Cutting out
Step 1
From the lining fabric cut 24 pairs of stocking lining.
Step 2
From the quilting weight cottons cut 24 pairs of stocking outers.
Before cutting, decide how many stockings you would like to make in each of the fabrics. If your fabric has a directional print, make sure you cut the fabric so that the pattern will be the same way up on both layers.
Draw out your chosen number of stocking shapes, fussy cutting if desired to highlight a particular part of the fabric design. Cut out, keeping the pairs together.
Step 3
Pair up each patterned pair of stocking shapes with a lining pair.
Assembling the stockings
Step 1
Open out a lining pair and an outer pair. Lay the lining pair right side (RS) up on your work surface and lay an outer piece on top of each RS down. Pin each pair along the top straight edge.
Step 2
Sew along the top straight edge only of each pair, 1cm (3⁄8in) in. Unfold each pair along the seam and press.
Step 3
Cut a strip of ric rac trim measuring 8cm (31⁄8in) long and a piece of ribbon 9cm (35⁄8in) long. Lay out one of the lining/outer pieces RS up.
Fold the piece of ribbon in half to form the loop that will hang up the stocking. Place the folded ribbon on top of the outer side of the fabric, so that the cut ends line up with the back of the stocking shape (i.e. not on the toe side). The ribbon should sit approx 1.3cm (5⁄8in) away from the seam, at a 45-degree angle with the looped end pointing towards the lining fabric.
Add a couple of tiny stitches by hand at the cut ends of the ribbon loop, just to keep it in place. Also place the ric rac trim across the outer part of the fabric, roughly 1.5cm (5⁄8in) away from the seam.
Step 4
Take the other outer/lining piece and lay it on top with the RS down. The two outers should now be on the same side, as should the lining pieces.
Step 5
Pin all the way around the edges, making sure to pin the ric rac in place.
Step 6
Starting on the lining side, sew 1cm (3⁄8in) in around the edges of the shape, leaving a 3-4cm (11⁄4 - 15⁄8in) turning gap on the lining side.
Trim the seam allowance down to 3mm (1⁄8in) so that the curves will be smooth and the seams won’t be too bulky.
Step 7
Turn the stocking RS out through the turning gap in the lining, making sure the ric rac ends up on the front of the stocking – if all your stockings will have their toes pointing left, make sure the ric rac is on the front when the toe points left.
The ric rac is only held in place at the sides, so it’s easy to tuck the outer through and swap sides if it starts out on the WS. The ribbon hanging loop should be pointing towards the lining and sticking out at a roughly 45-degree angle.
Step 8
Sew the gap you left in the lining closed. As the seam allowances have been trimmed down, a machine zigzag stitch will close the gap and ensure the edges do not fray.
Step 9
Tuck the lining down into the outer and press the stocking. Repeat these steps to create the remaining stockings.
Finishing off
Step 1
Lay out all of the finished stockings and decide which order you would like them to be in. Play around with the different patterns and colours to see how they work together.
Step 2
Using a small paintbrush, apply a little craft glue to the back of each number and carefully place it onto the ric rac towards the right-hand side. Leave to dry.
Once dry, check all your numbers are secure and add more glue if necessary. If you prefer, you could stitch your numbers in place instead.
Step 3
String up the assembled stockings – depending on your space, you might want to hang them in one long line, two rows of 12, four rows of six, etc.
Once you have decided on your preferred layout, pass the length of twine through the loops of the stockings, ensuring that the stockings all have their toes pointing the same way.
