Fancy Holiday Stocking Tutorial

The holidays are finally upon us and we can't wait to decorate! These stockings are the perfect way to add a little cheer to your home. Velvet adds a fancy touch to any decoration but this pattern would be just as fun with printed fabric!

Materials: (Makes 1 Stocking)

3/4 yard each of a lining and exterior fabric  
1 yard of interfacing (if desired)
4" Length of Ribbon or Decorative Cord  
Cutting Mat
Quilting Ruler
Sewing Pins
Foot Template

Pieces to Cut:

Exterior Fabric - (2) Foot Templates
Lining Fabric - (2) Foot Templates & (2) - 9 1/4" x 9 1/4" Cuff Squares

Seam Allowance: 1/2" unless otherwise specified 

Getting Started

To begin, trace your stocking pieces from the foot template. With your fabric folded in half, cut two pieces each from your lining and exterior fabrics. Velvet can be slippery to cut so make sure you take your time cutting out the pieces. For the cuff, cut 2, 9 1/4" x 9 1/4" cuff squares out of your lining fabric. If you are using a lighter lining, you may want to interface it with a lightweight fusible interfacing. (We like SF 101 Shape Flex)

Finally, cut a ribbon 4" long to use as the stocking loop.

Attaching the Stocking Loop:

Once you have your pieces cut and interfaced, it's almost time to sew! Before you start sewing you will want to determine which direction you want the stocking to hang. Depending on which way the toe points, make a loop with your ribbon and pin it 3/4" in from the edge of your back foot lining piece with the loop pointing down towards the heel. You will want the loop on the back side of your stocking so that it hangs evenly! 

Sewing Your Stocking:

It's time to assemble your stocking! Line up your cuff piece with a foot lining so that a side of your square is paired with the top of the foot piece. There should be a slight overhang of your cuff over the top foot. Pin these two pieces with right sides together and stitch with a 1/2" seam allowance. Repeat this process using the opposite side of the cuff rectangle and the matching exterior foot piece. The toes of the lining and exterior should both be facing the same direction once sewn together. 

Once you have attached the exterior and lining pieces to the cuff, repeat this entire process for the remaining foot pieces. Your back piece will be the one that you have attached your hanging loop to. 

Press your seams open.

Next, line up your top stocking piece on your bottom piece with right sides together. It should look like a mirrored image across the cuff once it's laid out. Pin the pieces in place and take care to add a few extra pins around the curves for extra support. 

Make sure to mark a gap with pins or a fabric pen at the sole of the foot approx. 6" wide so that you have room to turn the stocking right side out after sewing. Do not stitch in this area or you will seal up your stocking. After pinning, start at one side of the sole gap and sew up to the cuff with a 1/2" seam allowance. With the needle down, lift the presser foot and turn your fabric at a 90-degree angle so that you are stitching toward the edge of the cuff. Do 2-3 stitches in this direction and turn your fabric 90 degrees again so that you are stitching back up the cuff. 

Continue along at a 1/2" seam allowance until you reach the other side of the cuff. Turn your fabric at a 90-degree angle towards the center of the stocking, stitch another 2-3 stitches before turning back to continue down the exterior fabric. 

Stitch around the exterior foot up to the cuff. Repeat the above steps on the opposite cuff before continuing down the lining foot up to your pre-marked stopping point. Backstitch and break your thread. 

Now it's time to turn your stocking right side out! Pull the fabric out through the hole in the lining sole. Before placing the lining inside the stocking, stitch up the hole left in the bottom using a ladder stitch. Your stocking is almost done!

Finally, tuck your lining down into the stocking and make sure everything is flat and even. Your cuff should be sticking up and folded in half. Fold down the cuff over the exterior and lightly press to keep in place. You just made a stocking!