Faux Patchwork Christmas Stocking Pattern & Tutorial

It's Christmas in July time!  

Get a jump start on sewing for Christmas & make a festive stocking the quick n' easy way.

 

What makes this stocking a great sew is that it looks like it's a more time consuming patchwork design, thanks to the central fabric's block design, but it's actually just pieced together strips.  So much simpler!!

 

I created this project as a designer for Team Timeless to highlight their new Comfort & Joy fabrics collection, but you could also use any 4in square sized patchwork print and coordinating fabrics.  Thinner strips between the blocks keep things from looking too busy and help those festive squares to really pop:

 

 

Coordinated piping adds some nice outlining detail and a center layer of batting gives it a solid shape:

 

It's also lined, so you can add a fun interior fabric like this reindeer print that coordinated with my outer fabrics:

 

Perfect for hanging by the fireplace, waiting to be filled with Christmas goodies:

 

 

 

Finished size:

15″h x 11″w

Seam allowance is three-eighths of an inch unless otherwise noted.  

 

Fabric Requirements

– 1/2 yd cuts of 2 fabrics I used Timeless Treasures HOLIDAY-C8654 MULTI and HOLIDAY-C8656 RED

– 1/4 yd cuts of 4 coordinating fabrics.  I used Timeless Treasures Shimmer Green, Mini Leaf Blenders MEADOW C8500 GREEN, MEADOW C8500 Beige and MEADOW C8500 Red

 

Additional Materials

– 1 & 1/4yd piping

– 1/2 yd batting

– 5 inch strip of 3/8 or 1/2 inch wide ribbon 

– Yard stick, rotary cuter, iron, zipper foot, pins, hand sewing needle

– My FREE Christmas Stocking Pattern HERE

Download my free stocking pattern pieces (set printer to actual size and check against the square inch on the page), then print, cut out and tape the sections together per the instructions.

 

Cutting Instructions:

Fabrics

Fold fabrics, selvages together before cutting

 

– Along the block design lines, cut HOLIDAY-C8654 MULTI (or similar patchwork fabric) horizontally to create (3) single block high rows

– Cut (1) WOF x 1 1/2″h strip from each of Shimmer Green, Mini Leaf Blenders MEADOW C8500 GREEN and (2) MEADOW C8500 Beige

 

 

– Using the stocking pattern, cut a mirrored pair from the lining and another from the batting.

 

 

 

Assembly:

What makes a more interesting effect is to slide the block rows so that they are staggered, rather than having the blocks line up exactly vertically before sewing all the strips together.

 

Once you've adjust the blocks as you like them, it's time to stitch the thinner strips between them.  With right sides facing, pin, then begin stitching together the strips, using a 1/8 inch seam allowance, in the following order, starting at the bottom:

You'll begin with the lowest row of blocks, which will get a strip attached to its top and another to its bottom.  Continue with the rest in the order specified.

Once all the strips are sewn together, along the wrong side of the fabric, press the seam allowances to one side.

Flip the fabric over and, using the pattern, cut two mirrored stockings from the newly sewn together fabric.  Placement is totally up to you with which blocks you want to feature:

Cut a piece of piping at least 42 inches long.  If you want to create a custom piping like I did here, cut some 1 inch wide strips of fabric on the bias (45 degree angle), I used MEADOW C8500 Red.  Stitch ends together at right angles to make a single piece that is long enough to make 45 inches in length.

 

Wrap the fabric around some pre-fab piping or some narrow cord, right side out, and pin the fabric layers together, close to the cord:

 

Stitch very close to the cord using a zipper foot & matching thread: 

 

 

Still using the zipper foot, stitch the piping to the raw edge of one stocking front on all sides except the top, stitching right on top of the piping stitches.

With right sides facing, stitch the outer stocking halves together, stitching right over the previous stitching used to attach the piping:

Trim down the seam allowances and turn right side out.  Fold the strip of ribbon in half to make a hanging loop and baste near the side seam as shown:  

 

Pair the lining stockings, right sides facing, with the batting sandwich outside them, pin & stitch together, but leave a several inch gap along one side for turning.  

 

 

 Insert the outer stocking, right side out, into the lining:

 

 

Match up the side seams, pin together the top edges, then stitch together all the way around.

Pull the outer stocking out through the gap in the lining and pull right sides out, hand stitch gap closed with a slip stitch and push lining inside.  Press flat.

Now your stocking is ready to make the season merry & bright!

FREE Pattern: Christmas Ruffle Apron & Fabric Giveaway!

Make a fun and frilly apron to wear throughout the holiday season with my 

FREE Christmas Ruffle Apron Pattern & Tutorial 

and 

enter for a chance to win all these fabrics in my latest 

FABRIC GIVEAWAY too!

