Hooray for stockings!
Stockings are awesome, and if you disagree.. well, I respect your right to do so, but you're just plum wrong. And they're especially awesome on MH dolls, whose lovely long legs can't help but look grand.
So, without further ado, here's how to do it!
Materials:
- one unwanted shirt - T-shirts and other stretchy knit fabrics work best.
- pen, pencil, knitting needle, etc. for easily inverting the hem
- (if sewing toes closed) scissors, needle and thread
* If you want, you can use actual nylon fabric from a pair of pantyhose. This requires a bit more sewing (and careful sewing at that) but it can be done!
Step 1:
Cut off the hem of the shirt in one long strip, being careful not to cut into the hem or cut it open. (It's not the end of the world if you do!)
Step 2:
Decide how long you'd like the stockings to be by holding the hem up against your MH doll's leg. Thigh-high is the standard, but they can also hit mid-thigh or just above the knee. Mark the length of hem at the start and end point of each stocking, from toe to leg, so you know where to cut. Alternately, cut off a length of hem, measure it against your doll's legs, fold it over itself so the length is doubled, and cut through both layers. Two pieces at once!
Step 3:
Cut the hem at the points you've marked.
If you've chosen not to sew the toe closed, just turn 'em inside out and you're done! Pop 'em on your doll and enjoy.
Step 4:
Sew one end of the hem closed with small stitches. Use the pencil or knitting needle or what-have-you to turn the segment of hem inside out. Pulling it over the doll's leg will stretch the fabric, but it should hold tightly without any supports, and when you remove them they'll be easier to put back on.
Extra Ideas:
- Prefer legwarmers to stockings? Just cut 'em short, stretch the fabric between your hands a bit, and fit them over your doll's calves. Ta da! Classic '80s scrunched legwarmers!
- It's possible to make a garter belt for your stockings, but it involves a bit of tiny-scale sewing, and it will add bulk under clothing. Perhaps I'll do a tutorial on that in the future.
- If you're using these in an outfit, try matching the color of the sleeves or jacket.
Can my Monster High doll wear these stockings under their clothes?
Sure! They can really pull an outfit together. Because they fit so snugly, they can be worn not only under dresses and skirts but also jeans, shorts, and pants. Depending on the thickness of the material used, you might have trouble getting your MH doll's shoes over the feet of the stockings. If this happens, do what you would with your own stockings: pull the slack parts tight to stretch it taut, put the shoe on, and straighten the stocking.
Next up: Hats and dresses.. made from socks, with almost no sewing at all!
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