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.