Christmas Stockings - easy, lined, and quick!

This is how I have made HUNDREDS of Christmas stockings (not kidding) in the past 20 years or so.  The technique is easy but not what you expect.  I use a fun, tricky turning method that I learned from a quilt shop employee.  Once you try it, you'll be making them, too!  I call it the Gonzo Method because you just keep sewing until you're done and they turn out great every time.  

Here's the trick:  You are going to turn the stocking inside out THREE times. 

Trust me. 

First, gather your supplies: 

Pattern - draw your own!  The one I use is bigger than a fat quarter. 

Stocking fabrics - lining and exterior/theme.  You probably want to use Christmas themed fabric for the exterior but you can use anything for the lining. 

I usually use quilting cottons but I have used other fabrics if I think they work well with quilting cottons. 

Cuff fabric - I like white but you can use anything (I have a lot of white scraps). 

6.5" wide is best for cuffs but they can be a little narrower.  Cut the length as the width from the bolt (about 40") or if you are cutting to size, use twice the width of your stocking plus a couple of inches.  Fold it wrong sides together, the long way, and press. 

Hanging loop - I make my own from scraps of cuff or Christmas fabric (the same way you make bag handles) and they finish at about 3/4" by 6.5".  

You can also use leftover rick rack or ribbon.  

Straight pins, good scissors, and basic sewing supplies. 

Place all four layers of fabric, right sides together, and pin the pattern on top. 

That's right - the exterior/theme fabrics right sides together and the lining fabrics right sides together.

Cut all four layers at the same time with scissors. 

Start sewing 1.5”- 2" DOWN FROM THE BACK OF THE STOCKING (heel side). 

Using a ¼”  or 3/8” seam allowance, sew around the stocking shape (all four layers) up to the top of the other side.

Sew all the way around to the top at the "front" of the stocking (toe side). 

Clip curves.  Trim seam to ¼” if you were sloppy. 

Turn 1:  Reach down into the stocking between the layers of theme/exterior fabric and grab the toe.  Turn completely inside out.  Check the seams to be sure all four layers are caught securely in the seam.  If not, fix it now.  They can shift. 

This is your opportunity to check that all four layers are in the seam. 

Turn 2:  Reach down into the stocking between the two layers of lining fabric and grab the toe.  Turn completely inside out.  Pat and/or press the stocking until the raw edges at the top are aligned.  It’s not important that the toe is perfectly flat at this point.  Lining fabric faces out.  You can trim the top edge if you need to.

Lay the cuff fabric down on the sewing machine, the fold to the left and raw edges to the right.  Lay the stocking down on top of it, matching the raw edges of the cuff, and starting at the back.  Leave about an inch of cuff fabric beyond the edge of the back of the stocking.

Now is the time to add an optional hanging loop at the back of the stocking.  Insert a loop between the lining fabric and the cuff at the rear, ensuring that the ends of the loop extend into the cuff seam allowance.  Give yourself about half an inch from the back edge of the stocking. 

I like the ends of the loop to stick out a little so I can see where they are and ensure they are straight and together.   

Here the "back" of the stocking is positioned over the cuff and hanging loop, ready to sew. 

You can see why we left that bit of seam open at the beginning, 

Sew the cuff to the stocking (two stocking layers, lining and theme fabric wrong sides together) around the entire top opening, with raw edges aligned.

I like to put 4-5 back stitches over the hanging loop to ensure that it won't come loose. 

Go all the way around, rolling the stocking forward as you go. 

Reaching the end, trim off any excess cuff fabric with scissors.  See the half inch or so left in front?  If you used a 6.5" x 40" piece the excess can be used in the next stocking.  If there isn't enough...use the excess to make hanging loops!  About 3" x 6.5" cut and then folded in on itself, pressed, and sewn.  You know how to do this. 

Remove from the machine. 

Turn 3:  Reach down into the stocking between the two layers of theme fabric and grab the toe.  Turn completely inside out.  This is the last turn so it's "pretty side out".  

Extend cuff fabric up away from the stocking.  Stick your finger into the unsewn seam allowance from the very beginning step and PULL out the seam allowance.  Pin if you need to.  

Drop your needle into the spot where the seam allowance sticks out and sew up to the top edge of the cuff (at the fold).  That seam allowance edge will remain raw. 

As you're sewing, “nest” the seam allowances for the cuff at the back (one up, one down).   

This photo shows where to start sewing - where the seam would be if the raw edges weren't sticking out. 

Sew all the way to the top edge of the cuff, nesting those seams.  

DON'T sew the hanging loop into this seam.  Keep it out of the way.

I like to do 4-5 back stiches from the edge and trim my threads there instead of at the very edge. 

If they ever come loose they won't show. 

Trim the cuff seam allowance to 1/4" (or so). 

Nip off that corner (preserving the stitching) so that it won't show when you turn the cuff down. 

This sadly out of focus photo shows a nice "nesting" of the seams between the stocking and the cuff.  

That's what you're striving for but if you are off by a little...it's fine. 

Turn the cuff down and make it tidy all around. 

“Roll” the lining fabric down slightly from the top of the cuff, so that it does not peek up over the cuff (like you learned in pocket construction in Home Ec).  

Give it a hard press with an iron.  

No need to topstitch the cuff.  

Here's your completed stocking!  My hanging loop is leaning a little toward starboard but no one will notice.  They will be too busy unpacking goodies from this clever stocking!

Thanks to all the volunteers in my area who make 250+ of these each year for Meals on Wheels clients.  It is great fun to know we are making their Christmas bright!