"S" is for Stockings

Personalized Christmas stockings:

Made especially for a couple soon-to-be married and their dog.

And surprisingly I made these back in September but just received the Ballard Designs catalog and saw their version:

image from Ballard Designs

Although similar, they used linen and velvet whereas I used drop cloth and gingham, there is a big cost difference.

And I think my version is a bit more fun.

Here's how I made the stockings:

1. Using a paper template layout two layers of drop cloth:

2. Cut around edges leaving 1/2" seam allowance and extra length at the top for cuff:

3. Cut gingham cuff piece - 5" x at least width of stocking x 2:

4. Cut two cuff pieces to fit width of stocking, add medium weight fusible interfacing to stiffen.

Cut loop piece from drop cloth: 2" x 10":

4. Sew cuff onto top edge of stocking, both pieces, right sides together:

4. Press gingham upwards for finished look:

5. Place both stocking pieces right sides together and sew around edge leaving top open:

6. Trim curves for smooth seams:

7. Press cuff side seams open:

8. Turn stocking right side out, pull cuff down onto stocking leaving about 1" of gingham at top edge and press cuff edge:

9. Pin gingham down onto top edge of stocking:

10. Top stitch cuff into place around top edge:

11. Fold remaining raw edge of gingham up and under and stitch only the gingham finished edge:

12. Prepare the loop piece by folding the drop cloth in on itself and stitch closed down one side:

13. Prepare the letters for personalization.

Print out letters, apply heat'n'bond adhesive to wrong size of red fabric be sure to leave paper backing in place:

14. Using a light box, place the name backwards onto the light box and line up your fabric.

Trace around letters right onto the paper backing:

15. Cut out letters, keeping paper backing in place.

16. Remove paper backing and iron into place on cuff.

Stitch around edge of letters for finished look. 

(You can barely see the stitching in these pictures but I used a blanket stitch around all the edges.)

17. Sew in the loop, reversing multiple times for reinforcement.

Hang and love.

Simple personalized stockings make a perfect decoration.

Here's view coming down the stairs:

I know it's not even Halloween yet but Christmas will be here before we know it.

It's never too early to start all those Christmas projects.

And these folks will have some cute stockings for their First Christmas together as a married couple.

I'm linking up to:

Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane

SAS @ Funky Junk

Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots & Jello

Sundae Scoop @ I Heart Naptime

Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming

Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

DIY Fall Festival @ The DIY Showoff

Made by You Mondays @ Skip to My Lou

Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter

Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Good Life @ A Beach Cottage

Delightfully Inspiring @ Delightful Order

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Tickled Pink @ 504 Main

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
Textiles @ Freckled Laundry