a stovepipe hat, following hat principles on page 31, and stitch to head at an angle (Figure 3). Operate like the clown puppet.

LOUIE THE LOBSTER

CUT HERE
SEW ON DOTTED LINE
CUT HERE
FIT CLAWS OVER “ARMS”

A devilish red sock suits this villain. Turn it inside out. Cut off the rib and the toe. Sew two 4″ seams, about 1″ apart (Figure 1). Cut out the material between the seams. Turn sock right side out. Cut off a piece of the toe, stuff lightly and sew between the “arms” for a head. Attach two 1″ lengths of red pipe cleaner to the top of the head for “eye stalks.” Add small bright buttons or beads to the tips. Use a long plastic thong for the feelers. Push the thong through the head (Figure 2). From stiff cardboard cut out two claws and paint red. Stuff about 1″ of the “arms” and sew the claws to the stuffed ends. Add four bent red pipe cleaners to each side of the body for legs (Figure 3). To operate, use forefinger and little finger to move the “arms.”

PENGUIN

CUT HERE
STUFF WELL
FORM A CHEST WITH FINGERS
STUFF WELL
SEW ON WINGS
SEW TO BODY

BODY: Use cut foot portion from white sock, or if you wish a larger penguin, take a tuck in the heel making a long tubular piece. Stuff toe lightly for head and heavier toward the opening which will be the base of the penguin. Sew opening closed. Tie off at the neck with a formal black bow-tie (Figure 1).

WINGS: From black material, felt or oilcloth, cut two pieces for each wing as shown. Seam, turn and insert a piece of cardboard the same size and shape. Sew on just below the neck (Figure 2).

FEET: Cut two webbed feet from black material and two from cardboard. Sew or glue one of each together and fasten to the base of the penguin (Figure 3).

FEATURES: Sew a tiny white button onto a small circle of black felt for each eye. Make a cone-shaped beak from yellow felt. Draw a line along each side to indicate the mouth and sew to the front of the head (Figure 4).

PENGUIN FAMILY: Make Mrs. Penguin slightly smaller, and Junior about two-thirds size. Mr. Penguin will, of course, wear a top hat (page 31) while Mrs. Penguin may have to be content with pattern design E-19. A colorful apron might mollify her feelings though. Junior can wear a top hat or, since he’s a bit young, a beanie.

DUCK

STUFF UNTIL PLUMP
GATHER & TIGHTEN BEFORE CLOSING
TURN ENDS DOWN
CUT TWO WINGS
SEW WINGS TO SIDES
SEW TO SOCK HERE
CUT TWO OF THESE

BODY: Use foot from light colored sock. Stuff plump and round. Sew up opening in the bottom. Tie off about one-third the way down for the head. Add a stiff-necked white collar with the tabs turned back around the neck (Figure 1).

WINGS: From stiff material of the same color, cut two wings as shown. Sew one to each side of the body with tip of the wings extending down and out at the bottom to form the tail (Figure 2).

FEET: Cut two webbed feet from cardboard and two from stiff material. Sew one of each together and fasten to the bottom of the duck (Figure 3).

FEATURES: Sew a round black button onto a large circle of white felt for each eye. Make the beak from two pieces of felt and sew to the front of the face (Figure 4).

OPTIONAL: If you want to make a sailor out of your duck, add a sailor hat perched at an angle on the top of his head and the regular sailor’s collar and neckerchief. To make the collar, use a rectangle of blue material, cut a deep arc from one corner to the other, then overlap corners at the front. Embroider or paint 3 white stripes along the three outside edges—add neckerchief. The hat is made from the ribbed end of a sock. Cut off the cuff, gather rough edge together tightly and turn back the other edge about 1″. If you prefer a stiff brim, insert a piece of cardboard around the inside of the turned back section.

DOUBLE DOLL

There are any number of combinations that you might like to try for your double doll, such as Peppy and Sleepy, Suzy and Sammy or a couple of clowns. We have chosen Happy and Dumpy.

BODY: Take a tuck in the heel of the sock so that you have a straight tubular sock. Cut off the cuff. Stuff plumply and firmly and sew opening closed. Tie off the middle to divide the sock into two dolls; then tie off the head about half way down from each end (Figure 1). Do not tie tightly or doll will be too wobbly.

FEATURES: The big differences in these two dolls are the features which are exactly the opposite. Both faces have the same type of nose made by pulling a piece of the face into a ball or lump and then tying off with yarn or thread. The eyebrows are embroidered in black yarn. Happy’s eyebrows are curved in a convex manner while Dumpy’s are concave. Use large bright buttons for eyes, centering them under the eyebrows. Embroider a few tears running from Dumpy’s eyes. Dumpy has a turned down mouth made of red felt while Happy’s mouth is turned up in a big grin. Cut the two mouths identically and merely reverse the points. A few frown lines can be embroidered with brown yarn on Dumpy’s forehead (Figure 2).

HAIR: Make the hair from pom poms, choosing a style from page 32. Happy and Dumpy can be either boys or girls or one of each. Make Happy’s hair from yellow or red pom poms; Dumpy’s from black or brown. Set Dumpy’s hair lower on the head to accentuate the frowning look. If one or both heads are boys, add ears of semicircular felt to the sides of the head.

