Hello fabric friends! Amy Smart from
Diary of a Quilter here. I'm still in a state of shock that the holidays are just around the corner, but the fact is, it's time to start getting ready.
So for today's activity as part of the Fat Quarter Gang I'm going to show you a simple method for making scrappy Christmas stockings. They're quick and super easy (I promise) and a great way to use up your favorite fabrics or scraps.
Using fat quarters, mine finished at 17" x 6". You could enlarge the pattern and make the stockings any size you like, using the same method.
Today I'm using a selection of Art Gallery prints in Christmas tones, some from
Pure Elements and
Oval Elements and other collections including
Indie and
Rhapsodia. (You could win this same collection of fat quarters on
my blog today!)
Fabric requirements (per stocking):
- Lining - 1 Fat Quarter
- Backing - Fat Quarter
- Front - assorted fabric strips
- Batting scrap 9" x 20"
Stocking template here (part 1) and here (part 2).
Cut out pattern and trace two lining pieces (facing opposite directions) from one fat quarter.
Gather 15-18 fabric strips at least 8"-9" long and various widths.
Trim batting scrap to slightly larger than the stocking pattern.
"Audition" fabric strips in the order you like before you start sewing. Remove strips except middle two strips, but keep them in the planned order.
Place middle strip in place on the batting and pin adjacent strip right sides together.
Sew strips together (and to batting) using 1/4" seam allowance. If you have a walking foot, I suggest using it. Press strips open.
Continue adding fabric strips using the same method of sewing right sides together, then press open. (Pressing will help keep your fabric strips neat.) When all strips are sewn to batting you can quilt by stitching over the fabric strips at whatever density you prefer. I just eyeball the lines using the stripes as my guide
Lay stocking pattern over quilted piece and cut stocking front trimming off 1" at the top. Cut a backing piece facing the opposite direction from the front also minus 1" from the top.
You will now have a front, back and two lining pieces.
Match up the pieced front with a lining right sides together (toes pointing the same direction) and a back and lining piece right sides together. Sew top edges together using 1/4" seam allowance. Press seams open. Match up two new pieces with lining pieces right sides together and front/back right sides together. Sew all the way around matched pieces using a 1/4" seam allowance and leaving a 4" opening in the lining.
Before turning right sides out, trim fabric close to seam allowance on the lining pieces and clip curves of the outside portion of the stocking. Turn right side out and topstitch lining gap closed.
Tuck stocking lining inside the stocking, leaving the top of the lining sticking up 1/4" to create contrasting trim. Carefully shape and press the stocking, esp the top edge (see below).
To create a hanging loop, cut a scrap 1.5" x 6".
Fold in half and crease.
Open and fold sides into the crease.
Press.
Fold in half again and top stitch open sides closed.
Fold loop in half and pin to the inside of the back seam of the stocking.
Sew it in place at the same time you top-stitch the top edge of the stocking. I top stitch at the top and bottom of the 'trim' to give it a finished look.
And that's it! You're done.
You could even do the same pattern and just make 'solid' fronts for your stockings. I look forward to seeing what you create in the
Flickr group!
And don't forget to stop by
Diary of a Quilter for your chance to win your own bundle of Christmassy Art Gallery fabrics.
As always to be eligible to win you must follow us on your fav social media platform (Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter)
and Subscribe to our blog to stay up to date on all things AGF & the Fat Quarter Gang! Ohhh... and lets not forget Flickr!
Giveaway open until November 16th.
See ya next week,
<3 Amy & Your AGF team
Fat Quarter Gang - Scrappy Christmas Stockings by Diary of a Quilter
