January 31, 2022
These cozy sweater stockings added the perfect touch of visual warmth and handmade love to my home this Christmas. I was shocked at how quickly these stockings came together and just how stunning they looked on display! These stockings are easy and very inexpensive to make, and you may just have the supplies on hand or be able to find what you need at a thrift store.
You may be wondering why in the world I am sharing a Christmas décor idea a month after Christmas! If you are like me, December is just insane. I created these cute stockings in December but just did not have time to bring you a blog post. Also, creating Christmas décor in December can be a little stressful. I prefer to spend the end of November decorating for Christmas and then just enjoy Christmas in December. Any projects I can get done ahead of time (several months preferably) help relieve some busyness in December and allows me to enjoy time with my family and friends. Imagine just how delightful it would be to make these stockings ahead of time and then pull them out of your Christmas tub this coming Christmas season!
I used a beautiful Talbots sweater from Goodwill to create this craft. Unfortunately, it was too small for me to wear but just right for this craft. Now is a perfect time to look for some sweaters in thrift stores. You may even have a perfect sweater for this project that just does not work in your wardrobe but would make a lovely sweater stocking. Before you drop off that sweater at Goodwill, consider making a stocking out of it!
Disclaimer: this is my first craft post, so please bear with me! I will try to mention as many details as possible. Also, I neglected to get my camera out as soon as I started this project. I ended up taking some pictures for demonstration purposes with another sweater (pink) just to show you.
Supplies
Stocking pattern (could be a stocking you already own or a pattern from online. I used a stocking I already had)
Old (yet clean) sweater
Painter drop cloth or some other fabric for back of stocking (check what you have on hand before buying new)
Ribbon (for hook)
Sewing Machine
Thread
Pins
Pencil
Directions
1. Take a deep breath, and cut off the arms of the sweater. Either discard or save for another project.
2. Cut the body of the sweater apart on the side seams. (You are separating the front of the sweater from the back of the sweater.) You will also need to cut the top seams that would rest on top of your shoulders as well. Basically, you need two large sweater pieces with as few seams in the middle as possible.
3. Lay your stocking pattern of choice on top of the sweater, and trace around the stocking with a pencil. (Do not over think this like I did. Just keep the nice side of the sweater up facing you, and lay the stocking on top) I would trace about 1 inch out from the edge of the stocking. This will give you room to sew. You could just lay the stocking on top and cut out around the stocking (which is what I did).
4. Take your sweater stocking cut out and lay it on top of the painter’s drop cloth (or whatever fabric you are using). Trace the stocking pattern onto the drop cloth and then cut out. You do not need to leave extra room when tracing this time if using the sweater cut out fabric. So you should end up with two stocking pieces the same size.(I should have taken a picture of the white stocking cut out laying on top of the painter's cloth, but I did not. By using the sweater cut out, you will have matching pieces. If you use the original stocking again as a pattern, you will need to leave about an inch all the way around.)
*Note: If you are using drop cloth for the backing, you do not have to worry about which direction the fabric is facing when you trace and cut. If you are using a fabric that has a distinct front and back, you will need to flip the fabric over so the back side is facing up (right side touching the ground). Lay your sweater stocking cut out on top of the fabric with the pretty side of the sweater facing you. Trace on the back side of the backing fabric and cut out. This way the stocking will be facing the correct direction after you sew the two pieces together. If this is totally confusing to you, I would recommend using drop cloth so you do not have to think about the front and the back of the fabric.
5. Now it’s time to sew the top edge seams of the stockings. Take your sweater piece, and fold it over about a half inch on the top (nice side of fabric onto the back) and sew a basic seam. I would not bother trying to fold over two times to make a “proper” edge. It will get very bulky under your sewing machine. My sweater was a weird shape since the top of the stocking was about the neck of the sweater. It’s not a perfect seam, but at least the raw edges are hidden.
6. Now take your drop cloth (or whatever fabric you chose) stocking piece, fold over the top edge about a half inch and sew a basic seam. Be sure to fold over the top in the correct direction (fold from the outside of the stocking toward the inside of the stocking). You will want the fabric folded down away from the outside of the stocking, coming toward the inside of the stocking. If you are confused about which way to fold over the fabric, maybe the following note will help.
Imagine the stocking already sewn together and the sides of the stockings showing that you would want to see. Fold the tops of the stocking pieces toward the inside of the stocking, and that is the direction you will fold over the fabric and then sew the seams. I apologize for not taking picture of this! I certainly learned a lot about how to write a craft post from this project!
7. Place the right sides of the stockings together (so the ugly sides are showing) and pin the pieces together. Cut a small piece of ribbon (about 5 inches). Fold it over to form a loop, and pin it in the desired corner of the stocking.
8. Starting with the corner where the loop of ribbon is, sew around the edge of your stocking.
9. Turn it inside out. Cut off any stray strings.
10. Display and enjoy!
What crafts will you make ahead for next Christmas?
-Ashley
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