Monday, October 29, 2012

In The Halloween Spirit....


So Maddie did this Chattel inspired sock puppet for our Anniversary Auction, which ended up being sold to Persephone.  Also included were some instructions about how to make your own Chattel sock puppet, which I know you all want to do. In the spirit of the scariest time of the year, find them below:

Today, I'm going to teach you how to make your very own vintage Chattel doll that you can take right to bed with you.

To make this project, you'll need:
An adult's black sock
Something to stuff it with (I have a lot of yarn, so that's what I used. Make sure, though, that you stuff with a black material or you'll be able to see Chattel's guts through his body.)
Black yarn or string that can be used to tie the body parts
A needle and thread
Buttons, material, and other baubles to decorate your Chattel with

1. Stuff the sock leaving several empty inches at the top (the "leg" part). This is ultimately what you will make the ears from. Tie the stuffed area off tightly with black yarn.

3. Next, divide the stuffed section into two parts, about a third of the way down. The smaller portion will be your head. (Remember, the unstuffed section should be next to it and make your ears.)

4. Tightly tie off similar sections to make the legs. The easiest way to do this is to make a couple little legs about the size of golf balls by dividing the bottom of your stuffed section. (See the photo for a better idea of the right size.) Tie these off tightly with your black yarn. Then make two similar lumps on the side of the body for the front legs. This can be a little tricky, as your Chattel body is going to start getting tighter. You made need a friend to help you tie up Chattel's front legs. This is normal and should not be considered a failure to dominate your Chattel doll.

5. Once you have a body, a head, and legs, make a similar tied mass on the face for a snout. You are now ready to decorate! (Be sure before you begin that all your ties are tight and won't slip loose while you are manipulating the face.)

6. I sewed buttons on the doll in the photo to make two eyes and a nose. Different colors and sizes of buttons or beads will give Chattel completely different looks. Try to find a large, black, shiny piece for the nose, though. I also had a little pink circle I tucked up under the snout to represent Chattel's...access hole.

7. Now cut the unstuffed portion of the sock into six sections and braid into ears. Tie the braids off.

8. You can't see it in the photo, but I also made a black tail out of an extra piece of material and sewed it on the back of the doll.
9. Finally, I decorated Chattel with a chain collar and name tag. There he is! All ready to be cuddled! Or whatever....

Someone suggested we mail the Chattel doll around the world and take photos if his new owner, Perse, is game.  Try and explain that packaged to your family!

Oh and Chattel is a bit under the weather. Feel better Chamster and hurry back to your pit.

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