Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Christmas in July Hop: Stocking Tutorial!

I'm over at Windham's blog again this week, taking part in their Christmas in July blog hop. If you've followed my blog at all, it should come as no surprise that I chose to make a stocking; I've made stockings for my immediate family, all of my nephews and nieces, as well as my sister and brother-in-law and sister-in-law and brother-in-law (see them here). Each family's stockings use different color palettes and have a slightly different look as I've experimented with various designs. One thing they all have in common? Color! So I was excited to work with the Glisten collection by Whistler Studios. It's all gold and silver with metallic accents--a little more sophisticated than what I've used for stockings in the past. 

I couldn't stop with just one stocking, though, so I created a second one (fat quarter bundles are great for making multiple stockings!) and am sharing the tutorial here, on my blog. Enjoy! Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of my post to find out how you can win a fat quarter bundle of Glisten! And don't forget to visit Windham's blog to see my second stocking tute!


Here's a look at the Glisten fabrics:

Materials:
10 fat quarters*
1/2 yard of lining fabric
12" x 22" piece of batting
12" x 22" piece of fusible interfacing
Fabric chalk

*You'll only use a strip or two from many of these fat quarters, so you'll have plenty left to make additional stockings or some other Christmas project!

Let's get started!
Download the template here. You'll have to assemble the three pieces to make the full stocking shape. Then you can decide which way you'd like your stocking to face--I've seen them both ways! 

Lay the stocking template on the batting piece and trace it. This will help ensure that your fabric strips cover the entire stocking shape. 




We'll be assembling this stocking front using improv strip piecing, with the batting as the foundation. I'll list the strip widths I used to piece the stocking front, but you can also use whatever strip widths you'd like--especially with the improv piecing--yours won't look exactly like mine.  The lengths are approximations--just make sure your strip is long enough to cover the stocking outline. Reserve one full fat quarter for the stocking backing. 

Cut one 3-1/2" x 12" gold strip and one 2-1/2" x 12" white/silver snowflake strip. Layer the gold strip right side up on an angle, making sure it covers the bottom of the stocking outline by at least 1/4". Layer the snowflake strip on top, right side down. Pin, and then stitch through all three layers.

Press the strips open.


Add a third strip (mine is a 2-1/2" x 14" fussy cut gold snowflake strip). Here's what the fabric looks like:

I cut the snowflake strip you see here at the bottom to use on the stocking but I love the little houses too!

Lay the strip right side down on a different angle than the snowflake strip. Tip: Always aim for a little more angle than you start with. You want the end result to look like angled improv strips and not strips that you might not have sewed straight!


My next strip is a 4" x 14" ornament strip. Set it on a different angle than the previous strip.


After each strip added, fold the batting back and trim the seam allowance to 1/4".

Add a 2" x 12" gold strip, and then a 4" x 12" fussy cut reindeer strip, continuing to vary the angles and trim excess seam allowance.


Here's a look at the fabric with the reindeer and sleigh on it:




My last three strips are a 2-1/2" x 12" gold snowflake strip, a 2-1/2" x 12" silver strip, and a 4" x 12" gray strip. Tip: Cut your last (top) strip wider than you need it. This gives you some wiggle room to make your stocking slightly taller or to simply square up the stocking top. 




Lay the stocking template on top, making sure the strips cover all the areas under the template. (The stocking shape doesn't have to line up exactly with your original drawn line--that was just a guide.) Pin the template and cut out around the shape.

Your stocking front will look something like this:



Following manufacturer's directions, fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the fat quarter you've reserved for the stocking back. Lay your stocking front on top, right sides together, pin in place, and cut around the stocking shape. You could use the template as well, but I like to use the stocking front to eliminate any possibility of cutting out the backing shape with the stocking toe facing the wrong direction! :)





With the front and backing still right sides together, sew around the stocking with a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving the top edge open. Turn right side out.
Fold the lining fabric in half right sides together. Pin the stocking template on top (direction doesn't matter here!) and cut out the shape. Sew around stocking edge. Leave wrong side facing out.




I cut the stocking binding and loop from the same fabric--the metallic gold. Cut a 2" x 9" piece for the loop and a 2-1/4" x 22" piece for the binding. Press the binding strip in half lengthwise wrong sides together as you would for a quilt. Press the 2" x 9" loop piece in half lengthwise wrong sides together, then open up and fold each long raw edge in to the center fold and press again. Refold on main seam to enclose all raw edges and stitch down the middle. This is your hanging loop.


Tuck the lining inside the stocking so wrong sides are facing. Line up the top edges of stocking and lining, and pin, aligning the seams of both layers. Fold the loop in half and pin raw edges to the lining, just to the back side of the non-toe side seam. 





Stitch back and forth with a scant 1/4" seam allowance to secure the loop (this will all be covered up in the next couple steps). Pin the binding in place, matching raw edges, like you would a quilt. Arrange binding strip so the seam will be on the back of the stocking, near a seam, where it will be least visible. 
Stitch the binding to the stocking layers from the inside of the stocking. This may seem strange, but trust me, it's much easier! Join the raw ends of the binding with a straight seam rather than the traditional angled seam--it's just easier on a project this small. 


Fold the top of the stocking down for easier access and hand stitch the folded edge of the binding to the stocking lining.


