The first iteration of this craft was created in my sister’s grade seven home-ec class. The results soon became treasured staples of our holiday decorating. A few years ago my sister stitched up a new and improved version for the next generation. Now my children cherish their handmade stockings as much as I love the one she created for me over 30 years ago.
What you need:
- Felt in a variety of colors
- Buttons
- String
- Ribbon
- Sewing machine OR needle and thread
- Chalk
- Fabric glue
What you do:
- Choose a base color for your stocking. Fold a piece of felt in two, and draw a large stocking shape in chalk on one side, about 18”long by 10” wide. Cut through the double fabric to create two identical pieces of felt in the shape of a stocking.
- In a contrasting color, make trim for the top of your stocking. Cut a rectangle to the same width as the top of your stocking and then cut a large scalloped pattern into one long side of the rectangle.
- Plan out the images you want to put on your stocking. If you’re not confident in your artistic abilities, use books or Christmas cards for references of simple holiday themed illustrations. You can either copy the illustration onto the felt, or trace a photocopy. You can use accessories like cord and buttons to make legs and feet on a reindeer, or create button eyes on a snowman.
- Cut out your pieces and arrange them on the front piece of your stocking. You can glue the pieces in place, or stitch them on. The stitches can be a part of your design, forming branches on a tree, or a face on a snowman.
- When you’re happy with the design, place your two stocking shaped pieces of felt together, with the design facing out, and set the trim along the top of your stocking.
- Stitch around the edge of your stocking and trim, leaving an opening at the top.
- Affix a ribbon loop onto the top, back corner of your stocking for hanging.
Together you and your children can make these charming, one-of-a-kind stockings. They will treasure this unique keepsake and you will both treasure the memories of creating it.
They are gorgeous, hubba hubba!
These stockings, are such a delight, love it! My Child’s teacher was talking about these in class today, Daniela told me, what a coincedence
Fun to make, can be used year after year
Those look so cute and fun to make. My sister would probably put tons of pictures of puppies and kittens on hers.
**SparkleUnicorn1998**
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My mother had as do this as children. She still has them. We should have her make new socks with her grandchildren this year.
I like them but I sewed the pieces on each stocking. So we could use them year after year.
Cool! Congratulations!