Christmas is right around the corner

Are you aware that it’s not long before it’s Christmas? Time goes by so fast sometimes and before you can blink twice, it’s the beginning of November. It is time to start thinking about the holidays.

When I think about Christmas, I think about gifts and dining with family and friends among other things. Having a dining table with beautiful Christmas decorations fills my heart with joy. And including that handmade touch is important to me as a sewer and quilter.

Looking for the perfect Christmas decorations

That's why I looked for a cute, non-traditional decoration to make for our Christmas table. It was a challenge to find an item that's so simple and easy to make; usually we just fall back on something like a folded card or a napkin with some greenery.

Here we go…

My Christmas Stockings are also featured at FATQUARTERSHOP’s blog (from the 3rd of November on). If you visit their blog and comment, you are in the drawing for a giveaway.

Printing of the Christmas Stocking template

First, you need to print out the template of one Stocking from our free resource library. Don’t have the password for the free resource library yet? Click here and you’ll get it straight into your inbox. It’s chock-full with all kinds of patterns and templates (if you already a subscriber you will find it in each newsletter).

The stocking template is designed for US Letter size sheets. You wanna make sure your print options are set on actual size or 100% to get the original measurements and the correct ratio.

These Stockings are quite small so if you want to have larger ones to hang on your mantel, for example, you can also choose the option poster-size and enlarge the patterns to your desired size (maybe at 150%). The seam allowance becomes a little bit smaller but it doesn’t matter much for the end result.

The instructions given here are for the original size of the Christmas Stocking.

By the way, in our free resource library, you can also find this free Christmas pattern, a table runner to download. It is a quick project and can be finished in time before the holidays.

Materials needed for the Christmas Stocking

Besides your preferred sewing tools, like scissors, pins, and your sewing machine,

• You’ll need 2 Fat Eights in different designs if you want a different lining than the outside of the Stocking. If you like to use the same fabric for the lining you can use 1 Fat Quarter or a quarter yard.

• For the cuff of the Stocking, you’ll need 5 ¼ ”  x 6 ½ “ of neutral linen.

• If you’re making this with simple quilting cotton like we did using the LAZY AFTERNOON COLLECTION, you can add interface or batting to the pattern pieces. If you go with some sturdier canvas, that wouldn’t be necessary.

• A piece of ribbon for the loop, 4” lon

• The template for the Stocking from the free resource library

Here is a free video tutorial for you showing you all the steps

You can use these fun Christmas Stockings as a placeholder on your Christmas table. Or hang them on your mantel. But these make also fun gifts.

In a previous post I already showed you my black/linen/gold version (and this post includes a written tutorial if you like that as a reference)

You can even make 24 Stockings and use them as an advent calendar. There is enough room for a small gift for all kids or grandkids. Not sure what to put into them? Holly has a big list of all kinds of Stocking Stuffers.

Let Christmas activities already start today.

Happy sewing!