Sock It To ME: a community public art project to raise awareness and funds.

[Dreambirdie]

mail runs 3-5 days from here to lower and vice versa. i do have basic sewing skills and have friends to help. once we know the catalouging steps i have help with that too.

GREAT! Thank you, Puppy_almighty. (Love that name!)

We are one step closer ever still.

 

[creekfeet]

Wonderful! Puppy_almighty, that's great, and as long as you have a few helpers to delegate to, maybe you won't burn out. We need you! And we are so lucky to have you.

Sorry, all, if I was a bit overwhelmed today. It was a flaring sort of day.

 

[jace]

I don't know that velcro is any easier than buttons, and also has the same problem that it needs to be the right bit on the right end. I think now the most practical way is for assemblers to staple/rivet/sew the individual contributions together.

Here are the instructions to make a panel of the AID's quilt. http://www.aidsquilt.org/makeapanel.htm check it out. We can learn from this.

I really like the idea of people being able to see the name, the story as far as folk want it revealed, of each individual MEsock. It should be possible for observers to 'get the message' about the sufferer behind each sock, without having to look inside or behind anything. The message should be part of the visual display. The tapes would do that. Embroidered, painted, Pentel'd, personalised. Pretty, maybe. Revealing, hopefully.

My idea is for each individual sock to come pre-attached to a tape which also provides a display space by and about the contributor.

as far as attaching the socks to the garland what's wrong with just a few stitches with an upholstery/sail needle and some upholstery thread directly to the line? Simple and stable. If a loop is likewise fashioned at the end of each line and the raw edges taped each garland could be simply attached to the next with a carbiner and every bit as simply unattached.

talkingfox is thinkiing along different lines.

A blending of the two struck me: We use a continuous line of polypropelene webbing, cheap, strong and easily sewn, and attach top edge of each rectangle of words, with it's sock dangling below, simply with a line of stitching. This stitching could be done by machine or hand, machine being quicker and stronger. Best of both worlds. At the end of each length of webbing, simply sew a loop for attaching as and where you will. The cut ends of polyprop are simple to seal by melting with a small flame.

1" Polyprop web, over here in UK, and wholesale, is maybe $14 per 55 yard reel, that is converted to dollars and with UK tax. My suppliers would ship to the States, but a friendly local upholsterer or covermaker/sailmaker will source cheaper for you.

We need to reach agreement on this. If I'm doing the "how to" page, I need my brief clarified. I'm happy for creek to have the casting vote..

What do you say?

Teej, I'm coming back, but need to be careful today. It was just a specialist appointment, and she took notes about my information rather than the other way around (and she wouldn't give me a Naltrexone script ) but it was a two hour wait in the crowded waiting room, and no safe floor to lay my head down, that was what has done me down again.

 

[creekfeet]

(((jace))) Drat that appointment. It's always so hard to decide whether to even go to the doctor, when the appointments take so much out of us. I hope a lot of good will come from this one. Sounds promising, if she listened and took notes.

On the sockmaking-and-attaching instructions, I don't think mine should be the deciding vote since I'm not strong in textiles and since my brain is having trouble wrapping around these ideas.

I read the instructions on the AIDS quilt site when we first began this adventure, and love how friendly and easy they make it. I just went and looked again, and re-read the options you gathered into your post. Thanks for that btw.

What I'm not getting is: is one option we're considering, asking each sock-sender to attach their sock to a tape, so that garlands are then made out of many tapes (one for each sock)? I can see how that could work, though it's not the way I had visualized it. I thought there would be long sections of tape, say at least three to four meters across so they're a good length for marching with on poles as well as for hanging against walls or between lamp posts or whatever.

The advantage of each sock being attached to its own tape would be that the sock-sender would write their own info in their own words on that short tape, and if they followed instructions well then what we received from sock-makers would be very standard and easy to assemble into longer lengths.

The disadvantages would be that it's asking more of each individual sock-sender, some variation in tapes might result compromising both the looks and the strength of the longer garlands, the very fact of each long garland being made up of many short tapes would have less integrity than one long tape with many socks attached, and some sock-senders might have bad penmanship or try to squeeze too much info onto the tape.

I don't know, we want to welcome individuality but have all contributions easily blended into the whole. We can see that one of the things the Quilt does well is to balance both. An AIDS quilt panel can be any design or theme and incorporate a wide range of materials, but it must not include anything very bulky, and it must hem up to 90 cm x 180 cm. People's own approaches to putting their info on their tapes might be part of the charm and individuality, but I fear that making a sock AND a tape will seem like too much to people (like me) who are just gearing up for a sock.

I know I might be way off on this (cognitive functions challenged this week) and maybe there was never a concept of one tape per sock. But if there was, that's my take on it. I'm for many socks attached to one tape.

