The case of the missing sock scenario. We’ve all been a character in that mystery story, haven’t we? If the laundry signs pinned across Pinterest is any idicator, then the answer is, yes. There’s some pretty clever sayings that go along with the solution for what to do with the other sock, until you can find the missing mate.
I have added to the bunch with a missing sock laundry sign of my own, that I have donned with the term “Till We Meet Again.”
Does anyone know where that saying comes from without googling it?
DIY lost or missing sock laundry sign
Making a lost or missing sock sign is pretty basic.
If you have clothes pins, heavy duty glue, craft paint, a thin craft brush and an item like a picture frame, piece of scrap wood, or in my case, a broken piece off a wooden dish rack, then you’re almost there.
I had a wooden dish rack, but it fell apart after about a year. Actually the larger part still works as a dish rack, but the smaller part had become a piece of junk…or did it?
I couldn’t throw it away mostly because I knew it had potential for some kind of storage-ish use.
It kind of reminded me of an old washboard, thus the laundry sign idea was spawned, having seen so many cute ones around the web.
Here’s what I did:
First I gave the broken part of the dish rack a light sanding.
Next I cut a piece of pallet slat to size using a standard hand saw, and gave that a light sanding, as well.
Then I gave the wood pieces a quick stain with a rust and vinegar mix that I keep around.
I found a free printable sock graphic on google.
I used PicMonkey to make the “saying” and printed them both out using the print feature for printing “4 on a page.”
Using this printing feature allowed me to get the graphics small enough to fit onto the piece of pallet wood.
Then using the #2 pencil transfer technique, I transferred the sock image first, painted that in with white with a thin craft paint brush.
Then I transferred the wording over the sock image and traced the wording in with a black paint pen.
- Rub pencil on the back side of the graphics.
- Lay the graphic facing up one the wood.
- Outline the graphic or working with a ball point pen.
- Remove the paper and trace out the graphic with a thin craft brush and paint, or a paint pen.
I used E6000 glue and a toothpick to attach the pallet wood sign and the clothes pins.
I also glued some of the wood rack rungs that were precariously attached with the little tack supports that the rack originally came with.
Finally, I hung the piece up in our laundry room with Command strips.
I’m hoping to give this room a makeover one of these days, but if you want to see a basement laundry room BEFORE and AFTER that will knock your socks off, check out our townhouse laundry room make over.
Although it’s not the fanciest because we were getting ready to move, it is amazing what a few buckets of paint will do.
I’m not sure there is any one right answer to where the missing socks go, but having a lost or missing sock laundry sign is at least one way to stand up to the lost sock gods until the other sock shows up. Or should I say if?
Thanks so much for checking this out.
Also sharing at:
Sweet Inspiration Link Party/ The Boondocks Blog
That DIY Party / DIY Show Off
Lucy @ Patina Paradise says
Amy this is super cute! Love that you saw potential where someone else would have tossed the “junk”. I so need to make one of these but it would probably need to be 6 feet long! lol I remember seeing a video showing how socks get sucked into the underside of the dryer drum… that may answer the age old question.
Joan M. Stricker says
That is so cute. Never would I have thought to use missing socks as wall art. You have to make sure you just lose half of the cutest socks.
Tammy says
This is an adorable idea! I have on of these racks …now I know what I can do with it …if it falls apart…so cute
Kathleen Charm Bracelet Diva {At Home} says
I’ve always wanted to make one of these, our sock situation is usually a disaster! Your version is adorable, and very ingenious. I have one of those wooden drying racks somewhere….. xoKathleen Charm Bracelet Diva {At Home}
chris aka monkey says
your sense of humor is only exceeded by your good looks ….. so funny love it xx
kim @hunt and host says
Ahhh the missing sock. I totally need something like this!! So cute
Jeanette says
I need something to hold socks until the mate chases up in the laundry. This is a great repurpose.
Tuula @ Thrifty Rebel Vintage says
That is such a great and fun idea Amy! I love it!
Keri says
Amy, this is super cute!!! Love it!! Great repurpose!! 🙂
Feral Turtle says
Haha what a cute idea Amy. Good job.
Katrin says
What a fun & super nice project! Love the idea! Thank you so much for sharing at Sweet Inspiration #3!! Happy Sunday!!