How to Make Rustic Christmas Stockings

Choosing just the right Christmas stockings to hang from the mantle should be a reflection of each family members' personality or mirror the Christmas decor of the room. No matter what your reason is to create a rustic Christmas stocking, it is an easy project to do and it can be done by using coordinating scraps of material. By making your own pattern and design, these simple Christmas stocking can be made over and over again for each of your loved ones.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard
• Pencil
• Scissors
• 3/4 yard cotton fabric for each stocking
• 1/8 yard cotton fabric for each stocking (for cuff)
• Assorted coordinating fabric scraps
• Embroidery thread

Instructions

1. Make pattern. By using a piece of cardboard or poster board, draw out or trace the pattern of a stocking. Cut out carefully with scissors and place on fabric.

2. Cut out fabric. Place two pieces of fabric or a folded piece of fabric onto the cardboard pattern. Carefully cut out the material according to the pattern. In effort to keep the pieces of material secured while cutting, pin the fabric on to the cardboard.

3. Add embellishments. To add a true rustic touch to the stockings, hand stitch a "patch" on the toe or heel of the stocking by using embroidery thread.

4. Sew. Position stocking fabric right side out and secure with straight pins. Sew a straight stitch just inside of the cut edges.

5. Fray edges. To give the stockings their rustic charm, pull the thread on the edges of the stockings to fray the sides.

6. Sew cuff. Cut out two cuff pieces from coordinating fabric. Sew a straight stitch around the bottom of the two pieces of material. With the right sides together sew a seam attaching the bottom of the cuff to the top of the stocking. Fold the cuff in half and sew the side seam, with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Turn right side out and press with an iron. Fray the bottom of the cuff by pulling the thread of the material.

Tips & Warnings

• These stockings are not as sturdy as the ones made of wool or velvet. Be careful not to overload these stockings made of cotton.