I was seeing the info with each sock (whether on a tag or tape or only in a database) as being brief: maybe name, date of onset, optionally age at onset and location. The info to be included on Quilt panels is: "Include the name of the person you are remembering. Feel free to include additional information such as the dates of birth and death, hometown, special talents, etc." 3' x 6' (90 cm x 180 cm) is a whole lot more space available. A quilt panel could conceivably include a life story. But this is visual art primarily, so the socks themselves should speak volumes. Footsized volumes. (Another little wordplay that comes to mind with this is "walk a mile in my shoes." Maybe for us it's "rest a moment in my socks.") In many display situations it might be impossible to get so close as to read tapes, although I hope most will allow up-close intimacy.

So the way I saw it is, they send in just a sock, the receiver briefly catalogs it, attaches it with others to a long tape, and writes brief info alongside each on the tape. Each long tape has the attachment thing we decide on: loop on one end and button on the other sounds easy and strong enough but if each end has a loop AND a button that makes more versatility and helps attach to poles?

I wish I had the textiles brain to just jump in here and say "I understand all the options and this one looks best." Talkingfox, our founding inspiration-getter, is way more savvy in this and has fabric construction experience beyond my ken. I think between her, and Jace and Puppy who will be making the UK and US prototypes, there may lie the final decision.

 

[Dreambirdie]

Suggesting A Cardboard Footie

The only thing I want to add to the sock construction instruction info is that maybe each sock maker should insert a cardboard "footie" (a piece of cardboard in the shape of their sock) inside his/her sock, in order to help it maintain its shape. Otherwise, depending on what they are made of, the socks could get a bit shapeless. Stiffer fabric socks wouldn't have that problem, but ones that are knitted might just get tubey looking....

So, just a thought to add.

 

[jace]

dreambirdie, I love it. I was thinking along similar lines yesterday, when I briefly looked at the keyring post. The card might get soggy if it rains, though - do you think this is a problem? The card could be a bit taller than the sock, to provide a name space.... I'm trying to keep the thing looking more like a garland, and less like a laundry-line...

talkingfox, what do you think about using the cheap webbing? And the card?

Back to :In bed: for me...

 

[jspotila]

I was seeing the info with each sock (whether on a tag or tape or only in a database) as being brief: maybe name, date of onset, optionally age at onset and location. The info to be included on Quilt panels is: "Include the name of the person you are remembering. Feel free to include additional information such as the dates of birth and death, hometown, special talents, etc." 3' x 6' (90 cm x 180 cm) is a whole lot more space available. A quilt panel could conceivably include a life story. But this is visual art primarily, so the socks themselves should speak volumes. Footsized volumes. (Another little wordplay that comes to mind with this is "walk a mile in my shoes." Maybe for us it's "rest a moment in my socks.") In many display situations it might be impossible to get so close as to read tapes, although I hope most will allow up-close intimacy.

So the way I saw it is, they send in just a sock, the receiver briefly catalogs it, attaches it with others to a long tape, and writes brief info alongside each on the tape. Each long tape has the attachment thing we decide on: loop on one end and button on the other sounds easy and strong enough but if each end has a loop AND a button that makes more versatility and helps attach to poles?

OK. I'm a knitter, quilter and amateur seamstress. I don't have the energy to read this whole thread, so I apologize if my question was answered pages ago: Does it have to be socks? Apart from the word play (which is great), what's the connection between socks and CFS?

creekfeet has identified some of the challenges with assembling the socks. It's also important to think about wear and tear on the display. As items are shipped around and used, they really take a beating. The join between a sock and the tape (or whatever) will be really stressed, and be the first part to break down. The suggestion of an insert to help the sock keep its shape is great, and there are plastic and wire sock blockers that could work, but that will add to weight - and stress the join even more. If you are committed to using socks, then you'll have to work through some of these logistical problems. I'm happy to add my amateur textile knowledge to the mix if it is helpful.

You are very right to want these details sorted out before you go more public with the project. The AIDS Quilt and the knitted river I linked earlier are simple, personalized (especially the quilt), and VERY easy to make, assemble and display. I think creekfeet pointed out that if people come to your website, and there are no clear easy super-simple instructions - you might lose them.

 

[jace]

We're kind of on the sock road now. A fair few people thought it was a good idea. It would be a shame to question all that work at this point. It's original, decorative, practical. And it has a sense of humor.

​

For 15 years I made our living mostly sewing sails and boat covers (plus a couple of contracts for a fleet of road mending vehicles and an advertising banner or thousand) and was also area secretary for a big political group in the early 80's, producing a regular newsletter and the artwork for the occasional poster and leaflets.

