It's All Up To You: "Christmas Stockings"

December's theme is "It's All Up To You", which is always fun and exciting to see what the Lumin Fabrics Ambassadors will conjure up. I had some different ideas, but decided to make some Christmas stockings.

I wanted to use a Geode Glow strip pack that I received from Lumin Fabrics in my July box. The collection is quite elegant and reminds me of royalty, Jesus and Christianity.

I went to a local dollar store and purchased a Christmas stocking, which I cut a part.

Next, I traced the stocking outling onto pattern tracing material. I added a quarter-inch around the outline and this became my stocking template.

I marked an "X" on the right side of each of the two templates. I measured the two templates side by side and determined that 21" x 24" would be a good size to make my stocking "quilt" that I was going to need. In the end, I made my stocking quilt larger, so that I could make two stockings. I decided to randomly sew strips together, which I cut into

2-1/2" units. I used Aurifil 50 weight thread to sew with; Schmetz needles and my Oliso mini Pro iron.

After my strips were sewn together, I longarmed my stocking quilt, using Hobbs batting and a piece of muslin.

My idea was coming closer to fruition! I strategically placed the stocking templates on the stocking quilt, to make sure that I would have enough room for four stocking pieces. After I cut out my four stocking pieces, I sewed the units together, to make the two stockings.

I used Boysenberry for the lining and a Pellon 911ff interfacing. I ironed the interfacing onto the batik and then I used my template to cut out the stocking lining pieces. I sewed two stocking linings together, but don't forget to leave an approximately 3" or larger hole at the bottom of your lining, so that you can turn the stocking right side out.

I used Lumin Fabrics Champagne for the stocking cuff. I ironed another piece of Pellon 911ff interfacing inside the cuff.

I wanted to cut letters from a die cut that I had, but I realized the the letters were going to be way too big! The names will come later; I'm thinking maybe some applique or how about some rhinestones! I made two stocking hangars from another 2-1/2" strip of Geode Glow. I ironed the strip in half, then ironed the ends into the middle and finally, folded and ironed both sides together. I stitched down the edges and cut the hangars 8".

It was time to assemble the stocking. The layers can be thick and difficult to sew through, so I would definately recommend using a Jeans needle and the dual feed function on your sewing machine, if you have it. The lining folded over the top seam and it looked liked a binding, so I left it that way. I did sew it down to give it a finished look.

My stockings are done and I am happy with how they turned out. I have ten 2-1/2" Geode Glow strips to make a third stocking and I already have an idea of a design! I really like this idea, because you can make a larger stocking quilt and make stockings for all of your relatives!

It's been a great Lumin Fabrics / Island Batik Ambassador year, with lots of amazing and creative projects made by all of the Ambassadors.