Socks are great for warming your feet, but they can be very slippery at times, especially when walking on wood or ceramic floors. Even if you can buy ready-made non-slip socks, you may not get the color and pattern you want. Luckily, making your own non-slip socks is very easy. You can even apply some of the techniques below to homemade socks and sandals!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Applying Paint Putty to Ordinary Socks
Step 1. Mark your feet on a piece of cardboard
You'll be attaching a cardboard sole to your sock to make it conform to the shape of your foot. If you don't, the paint may crack when you put on the socks. You can also use flip flops as long as they fit snugly on your feet.
- This method is suitable for store-bought socks, but is not recommended for knit socks or knit socks because the fibers are too thick.
- Spread your legs apart while marking them on the cardboard to get 2 different leg shapes.
Step 2. Cut the marked cardboard and tuck it into the sock
Make sure the seam on the toe stretches along the marked portion of the cardboard. The top of the sock should be visible on one side of the cardboard, while the bottom (sole) should be on the other side.
Step 3. Use putty paint to draw dots or lines on the solid colored sock
Turn the sock so that the bottom (sole) is facing you. Take a bottle of paint putty and open the lid. Use the nozzles to make simple dots or lines on the bottom (sole) of each sock. Draw dots or lines at a distance of 1, 3 to 2, 5 from each other.
- Make sure to coat the sole evenly. You can match the putty paint with the socks or wear a contrasting color.
- Arrange the dots in a grid-shaped pattern instead of randomly making them. Draw a horizontal line; can be straight or curved.
- You are free to choose to use dots or lines. The difference is only limited to personal aesthetic taste.
- Skip this step if your socks are patterned or you want something more striking.
Step 4. Draw on a solid color sock if you want something more striking
Use a marker to draw a simple design on the bottom of a sock, such as a Christmas tree. Make the size slightly smaller than the length and width of your sock. Mark the shape with putty paint, then fill it with more putty paint. Let it dry, then add other details.
- For example, if you're drawing a Christmas tree, add brown ornaments, red ornaments, and yellow wreaths.
- You can make combinations of smaller images, such as 3 hearts or tiny snowflakes.
- If you can't draw, use a stencil or cookie cutter – this method only works if the object is about the same size as a sock.
- Don't do this if you've already made dots or lines. Just choose one.
Step 5. Follow the pattern already on the sock, if any
Not all socks are solid colors. Some socks have striking patterns, such as polka dots, bold stripes, hearts, or stars. If so, you should continue patterning with the putty paint – but don't fill in the color!
- You can match the color with the sock pattern or wear a different color. For example, you could create a blue star pattern with a glow-in-the-dark yellow putty paint.
- If your sock has thin stripes, draw each one – or draw one at a time.
- If your socks have small dots, you can make dots on them. However, if the dot is bigger than a green pea, you just need to outline it.
Step 6. Let the sock dry for 24 hours, then remove the carton
Putty paint is fun to work with, but takes a long time to dry. The duration for drying is between a few hours to a day. Once the putty paint has dried, you can remove the cardboard contents.
- Dried putty paint will turn slightly flat and darker in color.
- You can try speeding up the drying process with a hairdryer.
- The paint putty will stretch slightly once it dries, but the trim may still crack if you stretch the sock too far.
Step 7. Wait 72 hours before washing socks
Once the putty paint has dried, you can treat the socks like regular socks. However, you still need to wait up to 72 hours before washing it. When washing socks, turn them inside out first.
For best results, use the cold water setting. Avoid using a tumble dryer, as this can cause the putty paint to crack and peel
Method 2 of 3: Making Leather Socks for Handmade Socks
Step 1. Prepare a pair of finished knit socks or sandals
This method works great for knitted sandals, but it can also be applied to crochet socks as well. You can also try it on knit socks or knit sandals.
- If you're making your own socks, prepare the sewing thread you used earlier; You will need to use the thread later to attach the sole.
- If you don't make your own socks or don't have any sewing thread left, you'll need to purchase more thread of the same color and thickness.
Step 2. Print your feet on a piece of paper to serve as a template
You can use a flip flop, but it has to be the right size for your feet. If you're making them for a pair of knit sandals with a defined sole, you'll only need to follow the groove of one of the soles.
You just need to follow the shape of one of the legs. You will use the same shape to make 2 identical leather soles
Step 3. Cut the template, then use it to cut 2 soles from the wool fabric
Cut the template first, then glue it onto a 3 millimeter thick woolen fabric. Mark the template with a marker, then cut it out. Repeat this step to make the second sole.
