I found a button in the bag-o-buttons my sister put in my stocking at Christmas. It says “No Stress”. I’m sure it’s from a random company somewhere – but it has turned into the theme for this year’s blogging. I tend to stress out about posting, especially on Mondays. Bloggers can get to thinking the world revolves around their posts… It’s not true, though, I hear. And of course it isn’t, because I don’t refresh my favorite blog sites all day when they are expected to post. For them, I understand that life sometimes takes over and it’s not possible to keep up with the schedule they would like to have. But, for some reason I don’t let the same rules apply to myself – I don’t allow me to catch a break, and I get on my case for posting most Monday posts at midnight (or after!). All that to say, I’m trying to be more organized this year. I’m hoping to have Monday’s posts finished before Monday, and schedules for other posts pre-planned and do-able – none of these crazy plans to sew a 20 hour item in 5 hours anymore – No Stress!
So, how about we call this Terrific Tuesday – which will be a new series inserted as needed when Made by Me Monday doesn’t work out due to sickness, the kids’ sickness, other work, random and varied other things I can think of! Today’s Terrific Tuesday is brought to you by my oldest – who unfortunately was not feeling great yesterday and has now given it (an achy cold) to me. (We were just a tad busier than usual yesterday because of it!) My husband let me sleep in this morning so I have a bit of energy this afternoon. Thankfully that means I won’t have to think up something like Wonderful Wednesday to cover tomorrow!
I’ve got a super-pinnable graphic for you below that explains how to make the skate guards/soakers for any size skate. They are lined with beach towel scraps I had lying around and the outside is regular quilting cotton. These are really fast to put together and the graphic has all of the directions. If you want to have a little more detail, you can check out the written instructions below the photos.
What you need:
- old/new towel, fabric, 1/4″ elastic, safety pin, regular sewing gear
- Cut 2 pieces of fabric and 2 pieces towel – each piece is twice the length of the skate blade x double the height of the blade + 1.5″
- Take 1 piece of towel and 1 piece of fabric. Place right sides together, stitch with 1/4″ seam along both long edges.
- Turn so wrong sides are together, stitch both long edges with 1/2″ seam to create elastic casings.
- Insert elastic into casing through one end and over to the other, folding outer (fabric) sides together.
- Pull elastic and tighten to blade length, match short edges, pin.
- Stitch short ends with 1/2″ seam, trim seam allowance to 1/4″, zigzag edges to neaten, turn fabric side out and DONE!
I made these last year but I used bias tape to put the elastic around the top. I like your version better; it’s easier too!
Thanks Laura! I didn’t think of bias tape… hmm…. 🙂
These are great! A perfect way to use up some scraps. I’ll definitely be making these soon.
I’m glad you like it Ashley. This is a super satisfying project because it is so quick and easy! 🙂
Great job. I love that you find a sewing solution to a lot of your needs. Ps…are these the expanding skates? If so, how do you like them?
Thanks! The expandable skates are fantastic, we really like them. Especially since the kids will both be able to wear them multiple years. Definitely a good buy! 🙂
Ice skating is not really done around here but if I skated, I would want some cute protectors like yours. Very pretty!
Thanks Rhonda! 🙂 We have the weather, but I need TONS of practice.
I lost one of my store-bought soakers, and wanted to find an inexpensive way to make some with my minimal sewing skills. Of all the instructions I saw on the web, yours are far-and-away the easiest to understand follow. My new soakers will be the envy of all my hockey team-mates, thanks so much!
LOVE these! Thanks so much!!
These look great! I just bought some new skates on trademe and wanted to get some soakers for them, I love skating but can’t do it often due to the cost, but with my own skates it will cost only $10 rather than $14 each time so might be able to go once or twice a week
ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO JUST PIN THE ELASTIC OR SEW THE ENDS
Hi Barabara. It is best to thread the elastic through. Pin it in place. Match the ends then sew them into the body of the skate guard with the end seam. Of course, you can baste the elastic in place instead of pinning if you’d like too. Hope that helps! 🙂
Thank you so much for the instructions. I just made a pair for mt husbands hockey skates.
love these, great instructions, do you have pattern for the puffier ice skate guards?
Hi Debbie. Not right now, but you could try making these a bit larger and adding another layer of towel to make them puffier? Hope that helps! And thanks 🙂
Hi there! I’m just here to say that this soaker pattern is amazing! I’m a competitive figure skater, and so are my two best friends. They decorated my locker at the rink,as well as theirs with this adorable pineapple wallpaper as a surprise- Well, I was quite surprised. I wanted to say thank you but I didn’t know how. I went to Micheals one day with my mom and found the exact pattern of pineapples on fabric- and I thought to make soakers. Found this website and now we’re all going to competition with them! They turned out looking so professional- But of course, I just had to add rhinestones! 🙂 thank you so much!
-Olivia
Hooray Olivia! I’m so glad you could use the pattern. Love that you all match! And I wouldn’t have thought to add rhinestones – great idea! And good luck in the competition 🙂
Needed inspiration on how to make them and this was fantastic! Don’t have a sewing machine so took me like 3.5 hours but they’re incredible and only paid for the towel and elastic (£2.50 all together). So happy and the skates are happy too!
Thanks so much! I’m so glad it worked out for you – and by hand too! Good job! 🙂
Thank you so very much for this tutorial!! My daughter (age 7) just started taking ice skating lessons this summer and we bought her new skates. We have been looking for soakers, but couldn’t find ones she really liked. I took her fabric shopping and she picked out exactly what she wanted. I monogrammed the fabric and followed your tutorial. She is so very happy!! She couldn’t wait until her next lesson to show her friends! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
!I’m so glad you like it Karen! Thank you so much for letting me know.
What kind of fabric? Fleece or flannel?
Hi April. I used Quilting Cotton for the outside and a piece of a towel for the inside. Hope that helps!