Merry & Bright Christmas Stocking & Pattern
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How to make a Christmas stocking using scraps of leftover fabric, quilts or even old clothing. Step-by-step picture tutorial and free printable Christmas stocking pattern to use to make your own one of a kind Christmas stocking to use and hand-down through your families generations.
I made these four Christmas stockings to replace smaller stockings we used to use that didn’t hold many of the little things that Santa brought in years past.
I also wanted new larger stockings since the previous stockings I had were red and green and didn’t go with the color scheme in my family room anymore.
To make the stockings one-of-a-kind, I used fabrics leftover from previous projects – you may recognize a few from the sofa slipcovers I made, the door draft stopper, dining room chair covers and a sofa throw blanket.
UPDATE: I made these stockings back in 2012 in the early days of this blog. Since then I have made new cuffs to go over the existing cuffs on the stockings.
Plaid Cuffs – I made these plaid cuffs to the 11″ x 14″ size. Once sewn and attached over the existing cuffs, you can see the pom-pom trim from the existing cuffs showing.
Fur Cuffs I made these cuffs larger than the original 11″ x 14″ cuffs so they would cover the entire cuff as well as the pom-pom trim.
To make the interchangeable cuffs for the Christmas Stockings:
- Cut a new cuff from plaid fabric/fur – 11″ x 14″.
- Fold fabric in half with right sides of the fabric together.
- Sew long raw edges of fabric together, turn the fabric over. Tuck short ends about 1/4″ into sewn cuff and sew closed.
- Use safety pins to attach the new cuff or cover over the existing cuff.
When you make a new cuff this way, there is no damage to the original stocking cuff.
Free Printable Christmas Stocking Pattern
I have included a printable .pdf of the pattern I used. It is in 3 parts.
The finished stocking size is: 8″ wide x 20″ long/
Download free printable pattern here – TOP, CENTER, BOTTOM
No pattern needed to make the cuff for the stocking: To make the cuff: Use a ruler to measure an 11” x 14” rectangle on your fabric.
Printing the Stocking Pattern on Your Printer
If you have trouble printing out the stocking pattern.pdfs to the actual size here is a printing option:
- Open the patterns as .pdfs. and use the % tab to size to 100%.
OR
- Depending on your computer’s browser, you may not be able to print from your browser because that does not give you scaling options. Download the files, then open them and use the “scaling to printable area, then print.
How to Make a Christmas Stocking
supplies needed:
- Fabric for stocking
- Fabric for cuff and hanger. For cuff – cut out an 11” x 14” section from fabric. For hanger – cut a 6” x 3” strip.
- Matching thread
- Print-out of pattern – or use a stocking you already have as a pattern.
- Embellishments – pom-pom trim, pretty pins, ric-rac, jingle bells
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Straight pins
How to Assemble Christmas Stocking Pattern
- Print out the three .pdfs patterns. TOP, CENTER, and BOTTOM.
2. Match up the “X’s” on the pattern and tape together to form the stocking shape.
3. Cut stocking shape out on lines.
4. Place cut-out pattern on fabric and pin.
5. Cut fabric out. (Make sure if you are using a fabric with only one printed side that it is facing the way you want it before cutting.)
How to Sew Christmas Stocking Together
1. Pin right sides together of cut-out stocking.
2. Sew 5/8” seam around sides and bottom. Don’t sew top. Remove pins.
3. Cut an 11” x 14” section from fabric for cuff. Fold in half – long sides together and right sides out.
4. Lay fabric over top of stocking.
5. Match short sides together and pin. It should be about an inch larger than the top edge of the stocking. If it is too wide, you may need to trim.
6. Sew a 5/8” seam along short sides.
7. Press seam open.
If you want to add trim – sew or use fabric glue to attach it all around the bottom edge of the cuff
9. Place cuff – right sides out into stocking.
10. Pin to top edge of stocking.
11. Sew together.
12. Pull cuff out, up, and over top edge of stocking.
To make hanger:
Fold the two long sides of the strip to the center and press, then fold in half. Sew a seam along the folded strip.
Bring two raw ends together to create a loop and pin to the inside seam of stocking. Sew it on using a few rows of stitching for extra hold.
Hang. Mine is the green one with the pretty rhinestone pin. It matches the throw blanket on the sofa in my family room. I only had a little bit of the fabric left over, that is why the cuff is shorter than the other 3.
Are your stockings hung yet, eagerly waiting for Santa to fill them? For many more ideas on how to decorate for the holidays, click to my Holiday Project Gallery.