It has a nice full front to keep clothes clean while cooking & baking:

Full of fluffy, pretty ruffles in cheery holiday colors & prints like buffalo check, chalkboard snowflakes and vintage red trucks with a festive and flattering fit!

 The apron also features an adjustable single tie to get just the right fit around the neck and waist:

It's fully finished on the back too, so it's technically reversible and a great way to use even more festive prints!  It's perfect Christmas wear for a hostess or to make as a gift.

I created this project for Team Timeless using their lovely Home for the Holidays fabric collection.

I'm also giving away an assorted bundle of 1/4 & 1/2 yard cuts of these fabrics + coordinating Mix Basics solids to one lucky winner, courtesy of Timeless Treasures.  There will be enough fabric included to make a Ruffle Apron!

Now onto the apron making!!

 

Finished Size:

28"h x 20"w (at bottom)

Seam allowance is three-eighths of an inch unless otherwise noted.  

Fabric Requirements

- 1/2 yd cuts of Gail-C6887, C7200-Black, Holiday-C5790 Red, Holiday-C5790 Green

- 1/4 yd cuts of C7200-Pine, C7200-Cherry, Holiday-C5784 Red, Gail-C6887, Gail-C6886

Additional Materials:

- 2 1/2yd 1 inch wide grosgrain ribbon or twill tape

- Yard stick, rotary cuter, iron, disappearing marker/chalk, pins, safety pin

- My FREE Christmas Ruffle Apron Pattern HERE

Download my free top apron pattern pieces (set printer to actual size and check against the square inch on the page), then print, cut out and tape halves together per the instructions.

Cutting Instructions

Fabrics:

Fold fabrics, selvages together before cutting

- Along fold cut top apron front from and top apron back from Gail-C6887 and Holiday-C5790 Red.

- Cut 22"w x 17"h lower apron front from and lower apron back from C7200-Black, Holiday-C5790 Green

- Cut single WOF x 4 1/2"h strip from each of C7200-Pine, C7200-Cherry, Holiday-C5784 Red, Gail-C6887, Gail-C6886

Assembly:

Double fold all sides of ruffle strips under by 1/4 in (except the top ruffle, which needs the horizontal top edge unfolded).  Press, then topstitch short sides and bottom sides for all.  Baste along top for each piece.  Pull up on bobbin threads and cinch fabric to ruffle the strips.  Spread evenly.

Mark the front piece with horizontal lines for the ruffle placement as shown:

Starting at bottom marking line, pin basted top edges of ruffles into place, leaving a 3/8in space on either side for the seam allowance:

Fabric order shown for ruffles is:

C7200-Pine

Gail-C6887

Holiday-C5784 Red

 Gail-C6886

 C7200-Cherry

Stitch ruffles into place along top edge:

With right sides facing, pin lower edge of front apron top piece to the top edge of the ruffled lower piece and stitch together.  Do the same for the back apron pieces.

With right sides facing, pin together front & back pieces of apron, being careful to tuck the ruffle layers inward. Stitch together all the way around leaving 1 1/4 in wide gaps at the corners of the top edge and side edges (for the tie casing) and leaving a 3 inch gap at the bottom for turning.  Trim seam allowances and turn right side out.  

Press all edges flat.  Slip stitch by hand or machine stitch bottom gap opening.

Mark, then top stitch 1 1/4 in inward from curved sides to create the casing.  

Starting at one lower end, insert ribbon/twill tape through one side casing (attached to a bodkin or safety pin) and down through the other to create the adjustable apron tie.  Heat seal or stitch ends of ties to prevent fraying.

Time to put it on and enjoy the merry-making season!

FABRIC GIVEAWAY TIME!!!



Enter below for a chance to win an assortment of these fabrics for a total of over 4 yards of fabric!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Beachy Keen Bunting Bag Tutorial & Fabric Giveaway!

Make a fun summer bag that works as well for the beach, vacations or anytime with my Beachy Keen Bunting Bag Tutorial! 

Plus, have a chance to win this big bunch of fabric to make your own bag in my 
Red, White & Blue Fabric Giveaway!

I designed this project for my summer contribution as a Team Timeless designer.  Now I'm sharing it here too.  Using these adorable fabrics from the new Whale Hello! collection, sweet sea creatures are peeking out behind colorful bunting panels:

The vibrant triangles are done in a technique that makes a fabric layer above the nautical prints.  It gives the bag a fun dimensional look.  

Sweet stripes accent the sides:

While dainty polka dots round out the roomy interior:

Finished bag size: 16" w x 11.5" h x 5.5" d

Seam allowance is one quarter inch unless noted otherwise.

