Countdown to Christmas: Faux Fur Throw

We continue our countdown to Christmas with a great gift idea that you can make for your family and friends. Faux fur throws are a hot trend in home décor because they add a texture and romance to any room. 

You will see them them thrown over the back of a sofa, draped over a leather chair or at the foot of a bed. Faux fur throws are the perfect, cozy little blanket for watching television, reading a book or taking a nap. 

To make your own faux fur throw, begin by selecting your favorite faux fur for the front.  There is a tremendous selection at Mary Jo’s Cloth Store, from solid colors to realistic animal prints.  Keep in mind that faux fur with a short pile will be easier to sew, especially if you are inexperienced with sewing faux fur.  

We selected a faux chinchilla that is silky, soft and oh-so irresistible! For the lining we chose a red satin from the Mary Jo’s bridal department. Red is perfect for Christmas, but any color would be lovely.  

If you don’t want to make a color-statement, choose a warm brown or black lining.

Step 1:

Cut a square for the front and back.  We cut this throw 54 inches x 54 inches, which used exactly 1½ yards of the fur and satin material.  Serge the edges of the fur, and the satin if needed.  Mark the center of each side.  Place the fur and satin face-to-face, line up the corners and center marks and pin together.   Then secure in-between the pins, keeping the fur stretched taut between the pins while pinning together.

Step 2: 

Sew around the edges using a ½-inch seam allowance.  (Test stitching on a remnant of fur and satin to determine the best settings for your machine).  Leave a small opening along one side for turning.

Clip corners and turn right sides out.  Hand stitch the opening closed with matching thread. Your fur throw is finished!  

You will want to keep this gift for yourself, or make two, one for you and one for a friend, even your furry friends will love this cozy throw.

Countdown to Christmas: Sew a Stocking

We continue our countdown to Christmas with this fun and easy holiday sewing project.  Christmas stockings are such a special tradition, filled with little surprises from Santa, or to brighten your holiday décor.  

We used felt to make all of the stockings shown.  Felt is easy to work with because it doesn't fray.

And whoa!  Look at all the trimmings that can be used to personalize your stocking.  From pompom fringe to ric-rac, ruffles, braid and ribbon; you will find all this and more at Mary Jo’s Cloth Store.

The pattern shown is drawn on a 1-inch grid.  You can enlarge the pattern if you think Santa is delivering something a little bigger this year, or decrease the size and make mini-stockings for your pets, as tree ornaments or as a party favor, hostess gift or as part of your Christmas table setting.

Step 1: Use the pattern to cut out two pieces for the front and back of your stocking, and two pieces for the lining.  Pin together the lining pieces face-to-face and sew around the sides and foot of the stocking, leaving the top open.  As you sew, leave a 3 to 4 inch opening along one of the sides for turning.  After you are finished do not turn it right sides out – set it aside until the other pieces are sewn.

Step 2: Sew on your trimmings to one, or both sides of your stocking, inset from the top edge.

Step 3: Place the front and back pieces right sides together and sew around the sides and foot, leaving the top open.  Turn right sides out.  Put the stocking front, inside the stocking lining so that they are face to face.  

Step 4: Pin together the top, lining up the seams and sew all the way around.  You can sew a loop of ribbon or cord in the seam during this step, or hand stitch a ring or loop after the stocking is finished.

Step 5: Pull the stocking right sides out through the hole you left in the seam sewn in step 1. 

Step 6: After the stocking face and lining are right sides out, pin together the opening and sew closed.

Step 7: Push the lining into the stocking and press.  You can secure the lining with a few hand stitches if needed.

That’s it!  You can now make fun and creative stockings for your friends and family.  We would love to see pictures.  Please share your stockings on the Mary Jo’s Facebook page so we can share in the holiday sewing spirit.

Or, if you would rather learn how to sew stockings hands-on, we have just the class for you!  Sign up today for Christmas Stockings with instructor Susan Woodcock at Mary Jo’s Cloth Store on Friday, December 6^th from 3 – 6:00 pm. Bring your friends for a fun and creative time together.