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What is the finished size of these? I’m using a couple of old worn out quilts of my grandmother’s that have seen better days but have some areas on them that are salvageable. I want to make stockings and other keepsakes out of them for my sisters and me to remember them by. All that to say I want them to be a good usable size. Thank you ?
Hi Lori – Good question.
I will have to add the finished stocking size to the post. When sewn, the stocking from the top of the cuff to the toe is 20″. It is 8″ across the top of the stocking.
If you want to make a larger stocking, you can print each piece of the stocking out at a larger percentage on your printer. Use the printer interface to print at a percentage over 100%. You can only enlarge to the amount that the pattern is not being cut off. If it gets larger than an 8.5 x 11 piece of printer paper, you enlarged too much.
Another option: If you want the stocking larger, print out the pattern at 100% and then use it to make your own larger pattern on pieces of newspaper. To do this, cut out each pattern piece and pin on newspaper, draw around each pattern piece – 1″ or how many inches larger you would like the stocking to be. Make sure you make each enlargement the same amount and then make the stocking following my tutorial.
Used this pattern 2 yrs ago to make four and am using it again to make our new baby and my brother ones for this Christmas! Great template – thank you!
Hi Diane, I usually don’t go to sites like this. Don’t know why, just never really clicked enough times on Pinterest to get to the persons site I guess. There’s just something about you and your site; I just love it and had to comment. I love the stockings of course, but the whole package is very nice as well. I want to say, thanks for working in your gift. You truly are an inspiration. Be blessed :)
Hi Hank – Thank you very much for the nice note and taking the time to tell me you enjoy my blog. I really appreciate it! I love blogging. I feel it was what I was meant to do. I always dreamed about being the editor of a magazine. My blog has given me that dream of being the Editor-In-Chief. XO Happy Holdiays
I am in LOVE!!!!! I can’t wait to make these beauties.
I was wondering about how much fabric these take? I love them and need to make 6, but not sure how much fabric to get? Thank you for the help!!
-Jennifer
Hi Jen – For each stocking you only need about a 1/4 yard of fabric. For the cuffs you can use scraps. The amount you will need will also depend on how wide the fabric you are using is and if there is a one directional design on the fabric. If you are making 6 and your fabric is a solid color or one with an allover pattern you can cut a few of the stockings upside down so you can use every inch of the fabric. Like fitting the stockings on the fabric like a jigsaw puzzle. If there is one directional design, each stocking has to be cut out of the fabric in the same direction.
I used all scraps of fabric to make mine. To make sure you get enough fabric,but don’t buy too much. Print out the pattern, tape it together and take it to the fabric store with you. Once you choose the fabric you will be better able to figure out how much will be needed for each stocking front, back, and cuff.
tKU FOR ” FREE” PATTERN. I SIMPLY HIT PRINT ON MY PC. MOST SITES THAT ADVERTISE AS FREE, PUT US THROUGH A TIME CONSUMMING ORDEAL TO ” DOWNLOAD” PATTERN. I WILL FOLLOW YOUR SITE MORE OFTEN NOW.
The printing issue may be that folks are printing from within their browsers (like Firefox) which doesn’t give the scaling options. Downloading the files, then opening them and “scaling to printable area” should work fine – as it just did for me. Thanks!
Hi Erin – Thanks so much for explaining this. A simple step that many do not know to click or to search for on their computer. I will add it to the post. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.
Thank you! I am going to have a go at making some tartan ones for our country pub. :)
Hi Diane,
Love your tutorial, but I, too, cannot print the pattern to actual size. Could you please email me the pdf?
Thanks so much and keep these great tutorials coming our way!
Denise
I am not sure why it is not working for some. I will send you the .pdfs
Can you email me the pattern also. I can’t find a way to enlarge it on my computer.
I love this!! Super cute! I tried to print out the pattern and it’s coming out really small. I have played with all the settings to get it to print out to the full page but it isn’t working out. Help please. I want to make this for this upcoming Christmas. Thanks so much.
Hi Kimi – Your printer might have a setting on it that needs to be changed so it prints out at 100%. Does a .pdf interface open for you, or does it open up as a Google Doc? If it opens in a .pdf interface -then look on the top toolbar and make sure 100% is selected in the % field. If it opens in a Google Doc. On the bottom right there are a few print symbols. Click on the bracket icon. this should enlarge it to 100%. Every computer is different. Let me know if you still have problems. I can send you the.pdf files through email.