When have worked out the specification, I will produce making instructions and the form to send in with your sock. I will send it in PDF form, or as instructed. I'm no geek, but I have a daughter that earns her living that way - she can convert to whatever.

I understand the forces of nature on fabrics, and I agree with you only if the socks are very loosely knitted. Even then, sewn on by machine (by assemblers) they will keep in place, unless stones or something of that weight are put in the toes.

I really hope talkingfox likes the idea of using webbing.

I really like the insert idea, but I don't know if the cardboard insert is the best. I'd like people's opinion on that.

Welcome aboard, jspotila,


:sofa: Jace x

 

[creekfeet]

Great suggestions, all, and the knitted river sounds very cool jspotila! Good points, and if you want more clarification on why socks, I think that was pretty much covered in post 1, page 1. And yes, definitely welcome aboard. I am sooo grateful for all the people with the textile experience. Bless your booties.

Webbing sounds lightweight and strong. Good!

Could plastic inserts be made lightweight enough? Could cheap plastic sheets be obtained and easily snipped to custom size inserts for the various sizes and shapes of socks received? Does this add too much work for assemblers?

I'm going through the thread and gathering all the sock slogans and puns soon.

 

[talkingfox]

yeah I'm down with the webbing idea. easy attachment and strong. as far as cards, well that's a rough one to call. not all socks will need them, some will be non traditional socks, some won't. How about that's the call in assembly? IE does this sock NEED a way for clearer info reading/shaping?

I'm planning on doing an xmas style sock with a larger front face to it, so the card would be just more weight and unneeded.

 

[jspotila]

We're kind of on the sock road now. A fair few people thought it was a good idea. It would be a shame to question all that work at this point. It's original, decorative, practical. And it has a sense of humor.

I didn't mean to question or revisit everyone's work; just tossing out some logistical issues.

 

[talkingfox]

ok I had an idea as far as the sock garlands...will make for a wee bit more uniformity of garland, easier attachments and better personalization space. How about regulated sizes of xmas stocking type shapes? One size for adults, one for adolescents and one for kids under the age of 14.

the advantages are you'd get a nice large flat front face for decoration/personalization, an easy to 'read' cohort age thing and easy to attach/store. it could also very well alleviate the need for having card insets for many. A person could make them out of whatever materials they wished with weight restrictions. I mean these are symbolic socks...they don't have to be actual functional socks (any more than the AIDS quilt blocks are actual functional quilt blocks) rather more a sock shaped personal platform.

It would also lose the 'laundry line' look that jace was worried about.

I think it could streamline the logistics issues quite a lot...and it would make making sock blanks for those who cannot do for themselves MUCH easier...it's a one seam wonder. Also, if premade blanks are done in a sturdy cheap fabric like a medium/heavy cotton duck or twill it'll take just about any sort of think a person wants to do to it ie dye, embroidery, bedazzling, whatever. Of course knitting and felting, quilting, faux fur,mylar...whatever a person could thing of far as materials (barring bronze perhaps :Retro wink will add huge visual variation with out SO much that it makes the thing difficult to look at.

AND if we have a preset size, stiffeners for da socks that need it can be premade and left to the discretion of assemblers as to what will hang correctly and what will need some help to do so.

Pupster pointed out a thing to me a couple of days ago : we need to work smarter, not harder. Too many variables as far as size etc. makes it harder IMO.

Really REALLY into the webbing idea Jace. Lightweight, sturdy and easily handled and stored How were you seeing the ends done? sewn loops or perhaps sinking a grommet? We need to be able to attach these to poles and each other

 

[creekfeet]

Ah, Talkingfox, yes! I can see that working beautifully. Although my first reaction to "Laundry Line" was to find that sort of wildness somewhat charming, it really is unmanageable. Christmas-stocking style socks would indeed be way easier to display well, easier to use Dreambirdie's footie insert idea in---with the jspotila refinement of weatherproof plastic instead of cardboard. Two or three standard sizes would indeed show any viewer at a glance the numbers of children and adults. Now who was it with the wonderful unraveling sock she planned to send in? Anyhow, that could perhaps be incorporated into the standard-shaped sock, and thereby better preserved. Wear and tear on these garlands could be intense as they get shipped around. So yes, I'm thinking your idea allows standardizing but at the same time a huge range of personalizing.

Oh, speaking of weatherproofing: we probably want to keep the socks out of the rain as much as we can----I'm thinking of what a sodden mess they could become---but perhaps we should caution people sending in socks that the possibility exists that they may get wet so to try to make them as weatherproof, dyefast and all as they can.

Work smarter, not harder, sounds good. Smarter can mean waiting til tomorrow when the brain cells kick in again but in the long run I'm sure that's for the best, eh?

 

[talkingfox]

OH and I need to add an organizational thing here.

