Steve likes classic designs and I have a serious taste for vintage. He wanted a fur trimmed red stocking. I wanted an over the top, Victorian looking, feather clad creation. So, we set off to make two very different stockings. Here are two sets of instructions, one for a lined stocking (which can be applied to any shape) and one for an unlined stocking.
I'm proud of Steve, he made most of his stocking on his own. *High Five*
MATERIALS:
-Sewing Machine
-1/2 yard fabric (plus 1/2 yard lining fabric for lined stocking)
-Embellishments of choice
-Matching thread
-Scissors
-Paper (newspaper & a marker work great)
-Iron
-Pencil or Marker
-Pins
Takes about 1 hour.
UNLINED STOCKING:
I recommend using upholstery fabric. This is the only fabric I would use for unlined stockings as it is rigid. If you want to use a printed cotton, or other light weight material, I recommend the LINED STOCKING, see instructions below.
1. Draw your pattern on paper. Be creative! It's fun. Make the opening wide enough to fit the type of gifts you expect to receive in your stocking. 6" minimum is advised. 8" is probably average.
2. Once you have your outline, you need to draw a second line 3/8" minimum outside of your first line. This is your seam allowance. Your first line is your 'stitch line'. Cut out your pattern.
3. Cut out 1 stocking out of your heavy weight fabric. This is your front. Flip the pattern over and cut out a second stocking. This is your back.
4. Turn in the top edge twice so you have a clean edge. Iron. Stitch.
5. Finish the raw edges either by serging, zigzagging or using pinking shears.
6. Cut a piece of fabric about 4" by 8". This is your loop. Fold in ends, iron. Fold in the raw edges, fold in second time. Iron, stitch open edges.
7. Fold loop in half, pin loop to inside edge of opening of back piece. Stitch. Reinforce a couple of times. Be sure you sew it to the corner you intend to hang it from.
8. Place the two stocking pieces right sides together. Pin. Stitch around edges leaving the top open and back stitching at ends.
9. Clip rounded seam allowances up to stitching. DO NOT cut the stitched line. This is so your curves are crisper when you turn it right side out. (If your design has pointy areas like mine, clip off the corners as shown).
10. Turn and press. Your stocking is ready to decorate. I found the feathers at JoAnn Fabrics and added a little tulle bow.
11. Hang, enjoy and fill with lots of presents!
LINED STOCKING
This is very similar to the unlined stocking, however it is intended to reinforce lightweight fabrics such as cottons. You will be much happier with the final look and functionality if you line your light weight fabrics. There are various ways you can line your stocking. These are details for just one variation.
1. Draw your pattern on paper. Be creative! It's fun. Make the opening wide enough to fit the type of gifts you expect to receive in your stocking. 6" minimum is advised. 8" is probably average.
2. Once you have your outline, you need to draw a second line about 1" outside of your first line. This is your seam allowance. This is wider than the unlined pattern as you will be turning it twice and have 2 stitch lines to hide your raw edges (further explanation below). Your first line is your final size. Cut out your pattern.
3. Cut out 1 stocking out of your outer fabric. This is your front. Flip the pattern over and cut out a second stocking out of your outer. This is your back. Cut two of liner. If liner is plain no need to flip the pattern piece. If it is printed or there is an obvious right side, flip as you did with the outer. You will have 4 pieces after this step.
4. Pin liner pieces to right side of both outer pieces. Stitch around all edges leaving a 4" minimum hole for turning.
5. Clip rounded seam allowances up to stitching. DO NOT cut the stitched line. This is so your curves are crisper when you turn it right side out. Turn and iron.
6. Fold in opening edges, pin. Pin front to back right sides together. Stitch around edges leaving the top open and back stitching at ends.
7. Cut a piece of fabric about 4" by 8". This is your loop. Fold in ends, iron. Fold in the raw edges, fold in second time. Iron, stitch open edges.
8. Fold loop in half, pin to inside of back piece. Stitch. Reinforce a couple of times. Be sure you sew it to the corner you intend to hang it from.
9. Your stocking is ready to decorate.
10. To trim with fur (optional) cut a piece 2x the width of the opening plus 1" for seam allowances on either end. Cut it the height you wish. Mine is about 4". Please note, this is not the only way to decorate with fur cuff, it is simply the variation I chose. Right sides together, stitch the short ends together. Turn. Fold under raw edges, pin around opening of stocking. Take care not to pin the front & back of the stocking to each other. Stitch around both long edges of the stocking. Be sure to put the 'arm' of your machine into the opening of the stocking so you don't stitch the front to the back.
11. Hang, enjoy and fill with lots of presents!
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