For several years I’ve wanted to have new Christmas stockings for our family. The stockings we have are totally fine, but they are a mix and match and are more mix than match, plus I’ve never really LOVED them. But y’all, stockings are expensive, multiplied by 8 (and now 10) and we just cannot do it.
So, I think about making stockings each year, and each year I get overwhelmed by the thoughts. But we’ve added to our family this past year, so this is the year that stockings get made. And guess what? They didn’t take very long – less than three hours for 10 stockings – and they didn’t cost an arm and a leg – less than $20 for 10 stockings. So, today I’m going to show you how to make these simple Christmas stockings.
You can use whatever fabric you want to. I chose to use a drop cloth that I got for $16. If you use a drop cloth you need to be aware of a couple of things. First, it might not be completely clean you should probably wash it first. Second, drop cloth fabric frays pretty easily, which is not a huge deal once it gets sewn, just be careful while you’re making the stockings.
Supplies
Canvas drop cloth or fabric
Pattern (if you are not comfortable drawing your, here is a downloadable one you can use)
Muslin fabric
Burlap ribbon
Embroidery thread, thin crochet thread or ribbon
Sewing Machine, thread, etc.
The first thing you need is a rope or ribbon to hang your stocking. If you are using ribbon, cut a 5″ piece and you’re good. If you are using embroidery thread or thin crochet thread you will need about 48″. Fold it in half and tape the ends to the table. Twist it until it just barely starts to twist on itself, fold again and it should twist on itself again.
Fold a third time, twist just a bit, fold one more time and tape the ends. This will be your rope for hanging.
Cut out 4 pieces for each stocking (here is a downloadable pattern)
Pick out two pieces to be the outside. Pin your rope to outside edge of one piece about 3/4″ from the top on the right side of the fabric. Put another piece on top right sides together) and sew the pieces together leaving the top open.
Sew the other two pieces together leaving the top open and about 4″ on the bottom open – this is the lining.
Turn the outside piece right side out and if you want to do a decorative stitch around the top, this is the time to do that.
Put the outside piece inside the lining. Match seams and stitch around the top.
Pull outside of stocking through the hole in the lining and turn lining right side out. I like to use a chop stick and straight out the edges of the outside of the stocking.
Tuck in edges of hole in lining and stitch hole closed.
Push lining into stocking and straighten up. Top stitch around the opening.
Now on to decorating…I made name “plates” for each one using some burlap ribbon that was Carl’s mom’s from the ’70s. I sewed a piece of muslin to the ribbon that had the person’s name printed on it. You can use freezer paper and your printer or just use a marker and write the name on the fabric. I hand-stitched the name plate onto the stocking just in case I ever don’t want burlap ;-).
What is a Christmas project that you’ve been wanting to do but it just seems overwhelming? May this be the year it gets done.
Janet Garman
Tuesday 25th of November 2014
Thanks for the pattern, Angi. This is something I have wanted to do also, since more family members have joined us and the "kids" are grown. I hope I can make time to whip up 8 - 10 of these this year.
Angi Schneider
Wednesday 26th of November 2014
I hope you do too, Janet. It's great to know that I can keep adding to them and not worry how big our family gets.
Tessa
Monday 24th of November 2014
I think even I could make these, Angi! Thanks so much for the great tutorial - pinned!
Angi Schneider
Monday 24th of November 2014
oh, I bet you could easily make these Tessa ;-)