Sock dresses and the anger they seem to generate.

Wow.... sixteen pages later, and people are still working themselves up & waving the scarlet E, just because other people don't like to look at a certain thing? Please try to remember that indulging in Injury-Mongering will send you straight to the Fifth Circle. You know how when a baby falls down & sits there looking stunned, if you zoom in fast enough and say "You're OK, you're fine", it realizes that it's not really injured at all, and it forgets to start screaming? We needed that on like page 2.

Lower Eighth Circle.

 

For the nth time... clothes constructed from sock material isn't something anyone takes issue with and isn't what comes to mind when someone says 'sock dress' for most, we all know it's possible to make some very nice clothes with it as it's a fabric that's in scale and all that jazz. It's when someone takes a sock, cuts the toe off, maybe puts two slits in it for arm holes then calls it a finished dress that many people aren't keen on, find unappealing or what have you. =/

 

LOL, that graphic is fabulous

 

I agree!! Epic hilarity!! XD

 

This is getting ridiculous. It's very simple. If you make something using socks for fabric, that's great. No one has a problem with that. If you cut the toe off a sock (especially a used one) and stick it on your doll, fraying edges and all, and call it a dress, some people are going to see it and think "Wow, pretty doll, but a sock! How unfortunate!" and probably will back out without leaving a comment - in the GALLERY. In the box openings area no one cares, the dolls are all new and it's expected they may not have clothes yet.

It has nothing to do with socks, and everything to do with care and effort. I know money gets tight, but I find it hard to believe someone who can save for a $200++++ doll can't come up with 5 minutes to stitch down the raw edge of the sock they just cut into a tube dress. (Or a few dollars for a cute new sock instead of a dingy one, or for that matter even some cheap toystore or thrift store doll clothes - I've got at least one really cute dress that was $1.)

But more importantly, if someone does choose to have their dolls permanently wearing only fraying old socks... I don't care. It's not my business. I may privately wonder why, but I'm not going to say anything. If it looks like they don't care, then I don't care either. If I can't find something else to comment nicely on, I'll just back out without commenting at all. If they have a reason that the characters dress like that, then cool, that does indicate a little thought was put into the doll and the photos - and I appreciate when people put thought and care into what they post. It's just that often, the fraying old tube sock outfit is an indication of lack of care and effort, which is not something I personally appreciate.

 

Calling someone "Elitist" during a civil debate is somewhat akin to calling someone racist or a communist. Its whole purpose is to shut down the debate and put the other side to the defensive.

Might as well call someone a poopy-head. It serves the same purpose, and just as mature.

 

This is so very true.

Maybe it's a result of the self-esteem movement in schools about ten to fifteen years ago, where everyone was to be rewarded just for showing up, and no one was to be rewarded for excelling, because that would make the other kids feel bad. Or maybe it's from parents telling their child he or she is the most special child on Earth-- when in fact they are as average as any other of us, and haven't actually done anything that special. My favorite quotation is from the Incredibles: *Everyone* can be super! And when everyone's super-- no one will be.

I personally don't give a flip about sock dresses. If that's how you choose to dress your doll, so be it. There may be extenuating circumstances causing you to dress your doll that way, and certainly it would be rude for others to tell you publicly and spontaneously that they think your doll is in the very lowest circle of ugliness. But expecting to be praised for a two-minute creation is an entirely different case, and if you ask for feedback, people will probably be very honest about how they feel.

 

- Do you have an aversion to sock dresses? No not at all, as long as it's sewn well there shouldn't be a problem

- Do you think it makes a doll less of a doll when it doesn't have what the avarage owner calls proper clothing? See I just got my girl yesterday and all I have for her to wear are some sweaters I had made from a pair of christmas socks I bought for like two dollars. Other then that she is in the buff. I don't have money to buy clothing for her and my sewing skills might not be amazing but I don't think I did a bad job at making the sweaters. I let my friends see them and they didn't think they were once socks.

