I’ve always loved the look of hand-sewn or quilted stockings, so much that a few years ago, before I could sew, I bought our family a bunch that could totally pass for hand-made (they were handmade somewhere).  Anyway, my super genious sister-in-law suggested we try it out, so I FINALLY decided to make my own this year!

I LOVE how they turned out!! 

Thanks Brooke for lots of fun, and creatvity!  Look how darling her stockings turned out…

I got my inspiration from lots of ideas and tutorials out there in blogland, here are a couple of links I looked at…

Would you like to make your own…

Supplies:

• christmas fabric
• muslin (lining fabric)
• thread
• sewing machine
• cutting mat and rotary cutter
• embellishments

Step 1

Create a pattern. 

Trace the shape of an old stocking onto a piece of muslin or batting, (I used batting b/c it was much more sturdy to work with) making sure you give yourself a good 1/2 inch extra for seam allowance. 

Use this pattern to cut out your front and back pieces of the stocking and the liners.  (I mixed and matched all my stocking fronts and backs to make things less matchy matchy)  if you like matchy matchy, that works too!!

***When you cut the stocking front and back, make sure your fabric is folded so your wrong sides are together, and will end up together when you sew it together in the end.

For the striped fabric stocking front, just cut a bunch of strips all uneven widths and heights.  Sew them all together forming a rectangle. (Well, in this case, I don’t know what shape that is;) 

Then cut your stocking front out from that rectangle.

Step 2:

Ok, so you have a bunch of stocking fronts.  Now is the fun part.  You can create each one however you would like. 

For my youngest son, I decided to cut out the heel and toe. 

Then, with a coordinating fabric I cut another heel and toe piece (slightly larger) to sew on the stocking front. 

Fold the curved edge about 1/4 inch and press in place.  Then, stitch in place.

I made a striped fabric pattern for my other son’s stocking (using the method i described above)

I decided to do a monogram initial for my daughter’s stocking.  Just trace the letter (backwards) on a piece of heat-n-bond.  (Sorry for the lack of pictures here), you can follow THIS tutorial for more detailed directions on appliques. Cut the letter out and attach the letter to the fabric using directions on the heat-n-bond.  Applique the initial to the stocking front, and stitch around the outer edge to make the letter really pop.

I think my sister’s stocking ended up being my favorite.  I knew I wanted ruffles of some sort.  I cut 3 strips of fabric all slightly different widths.  

Next, I went along the edge with pinking shears.  

Make each strip into a ruffle by sewing a gathering stitch (the longest stitch on your sewing machin stitch settings) down the center.  Pull the bobbin (bottom) thread to form a ruffle. 

I LOVE jumbo ric rac.  I alternated jumbo ric rac with each ruffle, pinning them in place until I liked the spacing.

Step 3:

I knew I wanted some sort of cuff on all of mine.  So for the cuff I cut a piece of fabric slightly wider than the stocking front and about 5 inches tall.  Hem the bottom side of the cuff.  Do this by folding the raw edge in 1/4 inch, then another 1/4 inch and press in place. 

I also wanted to embroider names on each of my cuffs, so I did this before pinning the cuff to the stocking front.  If you skip this, it’s totally fine, just pin and sew the cuff in place.

For my daughter’s stocking a created a poofy ruffly cuff (if anyone knows a better name for this, please let me know, b/c I know I must sound like a total nerd!!;)  First hem the cuff, and sew in place. 

Next, sew a gathering stitch on each side.  Gather up your threads on each side forming a ruffly poof in the center.  Pin in place to get your placement right. 

I added some pompoms to the bottom of this ruffle (b/c they’re sooo adorable) by pinning them as close to the edge of the poof, and sewing along the wide strip. 

Step 4:

I almost forgot about this next part.  You need something to hang your stocking right!!??  I just cut a big long strip of fabric about 25 inches long by 2 inches wide.  Fold the edges toward the middle and press in place.  Next, fold the entire strip in half (length-wise). 

Sew along the folded edge to form a nice finished strip of fabric.  I cut this large strip into fifths (for the 5 stockings I made), for the loops at the top.

Step 5:

Ok, once you have all your fronts complete, pin the right sides together of all your fronts, and all your linings.  (with muslin it doesn’t really matter)  Sew along the edge using about a 1/2 inch seam.

Next, turn your lining fabric right side out,

and place inside the stocking through the top (it should still be inside out). 

Line up all the seams as best you can, then sew along the top, leaving about 3 inches open at the back corner.

Clip all excess fabric and threads before turning right side out.  After you turn your stocking right side out, shove the lining back inside, and smooth everything out. 

Fold your strip into a loop and place the raw ends of the loop inside your gap, and pin right into the corner of the stocking.  Press the edges down to form a crisp edge and close up your opening by sewing 1/4 inch all long the top.

Phew!!  You’re all done!!  Not too hard, just kind of lengthy.  This is one of those projects that was totally worth it though!!

So Christmas is in 4 days people!!  And you know me, any excuse to give something away:) 

So… guess what, I have an extra stocking… 

Would you like one?  Maybe for next year? 

I’m giving this striped fabric stocking away to one of you!!!

There are 2 ways to enter:

1. Tell me the very best gift you ever gave away.
2. Become a follower of our blog or let me know if you already are.

That’s it!! 

Good luck ya’ll!!!  Oh yeah, I’ll pick a winner on Christmas Eve:)

Linking up here this week…

Including:

giveaway now closed!!