I was looking at the Prosperity Sewing Hens I made a few weeks ago, and mulling over the Christmas in July event I wanted to do. I briefly considered making hens out of Christmas fabrics, when another idea hit me. What about Stockings instead? A wish for abundance at the holiday time with family and friends, an abundance of food and maybe even a few gifts. Maybe you can see me rubbing my hands together with glee, what an opportunity to embellish!!

Start by downloading the pattern – Abundance Stockings

For each print, cut one piece of fabric 4-inches x 9-inches. Cut one white top section 2-inches x 9 inches. Sew them together along one long edge.

Fold the sewn pieces in half, making a piece about 5-1/2 x 4-1/2. Pin the edge to hold the seam straight on both sides.

Place the stocking pattern piece on the fabric, with the line on the seam. Pin in place.

Cut out. Now you have two pieces mirrored, ready for embellishment.

If you don’t mind a bit of waste, you can put trims on the fabric before cutting out the pattern.

Or just embellish as you like on the individual stockings.

When you have added what you can, sew the stockings right sides together leaving an opening for turning.

Clip the corners and the inside curve, then turn right side out. Push out the corners at the top.

These I didn’t embellish prior to sewing. It occurred to me afterward that embellishing prior to sewing them together would make it possible to use the machine and have less to do by hand.

Stuff the stockings with fiber fill, leftover batting, or whatever you have. Do NOT stitch the opening closed yet.

It is easier to attach shank buttons after the stockings are stuffed.

Add broken jewelry too!

Broken earrings make great embellishments. Funny story, I put the rhinestone star on the stocking, but I didn’t sew it. I got out a second box of broken jewelry to see what else I had, and found its mate! I thought I’d lost one.

Now is also the time to do some beading. On this one, I put a row of green bugle beads on the top of the topstitched lace.

On this one, I put a line of beads on the seam, three gold seed beads then one red bugle bead, repeating all the way around. Below is an earring dangle that came from a broken earring back.

Large buttons like these are best added after the stocking is sewn. Otherwise the foot runs off the top and the seam doesn’t get fully sewn. Ask me how I know!

So, grab your holiday fabrics, buttons and trims, broken jewelry and unworn pins, and craft a bunch of stockings. Make as many as you like. I made nine total.

These could be ornaments for the tree as well. We’ll finish the project tomorrow to make them into a long hanging for the wall or a ceiling hook. Have fun!

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