Christmas Stocking tutorial

 

 So I made these suuuuper cute stockings a week or so ago and posted them on facebook and gosh! I had no idea they would be so popular! I have had so many people ask me about them and how I made them so I decided to make a tutorial and expose all of my deep dark secrets (on making stockings that is...) I wasn't planning on making a tutorial so sorry for lack of pictures if you're wanting a really detailed step by step. Hopefully I'm just a good explainer!

 

So really they were SO easy. (and I'm no sewer. Usually I stick with strictly straight line sewing projects) I've had the idea for a while now and I've been slowly making trips to hobby lobby with my 40% off coupon each time. I just got the standard red and white fuzzy stocking. it was reg. priced $3.99 but was (and they still are I believe) on sale 40% off so I got it for just over 2 bucks each. You can use whatever fabric you want but I used a cotton duck chevron pattern in both red and green (reg like $8 a yard s make sure to bring your coupon!) and burlap for the other side.

 

 

 I won't put my pattern on here because it will vary depending on what pre-made stocking you get. I just took a piece of paper (I have 11x17 inch paper at my house but you can just tape 2 reg size printer paper together to make it large enough. ) and folded up the white part (so that you can trace it without it being in the way) and traced around the stocking. Make sure to add an inch or so for a seam allowance and to let the "slipcover" be a little larger. (I didn't do that and it is sure a tight fit to get it on and not that it really matters because you don't see it but the pre-made part is all squished and weird in some places.

 Anyway I did one side the cotton duck chevron(for non sewy knowing what fabric is by name people like me "cotton duck" is the thicker kind of bumpy cotton fabric.) and the other side burlap. (if you use burlap make sure to leave at least an inch seam allowance as it frays easily and you may end up with holes that you have to go over and re-sew and make the stocking smaller than you plan...not that I have experience with that or anything...) So anyway, cut out the pieces from your pattern.  I hemmed the top straight part of each piece and then basic sewer things, put right sides together and sew them up! slip the slipcover that you made on and fold the white fuzzy part down and tada! You have a way cute stocking that cost you about $5 each to make and only took you a couple of hours! hooray!

 



I'm still trying to figure out putting names on them. I'm thinking maybe stenciling on the burlap is the way to go. Here's a photoshop mock-up of what it could look like! 

I also haven't permanently attached the two pieces together since I'm still trying to figure out the name thing but I plan on just sewing them together around the top under the white fuzzy part.

 

I got a yard of each fabric and had PLENTY left over so if you make them all one color you could easily just get one yard for your front and one yard of burlap or whatever you use for the back. But I'm glad that I have extra because now when other people decide to come into our family I don't have to scour the world trying to find matching fabric! I also got a few more stockings just to make sure they matched if I have to make more someday (I can't even begin to tell you the largeness of my husbands eye roll on that one)

 

Side note:

as for the burlap I got 2 yards and made this wreath and the left overs were the perfect amount to make 4 stockings. Just incase you want to make a wreath too you can do it all with 2 yards! I guess as long as  you just make 4 stockings...

Was that clear as mud? Probably. Hopefully it made enough sense that you can make your own all by yourself! If it didn't I'm really good at answering questions!!

Operation:FATTY and the big ONE!

This pretty little girl is ONE YEAR OLD!

Sophie officially turned 1 almost a week ago last Friday Sept. 27. She thinks she's pretty big and awesome and why shouldn't she?You would think you were pretty cool too if just a year ago you could barely do anything but poop and blink and now you can do all sorts of things. Like crawl, and furniture walk,  pull all of your favorite toys out of the toy box,  get your own cookies out of the pantry, throw everything out of your crib during the duration of the night and other awesome stuff like that. Before I get on to the millions of pictures about her birthday I'll give the stats of her doc appointment we had just today! Ready...????

Length 29.5 inches = 6%

Weight 15lb 15 oz = 0% (like -5ish. She is following her own little curve just below the chart so doc is REALLY happy about that!)

Head 43.3 cm = 9%

So, once again, we have physical proof that my kids are itty bitty's. and that's OK!! Soph is just starting into her 6-9 month clothes (although lots of them are still pretty big. But some fit!) and just last week we moved her into size 3 diapers. They're still a little biggish but 2's were just getting to snug for the likes of her bum. So doctors orders are the same. Butter in everything and full fat everything else. But she's not overly worried since she following her own curve. Doc says she looks great and aside from the 5 shots she had to get today (poor girl!) she happy as a clam. (assuming clams are reeeally happy)

So anyway on to her PARTY! We had her birthday party on Sat Sept 28

If you weren't lucky enough to get invited to her super exclusive party here's a peak at the invitation.

"What is this thing on my head!?"

"Blech. here's what I think of THAT"

The big kids playing in the sand box

 Present time! I didn't get a picture of the pile but it looked like freakin' Christmas morning for a family of 6. Very loved little girl.

Conner was quite the teacher in showing her how to open presents

 Soph got a lot of awesome presents. She got cool puzzles and books and clothes, dresses, toys and the list goes on and on but the most favorite present of the day was....

The box! Her and Conner are still playing with it!

 cake Cake CAKE!!!

My awesome friend Jessi made this adorable cake. So cute!

"no more pictures guys! I just. want. this. cake!"

While we were singing she got a chunk of it. haha!

Not quite sure about it at first...

warms up a little (with maybe a little help from the big people) 

eventually she LOVES it! yay for cake!

Thanks for coming to my party guys!!

Thanks to everyone who was able to come and celebrate with us! It was so great to have you all there! And for those who couldn't come we missed you!

I can't beleive it's been a year since she was born! It really went so fast. and maybe it's because she looks like the average 6 month old but it still doens't seem like she's 1!

 I couldn't imagine our family without you Sophie! We love all of you. Your sweetness and smiles and kisses. Your laugh and even your little temper tantrums you have when you don't get your way. Happy birthday to my big big (ok little) girl!!!