- Do you think less of the owner when they choose to either have a temporary sockdress or a permanent sock dress? I'm going to keep her ugly christmas sweater as a keeper. it's something she will wear for the holidays but other then that I might considering I'm getting some jeans in a week (thanks to a friend who felt bad for her). but if it looks nice then why not keep the item of clothing? Yes there are some ugly sock dresses, but honestly it's not our place to say what should be done by any person does to their doll.

- Let me now how you feel about sock dresses in general. they are fine, just make your stuff well and don't listen to what others say. Not all of us are great at sewing or have money. I'm lucky that my mom can sew and shows me how. As long as you love it don't let other people get in the way. It's your doll not theirs.

 

I don't mind if people put their dolls in socks. It's not the worst thing they could possibly do to the thing, you know? It's just a sock. While I, personally, would rather leave my dolls temporarily naked than ruin a pair of my socks, I don't know. I think some socks out there are actually pretty cute. With cute designs on them and stuff. I think maybe those kinds would make cute dresses. Hehe. It doesn't make the doll less of a doll to be in a sock. Of course. It's still a doll no matter what it's in.

It wouldn't make me think less of the owner either. I don't make a habit of thinking less of people for silly things like that. : /

Also, some people don't know how to sew right off the bat when they get their first doll. Or they might not be able to buy something. Just like you wouldn't expect somebody to do flawless face-ups the first time they tried, it shouldn't matter if somebody's first doll dress was made out of a sock. How silly. They're still excited about their new doll. Let them show it off, no matter what it's got on. : D

 

I also think, especially with younger doll owners, if they make a dress out of a sock and someone tells them it sucks and is fugly, they may never attempt anything again. I'd rather be encouraging and offer gentle criticism if it is asked for, and maybe next time they will try harder and have better results.

None of us is born with a needle and thread in our hands. We all have to start somewhere. My mom gave me my first sewing kit when I was four years old, showed me how to thread the needle, etc. I HAD to take sewing in junior high- it was required for two years. But I know a lot of people who have never so much as threaded a needle in their lifetimes- so obviously their first efforts are going to be a little rough.

I'd rather encourage them to keep trying than say something rude or inconsiderate that will discourage them from ever trying again.

 

I feel these are the best two points and that they need to be put together on a sliding scale instead of made black and white; it's not to say that you can't EVER praise someone for a small accomplishment, like making a sock hoodie.

Another personal experience with the two approaches, since I see some relevance and I think it may help shed some light: In high school, I was learning German with okay progress. At an all-German-speaking event, there was to be a spelling contest and I'd decided to enter. A fellow student happened on me and asked what events I was participating in; when I told him about the spelling bee, the first thing he said was, "Why? Your German sucks!" ... well, first thing I did was go back and cross out my name. It was the only event I was participating in for the day and darn it, I was horribly shy to begin with, not to mention shy about my beginner's German and midwest-USA accent.

The point of that story being, I knew my skills weren't up to par but I loved the event being held and I wanted to challenge myself and practice. When someone lobbed "you suck" into my face, yes, it killed my intiative for a little while. Had no one said anything one way or another, I probably would have continued regardless.

What I did not need was to be coddled and praised every time I learned a new word or understood a single sentence. Again, that's silly. Much of the same goes with sewing: no, I never made a sock-anything and I'm not the best seamstress on Earth, but I am trying anyway and learning how to make a tunic anyway. Much like learning another language, I didn't need praise when I figured out how to read the measurements, cut the fabric out and put it back together. Nobody needs that much praise, but nobody needs to say "You suck, gtfo out" either.

 

Agrees with River *nodnod*

 

So this is the legendary sock thread! ROFL!!
(I must have some socks someplace..see ya in the Galleries!)

 

Wow, I find a good portion of this thread disturbing. What an inane topic to get into flame wars and personal attacks over - not to mention one that devalues the worth of DOA in my eyes. Perhaps I'm just too darn old to do anything more than shake my head at the entire debate.

