Tuesday 27 November 2012

Big Tutorial + Giveaway: Christmas Stocking!

~ by Kendal



Hello, and happy nearly December to you!


I honestly don’t think I have ever been so excited about Christmas/Yule. We cannot wait until the 1st December hits and I can finally put up all the decorations and festive bits and bobs I’ve been gradually making. (Although I did sneakily change over our Seasons Table today…)

To get into the festive spirit, we will be giving away this lovely, hand-embroidered stocking for a Mama.  I thought that this Giveaay should be about celebrating how much a Mama does at this time of year. If you are a Mama, then you deserve a lovely stocking all to yourself, or maybe you just know a Mama who you’d like to give this too. To be in with a chance of winning this stocking, just leave a comment after the post telling us what your favourite Yule tradition is. (Winner will be picked using random number generator on Friday at 7pm)

I'll also be showing you how to make your own, completely personalised stocking, since handmade stockings are just so lovely. They are surprisingly easy, can be totally customised and do not require much in the way of sewing skills. A machine is handy for securing the back and front together, but you can just use a blanket stitch instead if you don’t have one.

I have four to make (oh yes, baby Ezra is getting one too!), and have done two so far. So!

All you need is:

Felt of different colours (I used felt that was a mix of wool and acrylic)
Embroidery thread
Buttons
Ribbon for hanging

1. First of all, you need to decide what size and shape you want your stocking to be. I went for a fairly big, standard shaped stocking and drew it out on tracing paper. With your felt folded in half, draw around your stocking, then pin together the felt and cut. You should have two stocking shapes!



 2. Next, you’re going to create the white collar at the top. Using your stocking as guidance, place it ontop of your tracing paper and draw around the top and sides. Stop when you get to the point your collar will end. Draw a horizontal line across and cut this out, then fold together your white felt, pin and cut out two stocking tops from your tracing paper template.

3. Now, this is the fun part. You get to decide what you want on your stocking! I’ll show you two examples of other stockings later, but for this Mama one I decided I wanted winter flowers and then some embroidered ‘doodle’ lines. So, I sketched a few flower shapes until I came up with one I likes, and decided I was going to use green and white felt for this.


4. I decided on 5 flowers, so using a template I drew on tracing paper, I cut out 5 white flower parts and 5 green flower parts. Easy. Now to sew them on!

5. Place your flowers where you want them to be, and either make a mental note or take a photo. 



Then, sew one green flower on.


I used a split stitch to outline the green flower, and then I placed the white flower on top and used a simple running stitch to stitch that on. Then, I placed a white button in the middle and sewed that on securely. Repeat with four other flowers!


 6. When you’ve done that, you can doodle on some fun embroidery lines to  create swirling stems and add some extra prettiness. I used a running stitch and white embroidery thread and, drawing down where I wanted the lines to be roughly first (on a piece of paper, for guidance), I sewed them on to the stocking.


7. Now, we need to embroider ‘Mama’ onto the white collar. There are lots of ways to do this. I simply sketched the word onto paper first so I had a bit of guidance, and then I very lightly wrote it on the felt with pencil. Barely visible kind of light, so that when you stitch on top, you won’t be able to see it. Remember to leave room at the top, bottom and sides of the felt for further stitching. I used a split stitch to create the word so that it had a nice thick line to it.


8. Once I was done, I used my machine to sew the stocking together. Place right sides together and pin, then sew all around the edge (apart from the top, obviously – we need a gap for gifts!). 



Snip small ‘v’ shapes into any curved seam allowances, then turn right side out, smoothing and pressing with an iron (dish towel between your iron and felt to stop burning)




9. Now, you’re going to blanket stitch both sides of the collar, making sure that it fits flush with the stocking. Because we used up ½ inch or so of your stocking at each side as a seam allowance when we sewed the front and back together, you should now have just enough extra collar at each side to sew a nice blanket stitch up it.




10. Once you’ve done this, you want to sew a piece of ribbon onto your stocking with which to hang it. A nice chunky ribbon works well. You can machine stitch it if you want or just hand sew but make sure you make it extra secure and tight. The collar will go over any visible stitches.



11. Now, you’re going to place your collar over your stocking and blanket stitch all the way round the top, until it is securely sewn on. Repeat at the bottom of the collar, but just to edge it – you don’t have to sew it onto the stocking, just tidy up the edge and make it a little sturdier.


