Back in 1974 I had a project in Home Ec where I made a pair of sock monkeys… they weren’t your average sock monkeys… mine were special…
I should hope so, I’ve had them for 41 years now and wouldn’t dream of getting rid of them… They live in my cedar chest and aren’t quite like the day I made them, but they are still part of my past, so I keep them…
Let me introduce you to Bythie and Eberdean! How in the world did I ever come up with those names? A friend in high school actually had an aunt and uncle named Bythie and Eberdean!
Eberdean is showing quite a few “age spots” for his 41 years….
After all these years, they look like they still have “eyes” for each other!!
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Now for something a little more modern… Here is Elizabeth, (pretending to be Julie in the 70’s) with her sock monkey…
She has on a cute red and white houndstooth check jumper with a white knit top underneath.
It was fun looking at Bythie and Eberdean, but now that I’ve shown them I’ll put them back in the cedar chest… probably for another 41 years…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
That is a super Julie outfit and Elizabeth is a very convincing 60s girl.
How did the sari top come out? I’m waiting for pictures.
I know I can’t keep everything, but isn’t it nice to have a couple of early projects? I have a doll and wardrobe I made and one of those tiny black china dolls they used to give out at children’s parties long before political correctness made us think twice — I used to look for scraps of pretty fabric and make her dresses, pretending she was a baby princess.
HI Marilyn,
Thanks for the compliments on “Julie’s” jumper set. It was a favorite of mine for Julie’s era.
I’m still working on the Sari blouse… I have to have it done by Sunday, so you’ll see pics soon… I just picked up the lining fabric this morning… after my “root canal!” ICK!
Awww….how sweet your doll must be… were you a young girl when you received this doll? She must be very special to you…
Blessings, Jeanne
I love sock monkeys! …your vintage ones are adorable! Elizabeth is one lucky dolly!
Thanks MaryC,
I think there is something sort of timeless about sock monkeys… They are kind of universally recognized as something fun to have!
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Who doesn’t love sock monkeys??? Did you make Elizabeth’s also? I loved your old ones, what a treasure they are! It’s too bad they have to be stored away. If it were me, I would have them out where they can see and be seen for the next 41 years…otherwise..it’s everyone’s loss. Love you, Ms. Jeanne!!
HI Bobi,
No, I didn’t make the little sock monkey… I found it at a farm store here in town and bought several of them. Actually I think they were Christmas ornaments…
Maybe I’ll set Eberdean and Bythie in my sewing room somewhere instead of tucking them away in the cedar chest again…
Thanks Bobi,
Blessings to you, Jeanne
Your sock monkeys are so cute. I LOVE the eyelashes and I would put them out on display. I still have the hugging monkeys my grandparents gave to me for Christmas in 1974 when I was six. They are like the ones Julie has except mine are light tan and dark brown. I wasn’t creative with names back them so they are Mark and Cindy.
Elizabeth makes a great 1970’s girl. Her jumper is very stylish.
Thank you Laura,
I had to do something to separate Bythie and Eberdean from the status quo, so I added the eyelashes and the charm bracelet to Bythie’s neck. If I remember correctly, Eberdean used to have a bow tie… I don’t know what happened to it.
It doesn’t matter if it’s Mark and Cindy or Eberdean and Bythie…what matters is if you love them… and it sounds like you do…
Thanks for your sweet comments, Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
What great sock monkeys you made! Love the names and your individuality. It’s neat to see your old treasures. We all have them, don’t we?
Elizabeth did a great job visiting the 70’s. Love her checkered dress with white top. It’s so cute.
Did you have time to finish the boots or decide on how to make them after the various samples?
Have a great day!
HI Paula,
Thanks for the compliments on Elizabeth’s jumper and for thinking Bythie and Eberdean are sweet… Yes, we all have our little vintage favorites, don’t we?
I haven’t been able to get back to the boots yet… got to get this Sari top finished and this morning I had a root canal…UGH! Today I’m working on the blouse lining, so until I get this done, I can’t do dolly stuff… I guess I shouldn’t have starting showing the cowgirl set until I knew I could finish it… sorry….
Thanks Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne
I think it’s encouraging to see that no one can get everything done at once all the time — it’s not just me. It’s good to see that other people struggle a little now and then to finish their projects, but also to see that the projects do get done. And of course, new experiences make life richer after they make it more difficult. In the near future, one of your AGs may have a lovely silk sari because of what you’ve learned today.
Maybe we should also learn to take the day off after a root canal. I hope tomorrow it feels much better.
HI Marilyn,
You’re so right… I can’t do it all… but I can try…
Who knows… maybe one of my dolls will end up with a Sari one day.
A day off???? What’s that?
I’m sure I’ll feel better tomorrow… at least I don’t have to talk when I sew… so it shouldn’t hurt to sew…
Thanks Marilyn,
blessings, Jeanne
What darling sock monkey’s you made, Jeanne! I have bought every sock monkey everything for my grandson when he was born 3 years ago, so he has quite a collection now! Monkey’s and little boys just go together I think!
I love Elizabeth’s outfit too, so 70’s!! Those were years my children were small and I sewed for them all the time! I will say it was easy then, since there were a lot of non-fitted outfits, nothing like sewing in the 1800’s with those antique patterns you featured a few days ago! I guess I was born in the right time!
HI Linda,
I am with you… little boys and sock monkeys are perfect compliments to each other!!! I bet your grandson has quite a collection of them… how fun!
The 70’s were pretty easy years to sew in…there were peasant tops and long caftan dresses and tunics with wide legged pants, etc. It was much simpler than those fitted 1800’s things. I would love to give one of those old fashioned dresses a try though… maybe just “ONCE” would be enough…
Thanks Linda,
blessings, Jeanne
I love following you and your wonderful work. I still have my sock monkey that my grandmother made for me about 50+ years ago. It’s still very treasured. I have also made them through the years in various sizes for my dolls. This was an extra special post for me to read. Thank you.
HI EllenH,
Wow… I’d love to see a picture of your sock monkey that your grandmother made you. I bet it’s really sweet looking. Do you keep it out where you can see it or it is tucked away like I’ve had mine?
I’m glad you enjoyed today’s post…
Blessings, Jeanne
I have to confess I never liked Sock Monkeys…there….I said it out loud…but I have to admit if I had to have some I would want yours! I feel pretty safe though because they will be in your cedar chest till long after I’m gone ! ( Hope you are laughing)
The red and white jumper and top are So-o-o-o cute!
HI Kathie,
I knew there would be someone who didn’t like Sock Monkeys… like some people don’t like clowns…or Hello Kitty things…
Well, I’ve had several ladies who said to keep them out of the cedar chest now… so they might be sitting in my room now… I’ll make sure and hide them if you ever “come over!”
Thanks so much, Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne
Still have my sock monkey from the 50’s! I made my grandson a sock monkey dog a few years ago for his first birthday. He had a sock monkey birthday party. Lots of fun. Your two are really special. Very cute.
Thank you Joy,
I think Sock Monkeys are sort of universal… and it’s neat that your grandson has one specially made by his grandma… I hope he holds onto it forever…
Thanks for your compliments…
Blessings, Jeanne
Those are adorable. I just love sock monkeys. Our local senior citizens center ladies make them and sell them in December as a fund raiser. They all have little outfits on and some have hats or caps. The ladies also make baby quilts and lots of little household things like grocery bag holders. I donate my unused/unwanted fabric there as do some of my sewing friends.
HI Carolyn,
It’s neat that you and your friends donate your fabric scraps to go for sock monkeys and I’m sure, other things as well. I don’t think Sock Monkeys will ever go out of style…
Blessings, Jeanne