If you cut them they will turn under. You might try cutting just a portion of the back of the sock and applique them down. I did this on a little girls quilt with many of her dresses, I wanted to use the full dress so I cut away the back to reduce bulk, same thing with her receiving blankets and other items. I have made three memory quilts using this method. The first two were my grandsons clothes and they were all types and weights of fabric. Good luck and let your imagination become creative.