After the binding is secure, fold the loop up and stitch back and forth several times where the loop is folded. This will make it more secure and point it in the right direction.

Don't forget to head over to Windham's blog to see their entire Christmas in July blog hop and my second stocking tutorial!

And last but not least, here's a little behind-the-scenes look at my "photoshoot"!

Now for the giveaway!

For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of Glisten, like Windham on Facebook, follow their blog using Bloglovin' and leave a comment here with an idea of what you would do with this bundle. Giveaway is open through Friday, July 24th at 11:59 pm EST.

39 comments:

  1. Very cute stocking (and very cute helpers for your photoshot!). I love the look of Glisten - very nice! Probably would make a runner for the dining room table with it! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Love this line of fabric. So pretty. I would have to make a table runner for my dining room table. It would make the whole room sparkle this Christmas.

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  3. Love your stocking. The fabric is beautiful. I would have to make table settings with it. Thank you for the tutorial and the template. I can imagine how eager the boys were to see an unfilled stocking.

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  4. I had promised my daughter's friend that I would make her stockings for their first Christmas with their new baby boy! In the meantime, we moved, which has raised havoc with my sewing! I was just thinking this morning, since I have gotten about 85% of my craft room things together IN the craft room, I should start thinking about getting those stockings together. I opened up my blog with my internet BFF's listed and opened your blog to find...YAY!!! a tutorial on your beautiful stockings! Great timing, and thank you! Now I will get busy picking out the fabrics!

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  5. What a gorgeous bundle. Thanks for the giveaway. I would make keepsake stockings for the grands. :-)

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  6. i would make a glamorous table topper and napkins for my daughter.

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  7. I would use these beautiful fabrics to make placemats. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  8. I would make a new tree skirt for myself. Thanks.

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  9. I'd make a table runner or maybe a lap quilt!

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  10. So cute, I love the silver and gold. I would love to do some holiday placemats and table runner with them.

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  11. Your stocking is lovely, very creative! I'd definitely make myself something new for my dining room table.

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  12. I think these fabrics would make a lovely tree skirt as well!

    determineddebby at gmail dot com

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  13. I love these fabrics! So different from the usual red and green - I'd like to make some placemats for christmas dinner :) (have followed on fb and bloglovin) x

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  14. Love these. I think I would try making a stocking like yours.
    Iain.ross30 at gmail dot com

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  15. I would make a Christmas table runner

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  16. Love the stocking, the fabric and a great tutorial. Thanks, Kathy
    kdavis1@centurytel.net

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  17. I think a tree skirt would be nice. Love the fabric for your stocking.

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  18. I follow Windham Fabrics both on facebook and Bloglovin'. With this bundle, I would make a set of placemats for my holiday meals. Gold is a major color in my dining room and it would match perfectly!

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  19. Beautiful stocking. I've always loved the silver and gold holiday colors so this stocking caught my eye. I really love it. I've needed to make stockings for a few years for everyone in my family so I'm sure if I were to win, at least one stocking would be made using this fabric collection. I would also love to have a table runner using this collection.

    Great tutorials. Thank you.

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  20. I absolutely love this stocking. If I won this bundle, I would make a stocking for my son and his roommate. They both have intellectual disabilities, and I think they would love to have stocking to hang at their place too. dahlgren0609 at gmail dot com.

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  21. This is a lovely collection. I need a new holiday wall hanging and these fabrics would be great.

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  22. I liked on Facebook,and follow on bloglovin.I would make a runner for my piano.the colors are perfect
    Dmac5958@aol.com

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  23. Following their blog. I would make a table runner. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  24. I will probably use your stocking tutorial and use any leftovers for my Christmas quilt. Thanks!

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  25. What a delightful collection of fabric! They would look lovely used in Christmas place mats.

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  26. Very nice stocking and tutorial. :) I may make a table runner with this pretty fabric.

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  27. Darling stocking! The fabric would be cute for a tablerunner. jarvenpa1ne at gmail dot com

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  28. I would make some pretty placemats or a stocking or two. Great tutorial!

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  29. I would love to make Christmas tree ornaments with this lovely fabric! Liked Windham on facebook and follow them on bloglovin: Nicole Sender.
    nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

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  30. Last year I made several Christmas Stocking for my immediate family and my nieces - they loved them!!! If I won this gorgeous bundle I would make a Christmas Tree Skirt!

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  31. I would make some stocking and ornaments. I follow on facebook and bloglovin.

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  32. I am hoping to make a tree skirt this year. :)
    craftyccain@gmail.com

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  33. Oh my gosh, that is STUNNING...I liked her page, followed her blog and I'd love to make some shining pillow cases for our living room pillows with this...and phew...I entered just in the nick of time! Thanks and God bless! ILuvTheEucharist @ aol.com

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  34. Just sneaking in...I would love to make some festive pillows and drawstring bags for gift giving.
    ljridge4511 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  35. Would love to win this bundle! Don't think I would do stockings, but I can see a wall hanging in there. Thanks!

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  36. Would love to win this bundle! Don't think I would do stockings, but I can see a wall hanging in there. Thanks!

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  37. I've got a table runner on my list to make. Cute stocking!! kthurn@bektel.com

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