DIY Christmas Stocking Christine December 9, 2013 Holiday, Sewing I’m pretty much an expert seamstress now. And by “pretty much” I mean I’ve sewn something else, actually THREE something elses and I’m gonna tell you how I did it. Do you see the 3 Christmas stockings hung by the fireplace? Yeah, I sewed those all by myself. I’m pretty dang proud of myself. Nevermind that little one in the middle looks like a stocking for a tall elf. From left to right we have Big Daddy’s stocking, Baby Sofia’s stocking, and finally mine! First things first. Let’s talk fabric. My fabric consists of one sleeveless checkered flannel, one fluffy red sweater, 1/2 yard fabric in red and white polka dots, and red, white, and blue flowered fabric. Both the sweater and the flannel came from Goodwill and the 1/2 yard fabrics came from Joann’s. My picture below shows a red and white toile (pajama bottoms also from Goodwill) but I decided against using them. For the back of the stockings I used material I already had. It’s a natural duck cloth canvas material. I also found this at a thrift store once upon a time. The great thing about making your own stocking is being able to pick any color and pattern combination! By the way, this is so easy I might make different ones next year. Ok, so this is where the tutorial goes askew. I didn’t really use a pattern, I didn’t measure for a certain seam allowance, and at times I didn’t even bother to trace the shape of a stocking. If you’re not feeling adventurous then you might want to check out this great tutorial. I started with a store bought stocking that I bought years ago as my guide. I used a fabric pencil on my natural colored canvas duck cloth to trace around the store bought stocking. I then cut out the stocking. I used this template to cut out another stocking from my natural colored fabric (the back of stocking) and then one from a coordinating fabric of your choice (front of stocking). Once I had all three pieces cut, I pinned the natural duck cloth to the patterned fabric, wrong sides together. You can skip this step if you don’t want a heavier stocking. I tried to use a 5/8 seam allowance but I was still getting the hang of sewing around the curvy foot to pay enough attention to my measurements. Once you’ve top stitched all the way around including the top then use this piece and pin it to the other natural duck cloth (the back) with right sides together. Once the entire stocking is pinned, go ahead and run it through the sewing machine. This time don’t sew the top opening. You’re stocking should be inside out. Go ahead and pull the stocking from the toe. Is that outside in? Anyways, it should look like a stocking and your seams, regardless of how reckless you may drive your sewing machine, should be hidden. You can iron the seams to flatten out some of the bulk. You know I didn’t even bother. One too many steps for me. To put that little cuff on the opening of the stocking I just glued it with Beacon’s Fabri-Fix that I found at Hobby Lobby a couple of years ago. Of course you could sew this on but I was to gun-ho to start up my sewing machine to plan that far ahead. Oh well, maybe next time. I put a healthy amount of glue onto the duck cloth on the inside and then smashed the sweater on it and voila. This is actually a cut from the sweater’s turtle neck. I tucked it inside and folded it out over the stocking just like you would a turtle neck. Easy! I did hand sew a ribbon tab on the inside corner but I didn’t get any pictures. Sorry! So what do you think? Not bad for a newbie sewer. If you’re out there reading this and have wanted to learn to sew then please let me know how I can encourage you! Sewing has been something I’m really starting to fall in love with. Who knew that I’d be adding sewing to my resume. Awesome. 7 Responses Jaclyn Burke Barcroft December 9, 2013 Oh I love love love them! GREAT idea with the turtle neck for the cuff! We have a stash of wool sweaters (from Goodwill) that I have been wanting to felt and then make stockings out of. Good idea to line it with more of a substantial fabric. You are becoming quite the seamstress! I vote for a cute kitchen apron next! 🙂 Reply Christine Leahy December 9, 2013 Thanks Jacks! I can’t wait to see yours! Wait, when did u learn to sew? And why didn’t you teach me!? You’re totally reading my mind! I think I could handle an apron project! Let’s do this! Reply Sue December 10, 2013 I can’t sew a stitch and always admire those who can! My mother was a beautiful seamstress and my daughter is turning into one, so I guess it’s true that it skips a generation:-) Your stockings turned out great and you are off to a fabulous start. Have a wonderful Christmas! Reply astrollthrulife December 10, 2013 I totally agree, you are an expert and I adore you stockings. How cute are they. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty Reply Angel December 12, 2013 These turned out great. I love the fabric choices. Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things Hop. Angel Reply shopannies December 13, 2013 had stockings made many years ago when children were small now we need to add a few with their spouses and children I believe I will try this again thanks for inspiration come see me at http://shopannies.blogspot.com Reply Deborah Smith December 14, 2013 Sewing is a great skill to have. Just wait, you’ll be making your own curtains next! Your stockings turned out really cute…love the sweater turtleneck! Thank you for sharing it at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great weekend! Hugs, Deborah Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Jaclyn Burke Barcroft December 9, 2013 Oh I love love love them! GREAT idea with the turtle neck for the cuff! We have a stash of wool sweaters (from Goodwill) that I have been wanting to felt and then make stockings out of. Good idea to line it with more of a substantial fabric. You are becoming quite the seamstress! I vote for a cute kitchen apron next! 🙂 Reply
Christine Leahy December 9, 2013 Thanks Jacks! I can’t wait to see yours! Wait, when did u learn to sew? And why didn’t you teach me!? You’re totally reading my mind! I think I could handle an apron project! Let’s do this! Reply
Sue December 10, 2013 I can’t sew a stitch and always admire those who can! My mother was a beautiful seamstress and my daughter is turning into one, so I guess it’s true that it skips a generation:-) Your stockings turned out great and you are off to a fabulous start. Have a wonderful Christmas! Reply
astrollthrulife December 10, 2013 I totally agree, you are an expert and I adore you stockings. How cute are they. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty Reply
Angel December 12, 2013 These turned out great. I love the fabric choices. Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things Hop. Angel Reply
shopannies December 13, 2013 had stockings made many years ago when children were small now we need to add a few with their spouses and children I believe I will try this again thanks for inspiration come see me at http://shopannies.blogspot.com Reply
Deborah Smith December 14, 2013 Sewing is a great skill to have. Just wait, you’ll be making your own curtains next! Your stockings turned out really cute…love the sweater turtleneck! Thank you for sharing it at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great weekend! Hugs, Deborah Reply