Project by Katie Done
I made these stockings years ago as a commission order for a customer. When they came back last year and asked for a matching one for their new addition to the family, it would have been rude to say no. I thought I would take the opportunity to write it up but didn't get around to it. Since tartan does not ever go out of fashion at Christmas, I thought I would just share it with you in plenty of time for Christmas 2020. These fun little stockings are personalised and have a little pocket for your letter to Santa.
This project needs basic sewing skills but also allows you to practise some of your free motion stitching.
I have taken pictures of the pair that I made but the instructions are given for one stocking.
YOU WILL NEED
Half metre of cream cotton or calico
Fat quarter of tartan
Bondaweb
Sewing Machine
Free motion foot
Iron
20cm Ribbon
METHOD
Cut out your fabrics. For one stocking you will need:
Two stocking shapes in cream. It is an easy shape to draft yourself. Mine was 50cm tall, around 35cm wide at the widest point and 25cm along the top edge.
x2 Tartan 25cm x 25cm (this is for the top trim so adjust depending on the size of your stocking).
Cream square 20cm x 20cm
Tartan Toes - make these to fit the toes on your stocking.
2. Draw your hearts, festive shape, and letters onto Bondaweb. I have written the letters freehand to fit onto the stocking. You may need to adjust the size depending on the length of the name. Remember that when you use Bondaweb you need to draw on the paper side, back to front. It can be hard to write letters back to front so I tend to write it out in a thick marker that I can see when I turn it around and use as a template. Iron the rough side of the Bondaweb to the wrong side of the fabric. I have used the offcuts to make the most of the fabric.
3. Cut out your shapes.
4. Press and sew the pocket with a double hem along the top. Press the other three sides over by 1/4". Layer the shapes and iron into place on the toes and pocket. For the trim along the top, fold it in half and iron the letters onto the top half.
5. Using a water soluble pen, write on your "letter to Santa" or whatever personalised words, if any, that you want.
6. You will need your free motion foot to get this affect. If you don't have one, you could still use your regular straight stitch on your sewing machine and go slowly turning around the curves. You could also do it by hand. I have used a contrasting black thread and free motion stitched around the shapes, twice. As you can see, I haven't cut the holes out of the O and A, I have just used the stitching to help pick it out.
I have done the same over the letter to Santa but only gone over it once. The pen will come off with a little water.
7. Fold the trim in half, wrong sides together. Place it right sides together on the stocking, sew into place. Turn it to the right side and press.
8. Pin on your pocket to the front and your toes on the front and back.
9. Top stitch around the three sides of the pocket. Use a zig zag stitch to applique the toes onto the stocking. You can just use a straight stitch to baste the outer edges in place. Make sure the front and back toe are positioned in the same place to the match up when they are sewn together.
10. Pin your front and back pieces together.
11. Sew around the edges, trim, and finish the edges with an overlocker or a zig zag stitch.
12. Use a nice piece of festive ribbon and sew it into the seams of the stocking on the heel side to finish.
Your stocking (or stockings) are complete. Although this pattern would work with any fabric, I do love the timelessness of the tartan. I am sure these will be hung up and loved for years. I would love to hear from you if you are inspired by this blog. For more free tutorials, new fabric arrivals and offers, make sure you subscribe to the mailing list.
To see more from Katie, visit her on Instagram @thefabricsquirrel
Made by Katie Done for The Craft Cotton Company 2020