Can you send me a version that will print the correct size. I can’t get the size to print properly. Or the dimensions on each piece of the pattern. Either will work. Thanks
hello! I just printed out the pattern and it was tiny. Can you send me the stocking templates?
Thank you! yours look amazing!
Hi Laura – Does your printer interface give you the option to print to full page or full size? If so, check that and each .pdf will print to fill an 8.5 x 11 sheet of printer paper. If you still can’t print them to full size, let me know I will email then to you.
Thank you!
Such an easy set of instructions to follow! And they’re a perfect size-not huge like other stockings or store-bought ones!
We’re trying to decide if we want to add embellishments or not. I made them in jewel-tones crushed panne with fake-fur-ish cuffs in ivory. Difficult to work with, but end result is so pretty! Thank you so much!
What kind of fabric is this? I love love love it but am a novice and just left the fabric store empty handed..
Hi Lindsay – The fabric on the stocking shown in the tutorial photos is from a quilted bedspread. I made slipcovers out of it and used the scraps from that project to make the stocking. You can buy similar quilts at Home Goods and TJ Maxx. I cut up a vintage candlewicked bedspread to make the others. If you look in the quilted fabric section at the fabric store – you should find some basic colors. Walmart might sell it, too.
Thank You so much for your instructions — you saved my sanity! I have been making these stockings for my daughter-in-law and grandkids from looking at the tradition stockings passed down for 50 plus years, sewed the cuff on wrong, said a few cuss words ripped it out and then headed for a website yours was the first and so helpful — you cleared my mind and I had an ahhh ha moment… Thanks again. dena
Thank you for sharing your patterns. These stockings are precious!!
Hi Susan – I have made lots of stuff in my life and for my blog, but these are truly one of my faves. I always had store bought stockings that were OK, but not quite my style. I made sure last Christmas to make the ones I designed in my head. My girls loved them. Wish I had made them years ago :) Thanks for taking the time to say Hi!
Now this is a perfect tutorial on sewing Christmas Stockings as anyone could ever get, EVER! I know, I used to sew and I was always teaching women how to make their on stockings…. way back when I managed the Drapry/Upholstery Dept in Atlanta with Hancock Fabrics.
I can’t pick a favorite, so I want all of them and more.
I have to do just red and a bit of green again this year, cause I don’t have time or the fabric to make enough new ones. It is only me, but I have 8 fur babies and one just recently FOUND on the street pup I can not keep (trying to find it’s people)…… so no way will I make it for more than the mantle this year.
Love these stockings, favorite has to be the pink one though.
Diane, these are the BEST STOCKINGS on the web this year!!
I’m going to take a break from my traditional ones next year and make some like this. They are fresh, fun and just up lifting!
Thanks Gina – you made my day! I hope my daughters like the stockings. They have not seen them yet and are pretty sentimental about all their Christmas stuff. I hung their old stockings on their bedposts just in case they want them displayed. I hope you have a wonderful holiday. XO
Hi, Diane
These are beautiful! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Hugs,
Vanessa
Such sweet stockings. They’re all just similar and just different enough. I’m reminded of art classes where we learned that repetition and variation is the essence of good design. Just like music or any art.
I love my old sewing machine, too. Although I didn’t inherit it, as you did, it’s been a friend to me for 30 years. My mother used to scoff at the “new fangeled ” sewing machines in the 60’s, saying, “The more features they have, the more things can go wrong.”
Oh I love these happy and very very fun stockings! What great colors, patterns and trim! Thanks for adding a printable pattern too!!!!
This has to be one of my favorite tutorial this Christmas! Hope to see you and your stockings at TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS. Link goes live Wednesday at 8:00 pm! So fun!
I always enjoy a project that uses leftover pieces from other projects, the pom-pom fringe is really fun. Thank you for including a pattern, & as always great instructions & photo’s.
Cover worthy photo of those fab stockings!
This is great! Thanks for the tutorial!!
Nice tutorial, Diane! Love your new stockings. These are on my list to do this coming year so we have a couple of new ones for next year.
Cute stockings! I noticed the slant shank foot on your sewing machine, then noticed the tan color. I’m curious. What model of Singer did you use to make these darling stockings? I want to see your sewing machine! ;) Be blessed! Michelle
Hi Michelle – It is a Singer 301 Slant Needle Sewing Machine from 1956. It was my hubby’s grandmother’s machine. When I married him, it became mine. :) I know it inside and out. It runs beautifully – I would never get rid of it. I found a photo of it for you on ebay. Someone is selling theirs for $199.00 Here is the link – http://compare.ebay.com/like/290810521785?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar