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Crafting A Personalized Christmas Stocking
Creating a personalized Christmas stocking is a time honored tradition that brings everyone together for some fun family time. And, it's easier than you might think to choose themes, color schemes and fabrics that you and your loved ones will want to use for the design.
We will consider each element of design in turn and present a starting point for your own ideas. After which, you'll have a design and pattern for creating your own personalized Christmas stocking.
Christmas Stocking Themes
Think about what your family specifically loves about Christmas or associates with family memories. Christmas themes can include:
- Angels
- The Nativity
- Snowmen
- Christmas trees
- Gingerbread men
- Or a partridge in a pear tree
Maybe your sister loves cats. You can use an ethnic theme reflecting your family's heritage. Be creative!
Christmas Stocking Color Schemes
Besides the traditional red and green, white, silver and gold also have a festive appearance. In general, three-color schemes work the best. However, a stunning stained-glass effect can be created with a range of jewel-like colors.
Christmas Stocking Fabrics
As an example, let's say your daughter loves gold lame and roses. Gold fabrics and trims are well established as holiday decorating materials. Here's an idea. You could utilize gold lame fabric for the background of the stocking, then apply hearts of a few different sizes in a rose-patterned fabric. Finish off by trimming the cuff with pre-made satin ribbon roses on top of a band of delicate lace. Personalized Christmas stocking perfection.
Another example: Your mother loves plaids and angels. Create a background with different plaids arranged in stripes, with a white satin angel applied to the stocking, and trim the cuff with lace. You could also attach some snips of yarn for your angel's hair.
Now, your husband is partial to neutral colors and likes to go fishing. You could choose two or three neutral shades for the body, and appliqué a fish with a Santa's hat for a fun Christmas theme.
Get your imagination in gear. Check what fabrics you have on hand and, of course, visit a fabric store.
Large fabric stores stock an unbelievable array of trims. The styles, materials and sheer number will amaze you:
- Laces
- Ribbons
- Woven
- Ethnic
- Glittery
- Sequined
- Beaded
- And tasseled
Let the personality of your family members be your guide. The men and boys might not be fond of satin and lace. They probably prefer masculine suede leather trim. Remember, you want to make a personalized Christmas stocking. It will be fun for you to create, and the men and boys in your life will have joyful memories each and every year to come.
Bring Your Personalized Christmas Stocking To Life
Using a large piece of construction paper, draw your stocking shape outline. Use a pencil, you'll be able to refine the shape until it looks right. Cut out your stocking outline, then using this as a pattern, trace out another one. Mark this duplicate with a half-inch added allowance all around, then cut out.
The first cutout you made, without the seam allowances, is used as a template for shapes you will appliqué or zigzag stitch onto your stocking base shape. Complete both sides and stitch together. Apply a pre-made name tag—or embroider—if you like and voilá, you've got a personalized Christmas stocking. You'll love what you've created and your family will cherish their new Christmas stockings.