On this tutorial, I'll present you how one can darn socks shortly & simply on a stitching machine. Machine darning has a little or no stretch, not like another darning strategies, nevertheless it’s value doing because it’s quick and simple!
You possibly can darn your sock on a stitching machine with a free arm and/or with an embroidery hoop-attachment, or a makeshift embroidery hoop like I'll use on this tutorial. In case you are questioning.. makeshift what? Don't worry I'll clarify extra later… 😉
I've a pair of merino wool kneesocks, which I've owned for possibly 10 years now. They've lasted very well through the years however they begin to get worn out, certain you should purchase new socks, however I haven’t discovered any good alternative socks but. On high of that, they're sadly from a model that does not exist. 😢
As such I might love suggestions on good high quality merino wool socks – if you realize of any please depart a remark down under! However till I discover the right pair I'll be certain that to darn them so I can use them a bit longer.
At first, I actually needed to hand-darn the socks with embroidery floss in two matching blue shades however I discovered this methodology very tedious so I assumed possibly I ought to check out to machine darn them as an alternative.
The opposite pair of socks I'll restore is my husband’s favorite socks and he was fairly unhappy to find that they'd holes in them. I assumed I might darn them for him in order that he might hold sporting them a bit longer.
If you realize of any related trying socks on the market, ideally ethically and sustainably made, please let me know in a remark under!
Table of Contents
Need to be taught extra about darning?
- All about darning socks & knitwear + suggestions & methods!
- Make a easy weave (warp/weft) darn
- Swiss darning/Duplicate sew a Coronary heart patch
- Scotch darning tutorial
To machine darn socks you will want:
- Stitching machine with a free arm and/or embroidery hoop-attachment – In case your machine doesn't include an embroidery hoop attachment (mine didn’t) you can also make a makeshift embroidery hoop. I acquired this concept from Leah Day when she darned socks on her stitching machine on Youtube.
To make a make-shift embroidery hoop you will want a mason jar lid-ring and a pipe-fastener from the ironmongery store. Additionally, you will want a screwdriver to lock and loosen the pipe-fastener. - Good high quality threads – On this video I used polyester thread in each matching and contrasting colors, however you should utilize cotton thread too. I'm making an attempt to make use of up the odd color polyester threads that I've. Sock darning is an ideal means to make use of up these odd colors you may need if you need to make a visual mend.
- Common or Microtex stitching machine-needles
- Free movement quilting/darning presser foot
- Previous socks or scrap jersey cloth to chop patches from
- Cloth snips & cloth scissors to chop the patches and snip off threads with
- Tape measure to measure your patch with
Set your machine as much as darn!
Set your sew size to 0.0, if you wish to it's also possible to decrease the feed canine.
Connect the free movement quilting/darning presser foot, right needle in addition to ensuring to place in a completely winded bobbin into the machine.
I initially thought I used to be going to have the ability to darn these socks utilizing my make-shift embroidery hoop, however as you will want correct entry to the socks inside the ring it was laborious to darn the socks this fashion as they're knee socks that acquired in the best way. Subsequently I made a decision to make use of the ‘free arm darning methodology’ as an alternative.
Nonetheless, in case you are I'm darning one other pair of socks utilizing the makeshift embroidery hoop in a while on this tutorial.
Tips on how to machine darn utilizing the free arm-method
Pull the socks across the free arm, roll sock tops across the free arm till the half you need to darn is on high of the needle plate & feed canine.
Minimize socks or jersey materials into patches that may cowl the outlet or worn-out space. Place the patch over the outlet/worn-out space.
You possibly can sew each from the appropriate aspect in addition to the mistaken – on this pair of socks I'm stitching from the appropriate aspect, and on the different pair which I darn utilizing an embroidery hoop, I'm darning from the mistaken aspect.
