Of all the Christmas decorations that can evoke fond childhood memories, stockings are probably one of the most sentimental to me. When we were young, my Mom taught my sister and me how to (carefully!) use the sewing machine and make our own stocking for Christmas.
I remember being surprised at how easy they were to make (we made pretty simple versions, of course), so I made as many as I could in lots of different patterns and colors.
Even now when I go home for Christmas, my Mom still has the same stockings that we’ve used for years, and there’s something comforting about that tradition.
This is actually the first year that I’ve made stockings for my husband Todd and me, so I wanted them to be extra special ones to keep for Christmases to come. Here’s how I made them:
Supplies:
–leather (real or faux)
-faux fur
-fabric scissors
-X-Acto knife
-felt
-leather glue
-fabric glue
-craft paper
1. Use your craft paper to cut out your stocking template (the top opening of mine was about 8 inches wide and 16 inches from the top to the bottom of the toe).
Trace the template onto your leather once with the toe facing left, then flip the pattern and trace again with the toe facing right. Cut out each outline.
2. Print your personalized name or word the desired size on a piece of paper. Tape the word on the center top half of the right side of your stocking. Use your X-Acto knife to trace over the outside lines of the letters and cut out each letter.
3. Cut a piece of felt that is big enough to cover the outlines of your word and use fabric glue to attach the felt to the wrong side of your leather beneath the word.
4. On the right side of the leather, paint a thin line of leather glue around the outer edge of both the front and back pieces (make sure to leave the top open though, don’t glue that together!).
Place the two halves right side together and let the glue dry- this step will keep the edges together without pins while you sew the stocking.
5. Leaving the top edge open, sew around the stocking edge with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.
6. Cut out two pieces of the faux fur that are 4 inches tall and 8 inches wide. Face the right sides of the fabric together and sew straight down each short side (with a 1/2 inch seam allowance) leaving the longer top and bottom sides open.
7. Slip your fur cuff over the top of your stocking so that the right side of the fur is facing the wrong side of the leather. Line up the top of the fur cuff with the top of the stocking and pin in place. Sew the leather and fur together with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.
8. Use your fabric scissors to clip little triangle shaped cuts into the curves of your stocking (like around the heel and toe). Now you are ready to turn your stocking right side out! Flip your stocking and fold down the fur cuff.
9. Cut a small strip of felt and sew it into a hanging loop. Attach this loop to the top of the inside left edge of your stocking, and you’re done!
I think stockings are the most fun when they reflect your personal style and the shimmery gold and fluffy white fur on these definitely hit home with our personal aesthetic. I can’t wait to get these hung up and filled with presents! xo. Laura
Cool! Where do you get your metallic leather from?
I love handmade stockings. My mom still uses the ones my siblings and I made when we were tiny. It’s so fun and cute – even though we’ve made better looking ones since then.
These are very pretty. I love stockings-it’s a great idea to make them because really, they can’t be that hard.
love this idea!
xxoo,
nikki
www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
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http://coastalexport.com/
Okay, this stocking is so magical to me! Gold leather for Christmas?! Doesn’t get much better than that! Love it!
This is such a great idea! Thanks for sharing Laura!
Lulu xx
http://luluslittlewonderland.blogspot.com
This looks amazing!
LOVE these! Great DIY!
xo
Maggie A
LOVEMAVIN.COM // FREE GIFTS
These are SO cute!
xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
I looooove these!!!!
Really love this idea. Really original, can’t wait to have a go myself. xxx
Where do you get the leather? It’s hard to find it in local stores for a decent price, so I’m guessing I’d have to order online. Do you have any suggestions?
This is really so cool and a great gift idea too.
Zoe
http://thatszoe.blogspot.com
how fun! i love it.
These are awesome and I love gold!! Don’t forget to make ones for the pups =)
xoxo Annejelina
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CrownofCreationShop
This diy is so cool! The whole stocking-tradition is not common at all where I live, but this year I’ll introduce it! xo
http://fragilityofbeauty.com/
hold. up. there’s such thing as gold leather? the world has just changed for the better.
So funny!
So funny!