How to make a Christmas stocking

Were you wondering how to make a Christmas stocking? This method is the easiest way to make a fully lined Christmas stocking with a turned down cuff (no extra cuff needed). I've also created a free Christmas stocking pattern to download so you won't even have to worry about getting the measurements right – how easy is that? Follow my step-by-step tutorial to create beautiful handmade Christmas stockings in minutes!

This is an easy sewing project suitable for beginner sewers.

Why you should make your own Christmas stockings

You could argue that there are millions of cheap Christmas stockings to buy these days so why would anyone want to make a Christmas stocking from scratch?

For one thing, by making your own Stockings for Christmas, you're guaranteed a unique Christmas decoration that's custom made to complement your home décor or to suit the tastes of the recipient(s).

My second reason is that sewing a stocking is so easy. Why go with the masses when you can have unique Christmas stockings in minutes, using your fabric of choice?

Save it for later!

Where to buy affordable Christmas fabric

Etsy is my go-to place for buying affordable fabric. You can also buy sustainably by purchasing from a print on demand fabric retailer. These fabric stores reduce waste by printing the fabric design only once an order is received.

Check out my fave fabric store on Etsy – it's where I bought the fabric for this sewing tutorial.

I made some lovely sofa throw pillows using fabric from this store too.

Pattern for Christmas stocking

You can either make a pattern from a Christmas stocking that you already have or you can download my stocking pattern from the free reader library. My template shows the exact place that you'll need to insert the hanging loop.

If you're not already a subscriber to our blog newsletter, you can sign up on the newsletter page. The password to the download library is at the bottom of each newsletter I send out.

A QUICK REMINDER: When attempting any DIY project, please take care to undertake the necessary safety precautions. You should always follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations when using any product or tool. When following my instructions for a DIY project, you are doing so at your own risk.

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Supplies

• Free template
• Outer fabric (half a metre/yard)
• Lining fabric (half a metre/yard)
• Sewing machine thread
• Tailor's scissors
• Tailor's pins
• Sewing machine
• Hemming gauge or(See my DIY hemming gauge)
• A small length of ribbon for hanging (roughly nine centimetres/three and a half inches)

Shop Supplies

Instructions

Step one – cut around the stocking pattern

Making sure the fabric pattern is the right way up, fold the fabric right sides together (pretty sides facing inwards).

Lay the Christmas stocking pattern on top of the folded fabric close to the pattern edge. (So as not to waste fabric)

Pin the pattern to the fabric.

Cut around the stocking pattern with a tailor's scissors leaving a quarter inch seam allowance. (Either use a hemming guide for this or draw a quarter of an inch hem allowance on your pattern before your cut it out - I did this).

Unpin the pattern from the fabric.

You now have two sides of a Christmas stocking.

Repeat the instructions above using your lining fabric.

Now you have all the pattern pieces you need, to make a Christmas stocking.

Step two - Sew the outer stocking

Take the two pieces of outer stocking fabric that you just cut out and place them right sides together.

Pin all the way around the stocking.

Take your pinned Christmas stocking to the sewing machine. Sew the stocking pieces together, a quarter of an inch in from the edge. Go slowly around the corners so that you keep the nicely rounded shape of the boot. Do not sew across the top edge!

Step three – sew the stocking lining

You'll repeat step two with your lining pieces but this time you'll need to add a hanging loop.

Use my free pattern to see exactly where to insert the loop into the seam before sewing. If you don't have my pattern, you'll just have to eyeball it. Turning down the cuff will give you a rough idea of where to add the ribbon hanger.

Fold the ribbon to make a loop, then insert it between the two pieces of lining fabric. Remember to insert the ribbon so that the loop is inside the fabric and the ends are sticking out of the seam.

Pin it in place.

Now, you can sew the stocking lining pieces together as you did with the outer pieces.

Step four – Make notches

To make sure that the rounded parts of the Christmas stocking remain nicely rounded after sewing, we're going to notch the edges.

Make small cuts (notches) to the fabric edge around the foot section of the stocking. Do this for both the outer and inner stocking pieces.

If you've made a wider hem, now is the time to trim it down. The less bulk inside the stocking, the better it will keep its shape.

Be careful not to cut into the stitching when cutting the notches.

Step five – Assemble the stocking

Turn the outer Christmas stocking the right way out. Run one of your fingers tightly around the seam pushing out the fabric.

Press the outer stocking flat with an iron.

Turn the top edge of the stocking down inside itself about a quarter of an inch.

Take the stocking lining and turn the top edge down and outwards about a quarter of an inch.

Put your hand inside the stocking lining and push it into the outer layer of the stocking. You will need to match the top and side seams together.

Pin the outer and inner stocking pieces together around the top seam.

Sew the seams together with a seam allowance of about half a centimetre or one-eighth of an inch.

To make the cuff, just turn down the top of the stocking.

Step 6 – Add a ribbon bow to finish

To finish off the Christmas stocking, tie a small bow around the hanger and let the ribbon hang down the side of the stocking.

That's it! Now you know how to make a Christmas stocking from scratch! Wasn't that an easy tutorial to follow?

Watch it on YouTube

If you would rather watch a video tutorial, you can find this project on YouTube here:

How to make a Christmas stocking - YouTube video tutorial.

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If you enjoyed learning how to make a Christmas stocking with me and would like more inspirational ideas, be sure to visit all of my blogger friends taking part in this Christmas blog hop today.

See how to make these Christmas Stockings from an old tablecloth from Cindy at Cloches & Lavender. She shares how to tea stain the fabric for a vintage look and how to add iron on vintage transfers. These are easy to make using washable fabric glue. She also shows how she added the tops to these Christmas stockings using edges from an old table runner and old stockings. There is a FREE stocking pattern also included.

Kippi at Home teaches us how to make your own gorgeous Christmas Stockings. This easy tutorial includes a stocking pattern and how-to video.

These personalized Christmas stocking name tags by Janet at A Life of Balance can be made to fit any décor style you want. Great tutorial for an easy way to personalize Christmas stockings.

Learn how to make a Boho style Christmas stocking with fringe and tassel embellishments from Meegan at What Meegan Makes. Beautiful for decorating or gift-giving.

These elegant Christmas Stockings from Zucchini Sisters are budget-friendly yet look very high end! The tutorial for a black velvet Christmas stocking includes how to line the stocking, make a cuff and a hanger.

Looking for tags for your Christmas stockings? Make these beautiful wooden stocking name tags from Olivia O'Hern.

These posts are good too!

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