Be certain that sew size is about to 0.Zero and begin transferring the socks in round motions like you might be scribbling on paper. Because the sew size is about to zero you will want to maneuver the socks to create stitches, in any other case, it's going to simply sew in the identical place.
Carry on stitching to cowl the patch and the outlet. Be certain that your stitches cowl the patch and the outlet/worn-out space to create a robust restore, however you do not want to sew overly densely for this.
To create an identical look to the half which I darned by hand I'm after awhile switching thread color to a different blue shade.
When doing this I'm pulling my sock off the free arm however I'm not taking it off fully as I need to nonetheless have the presser foot & needle connected, watch out that the needle doesn't seize the stitches of the socks. Then I'm changing the bobbin, pulling the socks again over the free arm after which exchange the over the thread.
Carry on stitching transferring the socks securing the patch in place. Don't worry if in case you have reduce a too large patch. You possibly can reduce off any extra cloth later.
Minimize off thread tails brief after which return and sew over that space a few instances.
Be certain that the open toe doesn't catch stitches and fringe of the patch. Safe the sting in place with zig zag motions.
Bonus tip: Tips on how to connect a toe patch
As I assumed it was going to be too laborious to drag the worn-out toe space into the machine I made a decision that the very best methodology can be to connect a patch to t. I've connected patches to socks earlier than – even when making a darn is mostly stronger & longer lasting.
To make my toe patch I did reduce a chunk of the black socks within the form of the worn-out toe space. Then I connected the patch utilizing operating stitches in black embroidery floss just like what I did within the Kantha-stitching tutorial.
I used to be working the stitches in a circle from the surface in, after which utilizing blue embroider floss I made a blanket sew across the edges to safe the patch in place additional in addition to creating an ornamental look.
Tips on how to machine darn utilizing the embroidery hoop-method
I've already repaired this pair right here with thread matching the stripes of the holes/worn-out space. I'll present you now how one can restore the outlet right here on the heel.
First I connected my embroidery hoop over the outlet of the sock by pulling the mason jar contained in the sock, and inserting the pipe fastner round it after which fasten it with a screwdriver.
Minimize socks/jersey patches and place over the outlet/worn-out space. On this pair of socks, I'm inserting it on the within of the sock and sew from the mistaken aspect. However as I discussed earlier you'll be able to sew from the appropriate aspect as nicely relying on the look that you simply need to create.
Push socks connected to the embroidery hoop underneath the stitching machine with the needle & presser foot eliminated. As soon as in place connect the darning presser foot and the needle.
Set sew size to 0.Zero and begin transferring the embroider hoop with the socks round in round motions. Carry on transferring the ring in circles like you might be scribbling on paper. Because the sew size is about to zero you will want to maneuver the socks to create stitches.
Be certain that to not sew too quick to keep away from creating bulging areas within the cloth. It's also possible to zig-zag backwards and forwards – I did each the circle motion and the zig-zag motion on these socks.
Be certain that to safe the sides with out the prongs of the darning foot getting caught.
You possibly can sew as a lot as you want however in order for you a softer really feel – I like to recommend you to not sew an excessive amount of – simply sufficient to safe the patch and the outlet.
Re-hoop if in case you have extra space to sew. I discovered that I had to do that a few instances because the needle bar in any other case would hit the ring.
How densely do you have to sew?
One of many worries I heard from you on Instagram have been for those who can really feel the stitches. Within the merino wool socks, I might solely really feel that the world was barely stiffer initially nevertheless it wasn’t uncomfortable quite only a bit firmer a part of my socks till I had worn them in a bit.
Additionally, I believe you would possibly be capable to really feel the restore extra for those who let the outlet grow to be too large so I counsel you to darn your socks as quickly as they begin to be worn out as an alternative of ready till a gap seems.
I actually hope you discovered this tutorial useful and that it's going to encourage you to machine darn your personal socks. If you don't neglect to tag me on Instagram @missmatti and use the hashtag #mendwithmatti in order that I can see the way it turned out!