Christmas Stockings How To Sewing Project

Mantle Candy: a Christmas Stocking Tutorial

Basic Christmas stocking tutorial + pattern by Lella Boutique. Fabric is Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics.

I absolutely adore handmade holiday projects. If it weren’t so impractical (and there were more hours in the day), I’d make new stockings every year. It’s THAT fun. There is just something so special about making stockings for the people you love–of course, I love deliberating over the fabric and trim choices to fit each personality!

Basic Christmas stocking tutorial + pattern by Lella Boutique. Fabric is Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics.

I truly believe that they are simple enough for anyone to make so I wanted to share a few tips on basic assembly. Let’s get started!

The first step is to pick out a stocking pattern you want to use. I’ll be demonstrating with my old Twinkle Toes pattern (no longer in print) but I recommend my By the Chimney with Care pattern for a basic pattern stocking pattern.

No matter what Christmas stocking pattern you decide to use, there are three basic components you will need to assemble a stocking:

  • the stocking hanger
  • the stocking exterior
  • the stocking lining (lining should be inside-out with an 4-5″ gap in the side)
Basic Christmas stocking tutorial + pattern by Lella Boutique. Fabric is Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics.

You may or may not have a stocking cuff as well. (If you want to get real fancy, you could also add a stocking cuff with my free Stocking Cuff tutorial here.

Basic Christmas stocking tutorial + pattern by Lella Boutique. Fabric is Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics.

Once you’ve gathered all your components, it’s time to sew them all together.

First, you’ll need the [optional] embellished stocking cuff. Slip the cuff over the stocking exterior, matching up the side-seams and aligning the raw edges at the top.

Basic Christmas stocking tutorial + pattern by Lella Boutique. Fabric is Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics.

Next, pinch the stocking hanger in half. Pin the hanger in place, centered over the side seams of the cuff/stocking, raw edges aligned at the top.

Basic Christmas stocking tutorial + pattern by Lella Boutique. Fabric is Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics.

Slip all of that inside of the stocking lining (right sides together), aligning the side seams and raw edges at the top once again. Pin to hold the layers in place, pinning along the raw edges of the stocking top (do not pin the stocking shut). See why we’ve left a gap in the side of the lining? It’s how we’re going to turn this right-side out in a minute.

Basic Christmas stocking tutorial + pattern by Lella Boutique. Fabric is Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics.

Sew around the stocking opening using 3/8″ seam allowance.

Basic Christmas stocking tutorial + pattern by Lella Boutique. Fabric is Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics.

Now here comes the magic! Bring everything right-side out through the gap in the side of the lining!

Basic Christmas stocking tutorial + pattern by Lella Boutique. Fabric is Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics.
Basic Christmas stocking tutorial + pattern by Lella Boutique. Fabric is Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics.

Fold the raw edges of the lining fabric in about 3/8″ and pin shut. Stitch the opening closed using a needle and thread. (I recommend a ladder stitch.)

Basic Christmas stocking tutorial + pattern by Lella Boutique. Fabric is Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics.
Basic Christmas stocking tutorial + pattern by Lella Boutique. Fabric is Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics.

Tuck the lining into the stocking and you’re all set! They’re ready to be hung on the mantle and stuffed with goodies.

Twinkle Toes stocking by Lella Boutique. Fabric is Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for Moda Fabrics

1 Comment

  1. Unknown

    December 7, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    Just when I needed a pattern I find this thank you! I have to have you on the Modern Sewciety podcast because I have your hearts quilt to feature and I am going to make these because we need new stockings! I will send you an email.

    Thank you!!! for the pattern and for having such great posts that are such an inspiration!

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