Introduction
Make this holiday season fun and enjoyable by making your own stockings. Yes, now you do not have to spend a lot on a pair of stockings anymore. Not only is it a great friend and family activity, but it also makes more decorative and personalized stockings.
Step 1
Getting started by gathering materials for your stockings. You may recycle scraps and pieces already present at home or buy some from a crafts and arts shop. Some great materials for stockings are velvet, faux fur, gingham and patterned cotton. Also pick up coordinated thread and plastic or newspaper to make the stockings pattern.
Step 2
Collect decorative materials. To decorate your stockings collect trims,lace, buttons, gems, stones, sequins, beads and basically anything that can be used to personalize your stockings. This is the part where one's creativity can be unleashed. Children especially will love being included in this step
Step 3
Make your pattern. To make perfect stockings this is the most important step. Use old stockings as a template and cut out a corresponding piece of newspaper or cardboard leaving about half an inch extra all around. This will serve as a template for the new home made stockings. On this piece of cardboard mark out with chalk the pattern on your felt or fabric. Make two cuttings which will form the front and back of your stockings
Step 4
Embellish your stockings. Stitch on to the cut outs any sequins, beads or appliques. Decorate the stockings with any materials. Initials of people may also be stitched onto the stockings using a contrasting color of thread or even with small beads. Any material that is to be glued on with a hot glue gun may be done after the stockings are ready but all the sewing up must be done now.
Step 5
Sew the stockings together. This may either be done using a simple running stitch which would require only thread and a needle or you may use a sewing machine. Place the two faces of stocking against each other, making sure the right faces are on display and then sew all around. Your stockings are now ready. You may tie a lace or ribbon around the top edge of your stockings by a simple stitch.
Tips
Make sure you have enough fabric for your stockings before starting out. Use a smaller template if necessary. Place out all your older stockings onto the workplace so you can embellish your stockings in a way that would also match well with your stockings from last season.
The initials on the stockings may also be made from contrasting color felt and glued on rather than stitching on initials with embroidery. It's quicker and looks great.With steps as easy as this, your funky unique stockings will be ready in no time. And don't worry about filling them all. Use stockings as a decorative feature to turn your living room into a festive and fun area.