ARMS AND LEGS: Actually these are one and the same. The legs of one doll serve as the arms of the other and vice-versa. Make them from a second sock. Cut out four rectangles about twice the length of the head. Sew the long edges together and across one end. Turn and stuff lightly. Sew to the shoulders so that they hang freely. When the doll is flipped over, one pair should flop to the sides for arms while the other pair hangs down for the legs (Figure 3). Tie ribbon around the wrist/ankles.

DRESS: Make a wide flaring skirt from a pattern design on page 29. For greater contrast sew two different colored pieces together so that when the doll is flipped over a different colored skirt will appear. Add blouses, bows, hats or any other bits that you think will make the dolls look cuter.

OWL PILLOW

BODY: Use foot of a large, dark sock. Stuff firmly, but flatten it as you do. Sew opening closed. With yarn, tie off the head about one-third of the way down.

FEATURES: Sew two white felt circles fairly close together and in the middle of each sew small yellow buttons for the eyes. Make a small cone-shaped beak from shiny oilcloth and sew on just below the eyes so that eyes and nose form a triangle. Accent this triangle by embroidering a “V” just above the eyes and nose (Figure 1).

EARS: Cut four pieces as shown from the rest of the sock. Sew two together for each ear, turn and stitch to top of head, pleating the front half slightly (Figure 2).

WINGS: Cut two wings from matching felt and sew one on each side of owl. Accent with lines of white for feathers (Figure 3). To finish the owl, embroider or paint wavy lines on the body between the two wings. Also embroider claws at the bottom, curving them as if clinging to a branch of a tree. Finally add a big red bow at the neck (Figure 4). If you prefer a stuffed doll, stuff it round and plump and then add felt feet at the bottom.

HUMPTY DUMPTY

BODY: Use cut foot portion from sock. Round open edges. Stuff firmly and sew opening closed. Push stuffing around until you have a nice egg shape.

FEATURES: For eyes, sew two small circles of black felt over two large half-circles of white felt. The black eye pieces can be placed in the center, to the sides or cross-eyed to get different effects. Add eyebrows of black felt or embroider them in black yarn. A few stitches in brown yarn will serve for a nose. Cut the mouth from red felt (Figure 1).

ARMS AND LEGS: Make two arms and legs from the second sock. Cut rectangular pieces, sew along the long sides and across one end. Turn and stuff. Sew the arms to the sides of the body and the legs to the bottom. The longer the arms and legs are, the cuter your doll will be. Tie yarn or ribbon around wrists and ankles.

HAIR: Make yarn pom poms (see page 32) and sew them to the top of the head.

DRESS: From the pattern designs on page 29, make a pair of pants and tack them on Humpty Dumpty. A colorful cap can be made from pattern designs on page 31. If you decide to make shoes (page 30) bend the legs for feet, stitching the tuck.

WEENIE DOLL

Make your Weenie Doll from a dark sock so that his features really show up.

BODY: Use cut foot portion from sock. Stuff firmly and sew opening closed. Tie off one-third the length for the head (Figure 1).

FEATURES: Cut two ovals of white felt and two smaller ones of black. Sew or glue the smaller ones to the larger and sew them on the face for the eyes. Embroider eyelashes and eyebrows in black. Make a circle of red felt with a stitch across the center for the mouth. Embroider a few lines in the center of the face for the nose (Figure 2).

EARS: Cut two petal-shaped ears. Roll outer edges, hem and sew to side of head at eye level (Figure 3).

ARMS AND FEET: Cut two arms from white felt and two from cardboard. Sew one of each together, making sure you have one for the right and one for the left side of the body. Stitch to body (Figure 4). Cut two feet from black felt and two from cardboard. Sew one of each together and fasten to the bottom of the doll. Add buckles or bow to the toes (Figure 5).

CAP: Cut about 3″ from the ribbing of the sock. Gather cut edge together tightly. Place cap on head, tying a band around the cap about 1″ down from the gathers and adding a pom pom at the top (Figure 6).

HOBBY HORSE

MOUTH: Cut an oval of cardboard 3″ × 4″ and insert it in the toe of the sock. Stitch the toe of the sock to the edges of the cardboard to give the mouth shape. Embroider brown ovals, just above the mouth for the nostrils. Stuff toe firmly down to the heel of the sock (Figure 1).

FEATURES: Make eyes from tear-drop shaped pieces of black felt with tiny brown buttons in the center. With paint add a highlight of white in the center of each eye. Cut two ears from brown felt or leatherette. Fold in half and sew to the top of the head. Add a mane made from fringe or loops of yarn. Start at the top of the head over the eyes, go between the ears and down the back of the horse (Figure 2).

RIDING STICK: Push a broomstick into the sock up to the heel. Pad well all around the broomstick down to the cuff of the sock (Figure 3). Tie off tightly. Add a halter made from leatherette or oilcloth, carrying the reins to the back of the horse’s neck. Add festive pom poms and jingle bells (Figure 4).

Transcriber’s Notes

—Silently corrected a few typos.

—Some instructions reference numbered figures which do not appear in the
printed edition.

—Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook
is public-domain in the country of publication.

—In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by
_underscores_.

End of Project Gutenberg's How to Make Sock Toys, by John M. Clapper