How to Sew a Christmas Stocking (Free Pattern & Tutorial!)
Christmas stockings are one of the things I remember with so much fondness from my childhood. On Christmas morning, my brother and I always had a stocking each beside our beds, for opening before the sun rose. In hindsight, this probably a (very clever) way to get us to stay quiet so my parents could catch a little more sleep. But it also created some of the most magical moments of Christmas day.
In honour of continuing this tradition with my own little ones, this year I’ve made each of them new Christmas stockings from scraps I had lying around the house, and today I’m sharing the tutorial and free sewing pattern so that you can recreate your very own DIY Christmas stockings.
If you're anything like me, you'll be so excited to put up your very own handmade Christmas stockings on Christmas Eve!
Table of Contents
Download the FREE Christmas Stocking Pattern
Fill in the form below to get the free pattern sent to your inbox.
The PDF download can be used to make a plain stocking or a patchwork stocking like mine. I chose to make my patchwork so that I could use fabric scraps I already had.
IMPORTANT When printing your free stocking pattern, check your print settings carefully. You need to make sure you've set it to print at 100% (or 'actual size') and check the measurements of the boxes on the first page to ensure it's printed at the right size.
Watch the YouTube Tutorial
If you’d prefer to watch a video tutorial, you can find the basic stocking tutorial on my YouTube channel here.
Or keep reading for the written instructions below.
Tips for Sewing Patchwork
If this is your first time sewing patchwork , here’s how I typically join my pieces together in the quickly and efficiently:
Once you've decided on the layout for your patchwork, pile the pieces for each row in order on top of each other.
Then take one little pile to your machine and stitch them together in pairs without breaking the thread in between. This is called chain piecing.
Once you have all your little pairs created, join the pairs together.
Finally, join the rows together.
It's usually best to sew patchwork with a quarter inch seam allowance, and make sure you're pressing your seams as you go. Some people prefer to press seams to the side and alternate them so they can nest together, others like to press seams open.
When it comes to the quilting, I highly recommend using a walking foot, which will help to pull the bulky quilt sandwich evenly through the machine.
How to Make a DIY Christmas Stocking
Fabric Requirements
Half a metre (yard) of main fabric, or 5 pieces of fabric/fat quarters for patchwork
Half a metre (yard) of backing/lining fabric
Quarter metre (yard) of batting
Supplies
Free stocking sewing pattern (see above!)
Quilting pins or safety pins
Iron and ironing board
Walking foot (optional but recommended!)
Trim eg piping, ribbon, faux fur (optional)
Instructions
1. Download and print your pattern, use the guidelines to tape or glue the pattern together and cut out the stocking pattern pieces. Alternatively, you could make your own pattern on a piece of large tracing paper.
2. If you're doing patchwork, cut 35 three inch squares and sew them together with a quarter inch seam allowance. Check out the tips above if you need help with this.
3. Pin the pattern to the main fabric or patchwork fabric you've created, and cut one stocking piece using the stocking template. Then cut two stocking pieces from your backing fabric and three of the cuff piece from your backing fabric.
4. Pin the front stocking piece to some batting and cut out the shape leaving a little bit extra around the edges for trimming later.
5. Make a quilt sandwich by laying one of the backing stocking shapes with the batting and then the main fabric or patchwork stocking piece on top. Pin through all three layers ready to quilt.
6. Draw on guidelines for quilting with an erasable marker then sew along each line to quilt the front of your stocking.
7. Take the second piece of backing fabric and lay it on top of the quilted piece, right sides together. If you need to, trim off the excess batting. Finish the raw edges with a zig zag stitch or serger.
8. To assemble the cuff, lay down one of the cuff backing pieces right side up, then one right side down, then the cuff batting piece and finally another cuff backing piece right side up. Sew each short side seams of the cuff, press and finish the raw edges.
9. To attach the cuff, slide it over the stocking so that the right side of the cuff is facing the wrong side of the stocking. Make sure that the side of the cuff with batting is aligned with the quilted front of the stocking. Sew, press seam and finish raw edges. If you'd like a hanging loop at the top of the stocking, add a piece of ribbon or trim between the two pieces before you sew.
10. To finish the bottom of the cuff, either fold back and hem the top edge, or attach a trim.
FAQ
What kinds of fabric can I use for my handmade stockings?
Lightweight, structured fabrics like cotton, linen and polycotton will work best for this project. You can use thrifted fabric or fabric sourced from old or sentimental clothing like shirts. I wouldn't recommend using stretchy fabrics, especially if you're choosing to do patchwork.
Where can I buy holiday fabrics?
While my preference is always to source secondhand or eco-friendly fabrics, it can be tricky to find festive fabrics. For Christmas fabric, take a look at Minerva, Selfmade, and Higgs and Higgs.
Is this a beginner sewing project?
Yes, this simple Christmas stocking project is definitely possible for beginners! You'll need to be familiar with how to use a sewing machine, but aside from that it really is very easy! And if you've never tried quilting before, this would be a great way to give quilting a go.
How much fabric will I need?
You can take a look at the fabric requirements here. The fabric requirements are an estimate so you may find you need more or less, particularly if you have a fabric with a directional print and/or you would like to match the pattern from the cuff to the main stocking. For the patchwork option, I've suggested using 5 different fabrics, but you could use more or fewer if you prefer. One of the joys of making your own stockings is that you can choose to make them however you like!
How long will it take to make a DIY Christmas stocking?
For experienced sewists, it could take under an hour to finish this project, particularly if you choose not to make the patchwork version. For beginners, I would recommend setting aside at least a few hours. You don't want to be rushing this project on Christmas Eve!
Can I add a name to personalise the stocking?
Yes! In my opinion one of the best things about making your own stocking is that you can make it completely personalised. You could either embroider the name or use Cricut heat transfer vinyl. This would be best done on the front cuff piece before the stocking is sewn together.
Enjoy your new stockings, and Merry Christmas!
For more Christmas sewing, take a look at my Instagram, or this post on handmade Christmas gifts.
This page contains affiliate links, which earn me a little bit of commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
You might like …