If you want to pay gobs of money on your dolls accessories, that's fine. If you want to make your little doll live in nothing more than a tattered sock dress - that's your decision, as well. I don't see a problem with either extreme.

 

i think when done properly it's not that big of a deal, or if it's temporary, but if you're going to put so much effort into the doll you should at least put some effort into the clothing in which can bring out the personality of a doll. and i don't really think a doll can have a personality of a sock, if it's not temporary. But i don't really mind, their not my dolls. But if it's looks very pleasant and you can't tell, then i applaud them.

 

Pffft. This thread is entertaining, I can't believe it's in debate. And since everyone is spewing their opinions I think I'll throw in my two cents.
*ahem* Pretty much every sock dress or shirt I've ever seen looks tacky. Yes, my doll has a sock shirt (it's pretty much her only shirt), which makes me a hypocrite, but it's only because I'm broke. Now the material I have no aversion to, but that's not the point of this thread. And no one cares what I think, really, I'm just an anonymous internet person. I say if you like your doll in a sock keep it in a sock. I won't praise you for it, but it's your doll and you have the right to do whatever you want with it.

^We are making a big deal about this, aren't we? It's a tad immature, but I think we all just like to give our opinions, no matter how ridiculous. I know I do.

 

Wait... we're arguing over socks? Really?? How can someone judge another person's ability, or inability, to buy or sew expensive clothes for their dolls? And who can say what's considered expensive for another person? Maybe someone scrounged up every penny they could get to buy their beloved doll, and now they're being scorned for creating a sock dress to clothe it? And don't humans wear sweaters and sweater dresses? Are they also ridiculous and tacky and cheap? Why is any of this an issue? State what you like, and leave other people to their opinions, no matter what "side" you're on. The people who come across as mean will be seen that way, and Karma's a bitch. Just leave the rest to her.

 

I posted my opinion in the middle of the heat and was all like:
"Oops! Now the ONE time I forgot to read it --"

But when I tried to go through it, it gave me a headache! lol
Though this thread is composed of some of the wittiest retorts
and most creative, summaries, I think the mods will more than
likely lock it soon. How much more can we all say about socks? ><

(although the whole issue isn't about socks anymore, but
has delved deep into moral principles, and an epic battle of
true destiny brought on by socks)

 

- Do you have an aversion to sock dresses?
Oh my goddess, YES. I hate them oh so much, I have NEVER --- Oh. Wait. ... Let me try that again.
No! Of course I don't! Anyone who has a problem with the way someone dresses their doll, well.. they're just silly.

- Do you think it makes a doll less of a doll when it doesn't have what the average owner calls proper clothing?
Uhm... no? It's a doll regardless of how extensively decorated it is... or how not-so-extensively.

- Do you think less of the owner when they choose to either have a temporary sockdress or a permanent sock dress?
Not at all. Some people just can't afford the expensive and elaborate clothing. The people that spend money on socks just for their dolls might NOT have the ability to sew anything from just plain old fabric. Especially right after one buys a doll, they may not have any extra money to buy clothing. My first doll was quite an expense for me at the time, and yes, lived in a sock dress until I made enough money to buy her some clothes. At that point, I thought anything was better than having her lounging around naked. (I live in a conservative house, if my family had wandered in and saw a naked doll... er.... yeah.)

- Let me now how you feel about sock dresses in general.
Personally, whether they are just tubes made from socks, or elaborately done clothing sewn from a variety of sock-like-things, who really gives a flying carp? Are we not allowed to freely do as we wish to our dolls? If you don't like sock dresses, then kindly don't view them. You have a choice, you know. No one is holding a gun to your head and saying "STARE AT THESE SAWK DRESSES UNTIL YOU DIIIIIIIIIIIE" ...unless they are, in which case, I apologize.

 

all of this has inspired me. i found a cool pair of blue/black marled tights today in the clearance bin at walmart. perfect scale for a sd sweatshirt. i'm off to make my girls some sock hoodies........