I'm really loving the enthusiasm and willingness of everyone to help out! If you are inclined to help out in the project in ANY WAY (including letter writing, lapel sock knitting, contacting press, etcetcetc) it's really important right now that it be run through our volunteer coordinator so we can get things out there in the most timely and efficient manner!

Just send an e-mail of your idea/skill/willingness energy to sockit2mEcfs@ gmail.com and put VOLUNTEER in the subject line. That'll give our Almighty Puppy a heads up and help keep him organized as to who is doing what when.

 

[creekfeet]

Good pup! A service dog, for sure. Knowing how often I forget whether or not I've done a thing myself, it's going to be glorious to have a guide dog keeping track.

 

[Jessrose21]

Once the idea is finalized and I know what type/size of sock to send in and where to send it, count me in! I already have ideas on how I'm going to personalize my sock.

I think the sock sender should be responsible for listing any information about him/herself on the sock. Otherwise it seems like it might get too overwhelming for the organizer(s). OTOH, I'm not sure how that would be done in a uniform way.

One of the TV news anchors where I live had CFS as a young adult, so I think she would be interested in giving this press. When the time is right, I'll send her an email.

Dreambirdie: I love the Put A Sock in It slogan for GET/CBT! **snicker!**

 

[jace]

We could ask Wessley and Reeves to put a sock in it too :victory:

I think the sock sender should be responsible for listing any information about him/herself on the sock. Otherwise it seems like it might get too overwhelming for the organizer(s). OTOH, I'm not sure how that would be done in a uniform way.

I still like the idea of each sock being attached by the maker to an 18" x 2" banner (finished size), made of calico or denim or leather or strong plastic, which the sock maker can use to tell each story.

That strip can then be sewn to the webbing by assemblers, and I suggest by machine - a domestic running V30 thread, bought from the same place as the web - which could also back up the sock attachment if necessary. Assembly like this would be quick and strong.

I think the banners would add impact to the whole, a sock is quite a small area without it, and the size can be specified simply on the "how to" page. The socks themselves should be between 15" long, top to heel, and 10" wide, heel to toe, or a little bigger??? Any size smaller is also OK. Tiny socks could be sent in pairs. We could have standard blanks to purchase, but I feel it is a mistake to make the garland too uniform. The variety of contributions will show our plight better. Otherwise it could look too 'manufactured'

Inserts can be sheet plastic - 3mm or 1/8" can be cut with (good) scissors - or cardboard. They will not be necessary for every sock

If our garlands get soaked, we would have to hang them up to dry before packing, cardboard inserts might get soggy, and need replacing. Rain wouldn't do the AID's quilt much good either, and rain is, I think, just a risk we have to run. It wouldn't be the end of the world.

The end of each tape section should have a loop sewn into it. Sections can be joined by passing a thin line through each of the two loops in turn, several times, to provide what we sailors call a tackle. This system makes it possible to draw sections taut. The thin line can also be used to attach to poles, lampposts etc.

If people agree with this, then I'm getting close to making the how to page. Can I be put in touch with the website builder please?

I'm coming back slowly (pace it Jace) :sofa: xx

 

[jace]

Oh, and I want to apologise to jspotila if i was a bit harsh in my recent post
It's been a difficult week...:Retro redface:​

 

[talkingfox]

jace could you e-mail me what you have? I have several friends in museum level textile and public art installation and I'd like to run the entirety of what we have so far by them since they've got so much experience.

Oh and anything that needs to go to the web guy can be sent to me as well, since I live with him and all

 

[creekfeet]

It's so exciting. We are getting so close!

Jessrose, that's great about your TV contact. Please stand by!

Pace, Jace!
Rock our socks, Talkingfox!
Speak sweet, creekfeet.
Um... Seem Nerdy, Dreambirdie? To my teens that would be a compliment.

Okay, yeah. Looks like my coffee is kicking in. Enough with the rhymes...

Tfox yeah, running it all by some experts sounds grand Talkingfox. I was thinking we would have a lot of trial and error ahead of us as we experience packing, shipping, displaying in various environments. If we can save ourselves some heartache by drawing on their expertise, that's a relief.

Jace, that sailor's tackle system of joining sections and drawing them taut sounds so perfect I could weep for joy. I'm still not entirely comfy though with giving the sock-makers the extra step of creating and attaching socks to banners because for one thing an extra step could kill some peoples' feeling of being able to participate. I for one am an awful seamstress and if someone tells me there is one more hem I must sew, I ball it all up in frustration and into the back of the closet it goes.

The uniformity vs individual thing, I guess we'll find a balance where it doesn't look laundry line like but it's also not cookie cutters.

Got to get myself ready to go to town. Wish me luck! I'll be back a bit raggedy in 8 hours or so.