We all love a hand made Christmas stocking. Here at The Stitchery we believe in providing you with all the techniques to make your very own masterpiece, whether it's something as simple as a stocking or as detailed as a bespoke tailored jacket. In this first tutorial we're going to show you how to make your own Christmas Stocking using a pattern we've developed. We will also show you how to do some basic appliqué to give it that extra special touch.
First you will need to download the stocking pattern template. You can either download a version to be printed on an A2 sheet of paper or download to print on A4 and then cut and assemble the pattern. Click here for the A2 version or click here for the A4 version. Make sure that you print the pattern at 100%.
Required Supplies
- 1/2 metre fabric for body of stocking (45inch/115cm or 60inch/150cm wide fabric)
- Suggested fabrics for fabric A/main fabric: cotton, cotton twill, linen, tweed
- 1/4 metre contrast fabric for stocking trim
- Suggested fabrics for Fabric B/stocking trim: velvet, brushed cotton, cotton
- Fabric Scissors and embroidery scissors or clips
- Paper scissors
- Pins
- Thread to match fabric (polyester/sew-all suggested)
- Measuring tape or quilting ruler
- Marking pen or chalk
Note that the pattern includes a 3/8 inch seam allowance.
Step One
Cut out your stocking paper pattern template along the cutting lines. Use your pattern as a template to cut out your main stocking pieces. Fold your fabric so that the right sides of the fabric are facing. Make sure to cut out two pieces at the same time on the folded fabric so that when you sew your stocking pieces together you have one of each side rather than two of the same side. Cut two from fabric A, making sure to stay on grain.
Step Two
As there is no paper pattern for the trim, you will need to measure out two pieces using a quilting ruler or measuring tape. Use the marking pen or chalk to draw out your cutting lines on the fabric. The measurements for the trim pieces are 9 inches by 8.5 inches. Cut two from fabric B. If you'd like to do some appliqué on your stocking you can download our tutorial on how to do appliqué by clicking here.
Step Three
With right sides of your fabric facing, pin in place along the outer raw edges. Stitch with 3/8 inch seam allowance. Make sure to backstitch when you start and finish a seam. Backstitch for each seam that you sew.
Step Four
Next, using embroidery scissors or thread clips to notch along the curved edges of the seam.
Step Five
Finish raw edges of fabric using a zigzag stitch or overlock stitch. Turn right side out and press.
Step 6
Now that the main stocking has been sewn, next stitch the seams along the 9 inch edges of the stocking trim. Use 3/8 inch seam allowance. Press the seams and finish the raw edges using a zigzag stitch or overlock stitch.
Step 7
Pin stocking trim to the main stocking body, matching the raw edges. Sew at 3/8 inch seam allowance. Finish seam.
Step 8
Turn the trim right side out and press. And there you have it… a lovely hand made stocking!
