It’s that time of year again – when Christmas is quickly approaching and you want to make something special for your loved ones. To take your holiday decorations up a notch, why not create homemade Christmas stockings for everyone in the family?
Not only is it easy to do with some basic sewing skills, but creating these festive items yourself will bring about a personalized touch that you won’t get from store-bought options.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step guide on how to sew a Christmas stocking with lining included! From gathering materials to crafting an impressive finished product, keep reading for all the instructions you need to give this delightful DIY project a try.
11 Step-by-step Guidelines on How to Sew a Christmas Stocking With Lining
Step 1: Gather the Necessary Supplies
To get started, you’ll need a few materials to make your stocking. First, choose the type of fabric and lining material you’d like to use: cotton is great for lightweight stockings, while wool orients more towards heavier stockings.
Whichever fabric you’ve chosen, make sure to pick enough of each material to be able to cut out two stocking shapes and lining pieces of equal size. The rest of the supplies required include:
- Thread
- Scissors
- Pins
- a Safety Pin
- Sewing Machine (Optional)
Step 2: Measure & Cut the Fabric
Once you have all your supplies ready, use a measuring tape to measure out the desired length and width of your stocking shape (you can make it more or less depending on size preference).
Make sure to add at least 1/2 inch extra for seam allowance when measuring. Then, use a marking tool or chalk to trace the measurements onto your fabric and cut out both stocking shapes and lining pieces of equal size (you can double-check the sizing by laying each piece over one another).
Step 3: Sew the Stocking Pieces Together
Now that you have your two stocking pieces & lining cut, it’s time to stitch the stocking shapes together. Place the two pieces’ right sides together and pin along all edges.
Then, using your sewing machine (set on a medium-length straight stitch setting), begin by sewing along one side of the stocking shape, pivoting at any corners, then backstitching at the beginning and end of each seam.
Repeat this step with the other side of the stocking shape, making sure to leave a gap at one end (about 4 inches) for turning the piece right side out. But before doing this, trim any excess fabric along the stitched seams.
Step 4: attach Lining Pieces
Once you’ve finished sewing all around your stocking shape, it’s time to add the lining pieces. To do this, place the two lining pieces’ right sides together and pin along all edges. Then, fold the pinned-together pieces in half and cut out a small hole at the bottom corner of one side (this will be used to turn the lining right side out later).
Now, sew around all sides of the lining pieces just like you did with your stocking shape. You should now have two pieces—one stocking shape, and one lining piece.
Step 5: Turn Right Side Out & Iron
This step is all about turning your stocking pieces in the right direction and giving them a nice, finished look. To do this, reach into the gap you left for turning at one end of the stocking shape and pull it out so that both sides are now facing outward.
Then, use an iron and ironing board to press down the seams with steam heat (this will give your stocking a more polished look). Finally, hand stitches the gap shut with a needle & thread.
Step 6: Insert Lining into Stocking Shape
Now it’s time to assemble the two pieces together! To do this, turn the lining inside out and slide it inside of your stocking shape so that both right sides are facing each other. Then, carefully align the top edges together and pin all around the circumference.
Although it may seem tight, make sure to leave at least 1/2 inch of the stocking fabric beyond the lining’s edge. This is the seam allowance and will be used to sew the two pieces together. It’s important to leave room for the seam allowance so that your lining fits properly inside your stocking shape.
Step 7: Sew Around Top Edges
Using your sewing machine (with a medium-length straight stitch setting), begin by sewing along one side of the stocking shape, pivoting at any corners, then backstitching at the beginning and end of each seam.
Make sure to leave a small gap (about 1/2 inch) for inserting the hanging loop later. Once you’ve sewn all around, reach inside the gap and pull out the stocking shape so that both sides are facing outward. This will prevent your stocking from having any bulky seams inside.
Step 8: Create Hanging Loop
Now it’s time to add the hanging loop! To do this, measure out and cut a piece of fabric (about 6 inches in length) that you’ll use to make the loop. Then, fold it in half and pin along one side so that the raw edges are now touching.
Using your sewing machine (with a medium-length straight stitch setting), backstitch at both ends of the pinned seam. Finally, reach inside the stocking and pull out the loop through the gap you left earlier for it.
Step 9: Sew the Bottom Edges Together
The last step in constructing your stocking is to sew together the bottom edges of the shape. To do this, place both sides (right sides together) and pin along all edges.
Then using your sewing machine (with a medium-length straight stitch setting), sew all around and backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam. However, if you’d like to make your stocking more durable, it’s recommended that you reinforce the bottom seams with a zigzag stitch.
Step 10: Turn & Iron Out Seams
Reach inside the stocking shape and pull it out so that both sides are facing outward. Then, use an iron and ironing board to press down the seams with steam heat.
However, be careful not to iron the hanging loop as this could cause it to shrink. But if any seam edges are poking out, use a steam iron to press down on them in order to flatten them out. But it’s important to remember that the heat from the iron should not be too hot as this could damage your fabric.
Step 11: Admire Your Work & Hang Up Your Stocking
And there you have it! You’ve now created your very own Christmas stocking with lining included. To finish, simply admire your work and hang up your stocking for all to see.
These handy steps on how to sew a christmas stocking with lining have given you a great guide to making your own Christmas stocking with lining. Whether you’re looking for an elegant finish or a more rustic look, this tutorial has everything you need to make a stunning DIY project.
So don’t be afraid to get creative and make something truly special! With just some basic supplies and sewing materials, the possibilities are endless. Have fun and happy holidays!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Best Fabric to Use for Christmas Stockings?
A: A cotton-polyester blend is an excellent choice of fabric since it will provide great durability and color retention. It also won’t fray easily, making the sewing process smoother and easier. Additionally, look for fabric that is medium to heavy weight, as this will provide the most stability for your stocking shape.
Q: Is It Possible to Hand Sew a Christmas Stocking With Lining?
A: Yes, it is definitely possible to hand-sew a Christmas stocking with lining. However, if you want the best results and don’t have much experience in sewing, it is recommended that you use a sewing machine.
This will provide more accurate stitches and save time since it sews much faster than hand-sewing. If you do decide to use a machine, be sure to adjust the tension level so that your fabric won’t bunch up or pucker when stitching.
Q: What Kind of Thread Should I Use for Sewing a Christmas Stocking?
A: Polyester thread is the best option since it’s strong and won’t break easily. Additionally, look for threads that are lightweight so that they don’t add bulk to your stocking shape. Lastly, be sure to match the color of your thread to your fabric in order to get an even finish.
Q: How Do I Reinforce the Bottom Seams of My Christmas Stocking?
A: To make your stocking more durable, try reinforcing the bottom seams with a zigzag stitch. This will provide extra stability and help keep your stocking from coming apart over time. Additionally, you can also use an iron to press down on any seam edges that are poking out for
Conclusion
As you can see, sewing your own Christmas stockings with a lining is an easy and rewarding task! Not only does it give you a chance to showcase your own design style, but there are also many ways that you can get creative with it. You could go with the traditional red and white stocking look or play around with different patterns, materials, and decorations.
Additionally, by using a standalone lining fabric you could really ensure that your stocking looks festive years into the future as the rest of the materials aren’t prone to fading. All in all, if you take away one thing from this blog post, it should be that investing time into creating your own Christmas stocking with a lining is worth it! Thanks for reading this article on how to sew a christmas stocking with lining.