12. Admire. Hang it up. Put lovely gifts in it.



Here are some other stockings I've done too - Hopefully you can see how easy it is to customise a basic stocking and make it as personalised as you want!



(Howard's stocking, with simple Yule trees sewn on)


(The start of our Winter Seasons Table...)


38 comments:

  1. Very pretty! The children have beautiful handmade stockings, but I still haven't made one for me.

    My favourite Christmas traditions, well, um, all of them! I love making decorations together. Making a Jesse Tree every year. Following the Waldorf traditions for the four weeks of advent. Opening new PJs on Christmas Eve. I am a collector of rituals. I couldn't pick just one, so we do them all!

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  2. Oh that is simply gorgeous! Do you sell these too? It's very Waldorfy!! I love it!

    My favourite Yule tradition is going for a walk on the Solstice and lighting a candle upon our return, theb having a beautiful dinner. So exciting!

    Nikki

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    1. I do Nikki - I have a few on order right now so can't take too many more - hopefully you'll win it and won't need to order one but do let me know if you'd like to :) You can find me at MamaMake on Facebook.

      -Kx

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  3. I'd love to win this...it is so nice, I love the details. Definitely the nicest handmade stocking I've seen!

    I love taking my wee ones to see Santa as they get so excited and we make a real day of it Xxx

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  4. My favourite thing about Christmas is being together with all the family! It very rarely happens through out the year with everyone being busy. But most of all seeing my little boys eyes light up with the excitement of Christmas and opening his presents. The stocking is great!! X

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  5. I love homemade things at christmas x

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  6. The stocking is fab. I love christmas because i have all my family round and my 3 gorgeous grandkids and love to see their faces when they open all their presents. Also love having the grandkids round to bake and make things for christmas, we have a great time.

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  7. My favourite thing about christmas is seeing the look on my daughters face when she comes downstairs on xmas morning and sees the presents under the tree. Fantastic x

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  8. my favorite thing is all the love that comes, people appricating what they have and in thee morning me and my family been together happy♥x

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  9. See my little girl face when she open her presents

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  10. My favorite thing is seeing my little girl face on Christmas morning opening all her presents and all the family Bern together for one day so much love x

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  11. This is BEAUTIFUL. You are one talented lady. I love your attention to detail in all the things you make, you can clearly see your clothes and items are such beautiful quality!

    I love Christmas Eve and opening out Christmas jammies Xxxxx

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  12. Oh my gosh I love the stocking and your nature table! So creative! How did you learn how to do the tables like that?

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    1. Hi Sarah,

      I think the first place I came across the idea (like so much!)was on SouleMama's blog, and her book, The Creative Family, but since then I've come across lots of books and blogs and people who do it too, and it is certainly something that is very central to our home!

      I think Emi is doing a Crafty Tutorial tomorrow related to Seasons Tables so keep an eye out for that!

      I love that you can be as creative and abstract as you want with them :)

      -Kxx

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  13. Also oops I love the looks on my children's faces on.Xmas morning that's my fave thing about it. Xx

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  14. That's gorgeous! Sadly I have literally no sewing skills whatsoever - I don't know what running/blanket/split stitches are, loltimes! I'm getting a real urge to attempt knitting though!

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    1. Thanks Arianne! They're really super simply sewing stitches you use when you embroider. If you google any of them it'll take you to some very easy instructions but I guarantee, it'll take you all of a few minutes to learn all of them together.

      I am really getting into knitting at the moment - a good friend is teaching me lots of things and I *love* it - possibly more than sewing, and I never thought I'd say that! It's so very satisfying!

      -Kxxx

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  15. my special festive time is always christmas eve when first I take my lovely grandchildren to christingle then i read Twas the night before christmas to them before bed, I then go to our local hospital and sing carols to those who are unfortunate enough to be in for christmas, I then go to church for midnight communion this makes my ideal christmas xx

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  16. Sharon Waddington28 November 2012 at 00:17

    Is been woke up by my son take him down stairs & c in is face light up I couldnt care if I didn't have anything my kids r my Christmas present & my life yr stocking is fab by the way

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  17. Do u know the best thing about xmas is when family all get together parents, children (that r grown up) and their kiddies. The food, the mess and the mayhem. Xx

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  18. The best thing about christmas is the look off sheer surprise when the kiddies realise what they've got , carn't put a price on that ,x

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  19. i do, i do! my favourite thing is being able to celebrate the most magical time of the year with the people i love the most, to live out the old traditions, and to create our own new ones. x

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  20. christmas is a time to bring all your nearest and dearest together , eat drink and play silly games , laugh and cry at old films , ohh and eat lots of chocolate lol x

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  21. Please can I enter your competition! This stocking looks brilliant. I love Christmas music and thinking of things to buy and make for people. I think my favourite tradition is making reindeer food with my children.

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  22. Beautiful stocking! Favourite Christmas tradition is making pomanders. The oranges and cloves make the house so festive. Reminds me of childhood, though I get no less pleasure from it now than I did 20 years ago!

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    1. Rhi we will be making those too! In other chat...festive coffee soon?!
      -Kxx

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  23. I am really impressed with your blog, I'd love to try making this but I doubt it'd turn out as well. I hope I win it otherwise I will have to place an order!!! Its stunning.

    I love the food at Xmas best xx

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  24. I'm not a Mama but I really want that stocking, it's beautiful!

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  25. The stockings are lovely, it is generous giveaway, I would love to win the mama one, thank you for the chance! I love Yule, Autumn books are away and Winter ones out in this house and plans are being made for December. One of my very favourite things to do is have a bonfire on the Winter Solstice and have play some music and sing some songs with friends, we're in a new city this year so it will be extra special sharing it with the new people in our life, and then doing it all again back home with family and old time friends. I like to write out a few things to let go of from the year past and burn it in the fire and I look forward to sharing that tradition with my son when he is older!

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  26. Christmas, family, food, presents what more can I say happy Christmas everyone x

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  27. Oh dear Kendal this is beautiful, and so reflective of your style. Elegant yet simple, and expertly made.

    I've been catching up with your last few posts this morning on the way to work and now I miss you greatly. I promise I will visit you soon.
    You are an inspiring and incredibly talented lady. It is not surprising at all people try to copy you!

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  28. Aw my dear this time of year holds so many sparkling memories for me! Visit us anytime, you're always welcome, and then we can stay up to the wee hours talking.

    Thank you for your lovely post and for patiently listening to my rants yesterday. It was a full moon! We have big plans for the new year and we may even do some collective making!

    -Kxx

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  29. I wish I'd seen this earlier - I was looking for a stocking like this for ages. It's gorgeous! What a great giveaway and a fab idea. You should definitely sell these in advance next year, you'd do so well!

    My favourite thing about Christmas is getting everything ready the night before and waiting to seen the look on my kid's face!
    Rosie

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  30. Jordan Butterfield30 November 2012 at 09:29

    My favourite thing about Christmas is, very simply, being with family. Especially after last year when my mother, my brother and I all flew from the UK to the Us to be with the many family members that still live in New Hampshire. It was my niece's first Christmas - she was just three weeks old and looked especially beautiful dressed in green velvet and some red - and what's more my grandmother visited from Arizona. So it was an unprecedented coming together of family from all over the world. Those of us who were around before that year hadn't been together at Christmas for seventeen years. Almost forgot: my grandfather and his partner were also living with my aunt at the time, so they were there, too! And my other aunt and uncle from the west of the state! It was a truly great Christmas.

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  31. I have so many happy memories of my own family's traditions at Christmas, I can't wait to dust these off again, and create some new ones too! I want to make it truly magical for Edward and Imogen, and the gifts are just a tiny part of that :-) . Lovely work, Kendal x

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  32. Beautiful Stockings, yet another one of your makes I want to have a go at! I just love all of the festive season (apart from the consumerism/commercial aspect), the warmth, happiness, handmaking things for loved ones, the excitement and anticipation, from advent purses to filled stockings christmas morning. The best bit has to be that priceless look on my girls faces when they see the gifts under the tree and in their stockings christmas morning. Its all just so magical, love it :)

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  33. I adore this, got a lot of old school charm to it! I'd love to give this to my Mum.

    My favourite thing about Christmas is having family around and spending so much time together

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  34. Toni Utley - you have won the stocking!! Please PM me on facebook to let me know your address and I will post it off either tomorrow or on Monday!

    Many thanks to everyone for entering

    Kendal xx

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