- Cut the inside of the marker marker; otherwise, the sole will be too thick.
- Don't use the thin, handcrafted fabrics usually sold in children's craft stores. This fabric is too flimsy.
- You can use the same color as the socks or use a contrasting color. However, avoid using white because it gets dirty easily.
Step 4. Spread a piece of tape over the sole
Spread out the leather sole so you have a left and right sole. Spread a piece of tape over each sole to make a horizontal cut. This piece should be the same width as the tape – about 2.5 cm.
As a variation, spread out pieces of tape at slightly diagonal corners
Step 5. Paint the exposed fabric with 4 coats of dimensional fabric paint
Drizzle dimensional cloth paint onto a container, such as a plastic plate or plastic container lid. Use a foam brush to apply paint to the fabric between the pieces of tape. Allow each coat of paint to dry for a few minutes before applying the paint again. Allow the paint to dry completely before continuing with the process.
- The paint used can match or contrast the fabric.
- You need 4 coats of paint. Less than that, the socks will feel less abrasive.
- Dimensional fabric paint takes a long time to dry. The drying time can take up to 24 hours.
- Do not apply paint directly from the bottle; the texture must be too chewy. You have to make sure the paint soaks into the fabric.
Step 6. Remove the tape, then make holes in the edges of each sole
Make sure the holes are about 0.32 cm from the outer edges and about 1.3 cm from each other. Mark this area with a pen first, then make a hole with the leather punch.
- Make sure you remove the tape before starting to drill holes.
- These holes will make it easier for you to sew the sole.
Step 7. Sew the sole to the sock with a needle and sewing thread
Glue the sole to the bottom of each sock with a pin first. Thread the sewing needle along with the thread, then sew the sole to the sock. Remove the pin when you're done.
- You can match the color of the sewing thread with the socks, fabric, or paint you're using.
- Be sure to sew from top to bottom along the hole you made, just like making a straight stitch. Do not thread the thread around the edge of the sole, as in the whipstitch technique.
- Sew around the sole twice to fill all the space between the holes. You can also use the backstitch technique as an alternative.
Method 3 of 3: Trying Other Materials
Step 1. Make lines or dots with hot glue if you are in a hurry
Make cardboard stuffing for socks, just like the stuff you would make for putty-painted soles. Spray hot glue in a line to the bottom of the sock or make dots instead. Wait a few minutes for the glue to dry, then remove the cardboard that was inside.
- Hot glue that dries will feel stiff. So, this method works better on thick socks. If you are wearing thin socks, make dots/thin stripes with hot glue.
- Draw a horizontal line from one end to the other. This line can be straight or wavy. If you're creating dots, arrange them so they look like a grid.
- Do not coat the bottom of the sock with a solid layer of hot glue. Your socks won't be comfortable for walking at all.
Step 2. Sew a suede loop to the heel and toe if you have time
Make 1 circular cut and 1 oval cut out of suede. Use a hole punch in the leather to make holes in the edges of the cut, about 1 inch (3 cm) on the sides. Use a sewing needle to sew the loop to the heel of the sock, then attach the oval to where the toe is. Repeat this step for the other sock.
- This method works great for knitwear, socks, and knit sandals, but you can try it for store-bought socks if you have to.
- Use the same yarn you used to make the socks. If you are using a thick thread, choose a lighter thread of the same color instead.
- You can do the same thing to sew the inside of the sock. Do not use faux leather or suede as they are too slippery.
Step 3. Use a silicone sealant if you want to make the socks waterproof
Make a cardboard inside for a sock, the same way an inside would be made for a putty-painted sole. Adhere a piece of silicone sealant to the bottom of both socks. Use your hands or craft wood to spread the product into a thin, even layer. Wait 24 hours before removing the carton and putting on socks.
- This method will make the sock stiff. This method is recommended for handmade socks or sandals instead of the flimsy products sold in stores.
- If you use your hands, it's best to wear vinyl gloves.
- Silicone seals are sold in white and clear.
- You can also use a carpet brush or rubber compound (such as the Plasti-Dip brand).
Step 4. Done
Tips
- Putty paint is often sold as "puff paint" or "dimensional fabric paint."
- You can find paint putty at craft and fabric stores along with other fabric paints and dyes.
