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Making Bow Socks: a build-along
Hillbilly:
My wife was making up a bunch of bow socks, thought we'd document it as a build-along for those of you who haven't tried making them. Bow socks are cheap, easy, and quick to make; and do a good job of protecting your hand-made weaponry.
First you need some material. I snagged this camo blanket from the bargain bin at WallyWorld for four bucks and change. At 72" x 90", it's big enough to make a pile of these things. Old blankets, fleece throws, etc. all work well and can be found cheap at yard sales, or stolen for free from your wife's closet. :) Fleece fabric can usually be found fairly cheap at fabric shops. As long as it's a few inches longer than your bow, you're in business.
Now cut out your piece the size you want it. She cut these about 72" long by 8" wide, seems to be a good all-around size. A static recurve might need a bit wider one, but these dimensions will work with most bows. Just mark the width from the edge in several places and connect the dots.
When you get it cut out, fold it in half, inside out, and pin it together to hold it in position while you're sewing it.
Hillbilly:
Next, if your material is something that wants to unravel after you cut it, run a small hem around the edges. Then sew up the bottom. Be sure to sew the bottom really well, as this is where most of the stress will be at when a bow is living in it. Tina is using a sewing machine here, but you can easily sew it up by hand-just a little slower.
Now start sewing up the side, working from the bottom up. You can sew right over the pins. Stop sewing about 3 1/2" or so from the top end.
If you want a drawstring, sew it in now. Just lay it along the top edge and sew a hem over it. Be careful not to sew the drawstring to the fabric-you want it to move freely inside the hem. You can also sew the drawstring in earlier before you pin the fabric up-whatever works best for you. This is a piece of latigo leather thong about two feet long-any kind of strong cord will work.. You can also use elastic cord with one of those little push-button plastic hooeys.
Coo-wah-chobee:
....Very nice indeed .....bob
Hillbilly:
Turn the sock back right-side-out. Remove the pins first. If you don't you'll be sorry when you reach in there to turn it.Don't ask me how I know this. ::) Tina is using wooden beads for drawstring cinches-you want the hole in the bead to fit tightly over the thongs so it will stay cinched up. Tie a knot so that the bead can't come off, but leaving enough room to allow the end of the sock to open completely. You can get all fancy and add smaller beads to the ends of the thongs for decoration, or just leave it all plain and boring-looking.
If you're making several at one time, it's quicker to go through the process assembly-line style- cut out several and take them all through each step before moving on to the next one. Here's a few of the finished products:
Hillbilly:
Thankee, Bob.
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