Materials:

- (8) 1/4yd cuts of coordinating cotton fabrics (I used Gail-C7263-Water, Gail-C7262-White, Gail-C7267-Blue, Gail-C7264-Sand, Mix-C7200-Red, Mix-C7200-Sun, Mix-C7200-Pool, Mix-C7200-Blue)

- 1/2yd for outer sides & straps (I used Stripe-C8109-Red)

- 3/4yd for lining (I used Dot-C1820-Cherry)

- 2yds medium weight fusible stabilizer

- Yard stick, shears, iron, disappearing marker/chalk, pins, hand sewing needle

To keep things simple, we'll start with cutting & assembling the bunting panels first. 

From the following A fabrics cut:

(1) Gail-C7267-Blue 16.5 inch wide by 2.5 inch high piece

(1) Gail-C7264-Sand 16.5 inch wide by 2.5 inch high piece

(1) Mix-C7200-Red 16.5 inch wide by 4.5 inch high piece

(1) Mix-C7200-Pool 16.5 inch wide by 4.5 inch high piece

From B (bunting) fabrics cut:

(1) Gail-C7263-Water 16.5 inch wide by 4.5 inch high pieces

(1) Gail-C7262-White 16.5 inch wide by 4.5 inch high pieces

(1) Mix-C7200-Blue 16.5 inch wide by 8.5 inch high pieces

(1) Mix-C7200-Sun 16.5 inch wide by 8.5 inch high pieces

Assembly:

Step 1: With wrong sides facing, fold Fabric B strips in half and press along fold. Place pieces over corresponding Fabric A pieces, lining up the raw edges at the top. Pin and stitch layers together one-eighth of an inch from raw edges. Repeat this pairing with all other pieces. A quarter of an inch of Fabric A should peek out at the bottom of each panel: 

Step 2: With right sides facing, pin together the lower edge of one panel to the top edge of another, being careful to keep the folded pieces from being pinned. Stitch together and press seams flat. 

Continue until all panels are attached to make the Main bag piece.  Repeat for other Main side.

Step 3: Starting one quarter inch inward from the left side on the larger panels, use a ruler and chalk/disappearing marker to mark cut lines 4 inches apart. Mark the lower panel so the cut lines are 2 inches from either line in the panel above it. Repeat this same pattern with the smaller panels, marking lines that are 2 inches apart instead of 4.

Step 4: Cut along all lines except for those one quarter inch from the outer sides (those are to mark the seam allowance).

Step 5: Fold the square sections under so the come to a point at the folded edge and press into place. Trim any excess fabric, if necessary to help the triangles to lie flat.

Step 6: Repeat with all square sections and pin in place. 

Top stitch along triangle edges.  Set completed bunting panels aside and let's begin on the rest of the bag and lining.

Bag Assembly:

From Fabric A (Lining Dot-C1820-Cherry) cut:

(1) 16.5 inch wide by 6 inch high Bottom piece 

(2) 6 inch wide by 12 inch high Side pieces

(2) 16.5 inch wide by 12 inch high Main pieces

From Fabric B (Outer Stripe-C8109-Red) cut:

(2) 6 inch wide by 12 inch high Side pieces

(1) 16.5 inch wide by 6 inches high Bottom piece 

(4) 4 inch wide by 18 inch high Strap pieces

From Fusible Stabilizer cut:

(1) 16.5 inch wide by 6 inch high Bottom piece 

(2) 6 inch wide by 12 inch high Side pieces

(2) 16.5 inch wide by 12 inch high Main pieces

(4) 4 inch wide by 18 inch high Strap pieces

Step 7:Using a press cloth between stabilizer and iron, fuse stabilizer to wrong side of all fabric pieces.

Making the Straps & Closure:

Step 8: Take two strap pieces and, with right sides facing, sew short ends together to make a longer strap. Fold long sides inward .5 in on either and press.  Repeat with other strap pieces.  Top stitch along all sides.  Set aside.

 

Step 9: Stitch a short end of each lining side piece to either short end of the lining bottom piece, starting and stop stitching one quarter inch inward from beginning and end (this makes it easier to do the next step).  Do the same with the outer fabric side & bottom pieces.

Step 10: Pin and stitch width side of a main lining panel to width side of bottom, leaving a 2 inch gap in the middle of the seam for turning later. Start and stop stitching one quarter inch inward from beginning and end.  Repeat with outer fabric pieces, but without any gap.

Step 11: Pin Main side to side pieces and stitch together as shown. Trim all seam allowances and corners.  Add remaining Main sides.

Step 12: Turn outer bag right side out. Take one strap and pin each of its raw edge ends 3 inches from either end of the bunting side.  Baste. Repeat with the other strap on the other bunting side.

Step 13: Slip outer bag into lining with right sides facing, match up corners and pin all along raw edges at top. Stitch together.

Step 14: Turn bag right side out through opening in lining. Push corners out with knitting needle or ruler. Stitch lining gap closed by hand using a slip stitch. Press along top edge of bag and topstitch. 

Enjoy your sweet summertime tote!

Now for a chance to win this fabulous fabric bundle of 10 1/2yd fabrics!


a Rafflecopter giveaway