Stocking #4

The last one, for now, is for the hubby. And, unlike his short, stocky stocking, he is really long and lean, but oh well. I followed the same directions from stocking #1, but did a little more appliqueing following stocking #2. Short and simple.

Stocking #3

This one is for me. It might be from the extra holiday pounds, but for my stocking I just wanted long and thin. I also decided to go with a more organic piecing strategy. I simply sewed each scrap together as is, no straightening of the lines until it was long enough to completely cover my pattern. I then followed the steps from Stocking #1 and added a button. You can buy these coverable buttons at almost any craft store, even Walmart carries them. There are two metal brackets, one with teeth to grab your fabric as you stretch it over. Then the second metal piece just pops in place to hold it all together. Now I wish I had chosen a contrasting fabric to help my button standout a little more, but I don't think you can recover them. Anyone know? Regardless I am starting to feel a little skinnier at heart.

Stocking #2

Stocking #2 is for my always wants to wear a dress and look like a princess daughter. I think it's nice and girly. I used just two fabrics for this one, the polka dot and a printed striped material with little messages written between the lines. I followed the same basic step process as stocking #1 but added the circle applique down the side.For the applique I used one of my favorite products Heat'n'Bond. You can buy it at most fabric stores. They have a no-sew and a sew-able option. I always use the sew-able option as I like the look of the stitching and get really bugged at future pealing that I feel is inevitable. Simply follow the directions on the package (I'm not going to walk you through those steps as there are probably different brands with different instructions). Once you have cut out your shape and ironed it the exact right spot I use the blind-hem-stitch to create a defined border and attach it at the same time, but really you could use any stitch. And that is that. any questions?

Stocking #1

I decided not to make my son a monster stocking, regardless of the pancake mix, so as not to label him as a two year old terror for the rest of his Christmas life. I instead did a simple striped patterns of some "boyish" scrap material and am rather pleased with the result. It was a quick project and totally unique. Step #1 make your pattern (click here for any help in the matter)

Step #2 assemble your scraps, making sure they are long enough or wide enough for your design

Step #3 sew you scraps together, they will not look like a stocking at this point, but should be bigger all around than your pattern

Step #4 pin on your pattern and cut it out

Step #5 cut out your stocking back (I just used a solid piece of fabric for mine)

Step #6 if you want a fuller or puffier look to you stocking you can also cut out a piece of fleece to line the inside as I did.

Step #7 make a loop of fabric for hanging. I just double folded a scrap and zigzagged it together.

Step #8 make your stocking sandwich with your loop in the center (position at an angle pointing up) the right sides of you front and back pieces together, with your fleece on the outside.

Step #9 Sew it all together and serge off raw edges if desired.

Step #10 turn right side out and fold in a half inch hem and sew.

Now you are done! A project this simple doesn't seem like it should have 10 steps, but there you have it.

Monster Stockings

Saw these online and it just made me laugh. Unfortunately everywhere I found the picture it didn't attribute where they originally came from. So, if anyone knows please comment. The originator needs some credit, because these are great! I was thinking one of these monster stockings would be very fitting for my two year old after he dumped pancake mix in my living room.
For all the lovable monsters in our lives, human or other wise.

Stocking Patterns

Today I am thankful for a gas fireplace and 4 wheel drive. With just a flip of the switch I have added warmth and ambiance. With just the turn of my driving wheel I actually turn, unlike many other drivers who start skating into the intersection as they brave the drenching snow storms. My couch is now vibrating as another snow plow goes by, or is it my kids jumping upstairs?

Christmas is sneaking upon me this year. I haven't bought or started a single gift. There isn't a Christmas tree yet. And not a single holiday decoration is up in my house, except for the couple of Halloween pumpkins that haven't found their way out yet. So today! Goals for today are all of the above, starting with my Christmas stockings.

For my patterns I use grocery adds. I choose them for several reasons. First they are a glossy print so the ink doesn't transfer to my fabric. Two, I don't have to buy anything. Three, they fold nicely. Four, I can multi task grocery sale shop while I work.

Things to remember when cutting out your pattern:

1. after drawing on your pattern remember to add your 5/8 inch seam allowance before cutting them.

2. You can do just one pattern, but you don't have to. I did three. One long skinny one for me, One short stocky one for my husband, and One average sized and shaped one to use for the kids'.

3. Before you pin your pattern to your fabric decided if you want your stockings to all point the same direction and cut accordingly.

4. If you mess up, or don't like your pattern just recycle it and start again.

A little stocking inspiration

If you thought there were rules to Christmas stockings, well, you were wrong. Can stockings be modern? Can they be different shapes and sizes? Can stockings use colors other than red and green? Can you show personality in a Christmas stocking? And of course the answer to all of these questions is "Yes!"There are really only two questions you need to ask yourself before starting this project.

#1 What style do you like?

Are you a traditionalist, modern, country cozy, or a little of everything? Just look around your house for the answer to this one, because your stockings should match your style. It wasn't until our fourth Christmas as a family that the stockings finally felt important. It was also our first Christmas with a baby and so I'm sure I felt a need to provide the appearance of family traditions even though she wouldn't remember it. And being a first time Mom I did what most of us do and brought the first stockings I found. They happened to be at the grocery store and looked like it. I then sold them for a dollar at our summer garage sale . . . just to solidify another family tradition. Moral of the story is make something you like and will love in years to come. Or just keep making new ones you like and have a garage sale.

#2 What fabric do you already have?

Hopefully the scraps of fabric you have you like. Please don't buy fabric you don't like. Really, with the endless selection there is out there you have no excuse. So, pull out the scraps you have and love and use them for your stockings. Anything goes! You'll see, I used some grey herringbone fabric on mine. And your stockings don't have to match each other either, just like pillows on a couch, when they hang together they go together. They can be patch worked or solid pieces. Anything goes!

And if I were to add a third question I guess it would be "What can you do?" Do you appliqué? Do you stencil or stamp? Do you quilt? Because...really, anything goes.

December's Project & the Chinese New Year

This is indeed my first appearance of the month. I have been hiding behind massive piles of boxes, furniture, and junk. Those of you who have done it before will know what I am talking about...the dreaded move. Our house went on the market last night. What makes this move a little more challenging (advise please!) is that we are moving to China and basically need to sell, give away, or finally give up and trash everything we own. There have been some bitter sweet moments for sure. Getting rid of stuff is very liberating...and that's what I keep telling myself over and over, "It's just stuff." But on the flip side I really like some of our stuff and have great memories attached to it. I will, of course, be keeping my sewing machines. They will be my carry-ons on the big day (that means my kids will just have to walk), but for now they are sitting on the top shelf of a closet with no sewing table in sight (it is in the "to sell" pile). Now that all the major work on getting the house ready to sell is done I am hoping to be able to bring the sewing machine down and do a little Christmas sewing. Which brings us to December's project!

This will be a no pattern, use up all of your scrap fabric kind of a project. That means that every one's projects will be totally and completely unique. I can't wait to see the results. There will be no give away this month, as the goal is to use up what you already have, consider it a Christmas gift to Mother Earth. See below for a little inspiration.