I did it, remember this post? I successfully made stockings for Daniel and I. I am actually more than thrilled with how they turned out!! I hate to toot my own horn here, but I am pretty impressed with my skills. For those of you who haven't known me for long, I literally (anyone watch Parks and Rec?) started sewing in September when I got a sewing machine for my birthday. I am slowly learning how to follow patterns and even stray from the patterns a bit.
This stocking idea came from this website but since there was no pattern I used this website for guidance. But for those of you out there who are visual learners, I decided to explain the process with pictures. I am sure you more experienced sewers out there could come up with an easier way to do this, but I am just a little beginner. Seriously, if I can do this, so can you. At the end I made a few suggestions for improvements from my version! You can use this stocking tutorial with any fabrics. I just LOVE the look of burlap. It has such beautiful texture and I am excited for how it will all look when I am done decorating.
The two stockings I made are not shown here, just one, partly because I need to make a few corrections on one and partly because they may be slightly different shapes. As my husband said "It looks like this one has cankles! is that mine?!" Mind you he said it in love, and I did not take offence at all. The stockings also ended up pretty big because my husband requested a large stocking (I think he wants lots of goodies in his stocking, we are only doing stockings stuffers as gifts this year). They definitely could be scaled down a bit!
(Note: I freehanded my stocking using a rotary cutter. I just looked at the pattern from the website linked above to help guide me. I did measure out the stocking and figure out how far down I should cut the toe and where I should curve the stocking in). Stocking dimensions are very similar to pattern 18 inches in length, 7 in width and 12in in width at the longest part of toe.
Cut the Cuff. I just measured the top of my stocking, doubled it and added a centimeter for the width. The length of the cuff is about 7 inches (only 6 inches hangs over the stocking) and the ribbon is about 1 inch). You can try different sizes and see what you like best.
At this point I recommend sewing on the ribbon or rope you will use to hang the stocking. This is the step I forgot and I had to do it later (much harder). I hand sewed it on, but you may be able to find an easier way (I hate hand sewing but since I used a rope and not a ribbon it would not have worked to use the machine)
Okay, now fold the cuff down and Voila!
Suggestions:
If you will be filling your stockings throughout December and not all on Christmas eve you may want to line the stocking if you use burlap. You can basically see into the stocking.
It might be easier to sew the ribbon on at an earlier step.
I originally tried fabric glue on the ribbon but because of the texture of the ribbon you could sort of see the glue once it dried. So if you want to try that, maybe do a test piece first.
Any other suggestions? What do you think?
Suggestions:
If you will be filling your stockings throughout December and not all on Christmas eve you may want to line the stocking if you use burlap. You can basically see into the stocking.
It might be easier to sew the ribbon on at an earlier step.
I originally tried fabric glue on the ribbon but because of the texture of the ribbon you could sort of see the glue once it dried. So if you want to try that, maybe do a test piece first.
Any other suggestions? What do you think?
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