Hello sew-friends! Today, I have a simple variation on my Christmas Stocking sewing pattern. Last year, I found two quilted pillow shams and I decided to upcycle them into personalized Christmas stockings. The shams were a plain white color and I decorated them with freehand embroidery and chain stitched names.
My Christmas Stocking pattern includes four sizes and for these I used the medium size for these. Two pillow shams was enough for two stockings and the lining. Because the quilted fabric is thicker, I decided not to include the cuff. When sewing, I just skipped making the cuff and finished the raw edge with bias binding. (If you don't want to do the bias finish, I have another tutorial for a Quilted Stocking that has detailed instructions and illustrations. Click here to read that tutorial.)
Tips for stitching the embroideries
If you're having trouble threading the needle with the yarn, roll the end of the yarn between your fingers. This will help make the end of the yarn thinner and bind the fibers together a little.
Don't leave any gaps between stitches. When making the backstitch, put the needle down in the same place where the previous stitch ends. This creates a fuller, continuous line.
I had better accuracy making just one stitch at a time, rather than trying to put my needle down in one spot and up in another in one stitch. It's slower but, for me, prettier.
When stitching a curve, you can use a slightly smaller stitch to get a smoother line.
If your yarn starts to twist, let go of the needle and raise your fabric in the air. Let the yarn and needle hang down from the fabric. Gravity will help release the twists.
When you're done stitching, weave the ends through the stitches on the back side of the fabric.
How to Make Personalized Embroidered Christmas Stockings
TOOLS & SUPPLIES (Some links below are affiliate links)
Quilted Fabric
Lining Fabric
Hanging Loop
Embroidery thread
Thread
Machine sewing needle
Sewing machine
STEP 1: Buy the pattern and print out your desired size. Cut out the stocking body, lining and hanging loop.
Click here to learn how to make your own Quilted Fabric.
STEP 2: Embroider the name
For my names, I used the free font Motherline as a guide. On my computer, I typed out the name and scaled it to fit the stocking about 3.5 inches from the top. Then I printed the name IN REVERSE.
To transfer the design to my fabric, I colored over the REVERSED letters with a Transfer Pencil. Then I positioned the paper face down on the fabric and ironed. I embroidered along the line of the letters using a chain stitch.
STEP 3: Embroider the decorative elements
For the branches and berries, I used a wash away fabric pen and free hand drew the branches onto the fabric. I stitched the branches with a straight stitch and added French knot berries.
STEP 4: Sew the stocking
Finally, sew the exterior stocking pieces right side together. Repeat with the lining. Trim and clip the seam allowances.
Place the lining inside the stocking with wrong sides together. Baste through all layers along the top edge. Baste the hanging loop with the loop down to the stocking (either inside or outside).
STEP 5: Attach the bias binding edge
Cut a piece of bias binding equal to the circumference of the top of the stocking, plus a seam allowance. Sew into a loop and stitch the binding to the top edge of the stocking. For mine, I stitched one layer of binding down then turned the binding over the raw edge, folded in the edge of the binding and hand stitched in place.
If you want to make a loop of bias binding with an angled seam, I have a tutorial on my Substack Sewing With Numbers that will teach you how to calculate it. One note, my stocking was pretty thick so the interior and exterior circumferences of the opening were different. I'd go with the smaller measurement and let the fabric stretch a little to fit.
I hope that you enjoy this project. It’s such a nice way to personalize your holiday decor and give your stockings an extra personal touch. Happy sewing!
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