Handmade stockings bring so much joy to the holiday season. Whether you’re creating them for family traditions, gifting, or festive décor, sewing your own stocking is a rewarding project that even beginners can tackle. Follow along with this step‑by‑step guide to assemble and sew your Christmas stocking—perfectly paired with the Sam’s Signature How to Sew a Christmas Stocking Easy Tutorial for Beginners on YouTube.
Materials You’ll Need
- Stocking pattern (download the free printable PDF here)
- Festive cotton fabric for the stocking body
- Coordinating fabric for the cuff
- Lining fabric (optional, for extra durability)
- Sewing machine and thread
- Pins or clips
- Scissors or rotary cutter
- Iron for pressing seams
Step 1: Cut Your Fabric
- Print and cut out the stocking pattern.
- Place the pattern on your chosen fabric and cut two pieces for the stocking body (front and back).
- Cut two pieces of lining fabric if you’re adding a lining.
- Cut one rectangle for the cuff—make sure it’s wide enough to fold over the top of the stocking. It should be double the width of the top of the stocking, and about 3.5 inches long. Alternatively, you can use 2 rectangles the same width as the top of the stocking.
Step 2: Sew the Stocking Body
- Place the two stocking pieces right sides together.
- Pin or clip around the edges, leaving the top open.
- Sew along the edges with a ¼"–½" seam allowance, curving smoothly around the heel and toe.
- Trim excess fabric and clip curves for a clean finish.
- Turn the stocking right side out and press flat with an iron.
Step 3: Add the Lining (Optional)
- Sew the lining pieces together the same way as the outer stocking.
- Leave the lining inside out.
- Slip the lining into the stocking, wrong sides together, so seams are hidden.
Step 4: Create and Attach the Cuff (with Hanging Tab)
1. Make the Hanging Tab
- Cut a piece of coordinating fabric measuring 3" x 1".
- Fold it in half lengthwise.
- Fold the raw edges into the center, press flat, then stitch along both long edges as close as possible for a neat finish.
- Fold the tab in half to form a loop.
2. Prepare the Cuff
- Fold the cuff fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew the short ends. If you have 2 pieces, place wrong sides together and sew both short ends together using the same seam allowance as the stocking.
- Turn the cuff right side out and press (with fingers, if using fleece).
3. Attach the Cuff and Tab (No Lining)
- Slip the cuff inside the stocking’s opening, with the wrong side of stocking fabric facing the right side of the cuff fabric, aligning raw edges. Make sure to line the seams up together
- Insert the folded tab between the cuff and the outer stocking, folded side down, at the side seam on the heel side.
- Pin everything in place and sew around the top edge.
- Fold the cuff down over the stocking for a polished look.
4. Attach the Cuff and Tab (With Lining)
- Place the lining inside the stocking, wrong sides together, so seams are hidden.
- Slip the cuff inside both the outer stocking and lining layers, with the right side of the cuff facing the right side of the lining, aligning raw edges, and making sure to line up all seams.
- Insert the folded tab between the cuff and the lining layer (not between cuff and outer layer). This ensures the tab is anchored securely.
- Pin and sew through all layers (outer stocking + lining + tab + cuff).
- Fold the cuff down over the stocking, enclosing the seam and giving a clean finish inside and out.
Final Touches
Press the finished stocking for crisp seams. If using fleece for the cuff, use low heat and press on the inside of the stocking. Now you have a handmade holiday stocking ready to fill with treats, gifts, or simply to decorate your mantel.
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