I got some really nice stockings years ago. I tried monogramming them with fusible interfacing and some fabric. It went very bad. The kind you can’t unpick, bad. So sad.
So, last year I got rid of the stockings and decided I would just make news ones this year. Fast forward to the week before Christmas 2012. The stockings were still not made! Yikes. I was tempted to put tube socks out for Santa…
But I pulled through. I honestly, didn’t get a lot of sleep or clean my house very much during the month of December. 🙂 Every spare moment was spent sewing or crafting.
It’s a simple stocking, but I am in love with them.
They are what they look like…
Because I used such large sweaters, I just used the sleeves! You can use the body of a sweater, but by using the sleeves that frees up the body of the sweater for other projects, like maybe a sweater dress or a baby cardigan.Â
Want to make one?
You need:
Thrifted sweater
1/3 yard of lining fabric
ribbon or leather strip
sewing machine (no serger needed)
hand sewing needle
fabric scissors
matching thread
paper, pencil, and paper cutting scissors for pattern making
*I used pictures from making several stockings, so the colors may vary from step to step.
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1. Cut off and cut open your sleeves if you are using an XXL sweater.
2. Create a stocking pattern by tracing an existing stocking or just playing with a shape you like. Remember to include a 1/2 inch seam allowance. I drew a stocking shape true to the size I wanted to end up with, then added the seam allowance when I traced and cut out the stockings.
3. Trace and cut out two sweater pieces and two lining pieces.
4. Sew the sweater pieces and lining pieces to each other, right sides together. Be careful to not stretch the sweater as you sew.
5. Cut the bulk down with pinking shears.
6. Turn the sweater stocking right side out and insert it into the lining stocking (still wrong side out), so that the two stockings are right sides together.
7. Pin the two stockings together, being sure to line side seams up.
8. Sew all the way around, leaving the a small opening on the heel side side of the stocking, right at the seam.
9. Turn the stocking pieces right side out.
**Remember not to stretch the stocking when you sew. The ribbing can make this really tricky. I pushed the ribbing together as I sewed and that helped tremendously.
10. Push the lining stocking into the sweater stocking. Ladder stitch the opening closed. Go here for a tutorial on that.
11. Cut a strip of leather or a length of grosgrain ribbon, sandwich it over the heel side seam, and sew in place.
That’s it! Pretty simple, which is what I love about them.
I was only able to make three this year. I wasn’t able to find sweaters for Natalie and I that I really love, so it’s on the list for next Christmas. Hopefully, I won’t procrastinate as badly. But let’s be honest, I know I will. 🙂
These stockings are adorable! We still don’t have stockings… I ALMOST bought some lame ones on clearance yesterday but even at 75 cents each, I couldn’t bring myself to buy stockings that I didn’t love. I’ll be on the look out for cute sweaters this year!
Delia – everything you do is just fabulous. This is no exception, I love all of the little details you add that make this simply perfect.
Crystalyn – I so know the feeling. I think because we as sewists know we can make something we like better, everything in the stores seems drab or too expensive. At least that is true for me! 😉
Jessica – thank you so much! you are the sweetest.
They are wonderful!! Oh man, trying not to add to my “make for next year” pile, but hmmm… You have such great thrift store clothing restyles-how often do you go thrifting? I love the lining on these too.
And you have gotten some serious mileage out of that green sweater! And why shouldn’t you? It’s the perfect kelly green. 🙂
Awesome! I love the colors…great thrifting! I should do stockings right now, but i know just like you that I will procrastinate…hehe!
Those are really cute! We haven’t even done stockings so far, but if we do eventually I really like these ones!
Those are so fun! I love how they turned out. I made my son’s stocking on Christmas Eve during naptime. I had given up on it, and then just decided to go for it. I left it plain, and before Christmas next year I’ll add his name. 🙂
These are super cute! They would make really cute Christmas gift bags too 🙂
Super cute!! I made our family new stockings out of old wool, plaid skirts and they turned out super cute too!
These stockings are lovely, Delia. Beautiful colour/pattern choices. What always impresses me is that you have such a well-honed sense of your own taste and style and everything you makes fits it. I feel like I could pick out a Delia project from an ID parade no trouble!
PS I've never sewn with jumpers (sorry, sweaters – I'm talking in UK English) but would love to try. How
Thanks for the stocking tutorial & the link to the tree skirt.
I have really bad stockings. Every year I look for some to buy but I never really find any I love. I really want knitted ones… but I have no clue how to knit. So now I just need to find some awesome thrifted sweaters! Thanks so much for this amazing idea.
Thank you Erin! I go maybe once a month. The best time to get sweaters and leather jackets is Spring time. Some thrift stores put those items on clearance. I've gotten a huge leather jacket for 25 cents!
And that green sweater has been a fave. 🙂
A touch of domesticity – what a sweet, thoughtful comment. Thank you so so much! I will definitely consider coming up with a