Christmas Archives - You Make It Simple

Simple Christmas Stocking Sewing Tutorial | Lined With Contrasting Cuff

Christmas is just around the corner and what a great time to get out your sewing machine and make some fun holiday decorations. This Christmas stocking sewing tutorial is a very simple project that you can whip up in no time at all. The stocking is lined and has a contrasting cuff.

You can make these stockings out of all kinds of fabric.

WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIAL HERE

Christmas Stocking Items & Materials Needed

Sewing machine/serger (optional)
PDF Pattern
Scissors
Upcycled Sweaters or fabric (cotton, cotton blends, corduroy, denim, fleece, etc.) Check out my upcycled sweater post for tips on using an upcycled sweater)
Lightweight fabric for OPTIONAL lining
Contrasting fabric for a cuff or the bottom cuff from an upcycled sweater
Pins/clips
Optional trim and embellishments

There are two different styles of the stocking. You can make them all one solid color, or piece several types of fabric together to get a patchwork design.

Christmas Stocking Instructions

Download and print the pattern. (Due to the size of the pattern, you will first need to assemble the pattern. Not a big deal).

Cutting Out

Two of the outer covering and two of the lining pieces.
One cuff piece, on the fold where indicated on the pattern. You can also use an upcycled sweater cuff. (The bottom edge of a sweater or the sleeve cuff can be used). If using a sweater cuff, you won’t need to double the fabric, so don’t place the pattern on the fold).

Loop piece, on the fold where indicated on the pattern

Sewing

You can use a serger or single needle machine to sew the Christmas stocking. All seams will be 3/8” (usually the edge of your pressure foot) and you will always backstitch at the beginning and end of seams unless directed otherwise.

With Right Sides Together (RST), place stocking front to back. Pin in place. Sew all the way around, leaving the top open.

CUFF:

Fold cuff piece in half (RST). Sew the side seam.

Fold the cuff over and in half so the right sides are facing out. (If you want to add lace or trim to the cuff, do it now)

With the seam on the left, press in place. Mark the halfway point with a pin, on the right.

PIECED STOCKING:

If you want a pieced look, like in the photo on top, follow the directions below. For a more rustic look, you can expose the seams on the outside of the stocking.
With (RST) place pieces A & B together matching darts. Pin in place and sew the seam.
Open the stocking up and with (RST) place on top of piece C, matching darts. Pin in place and sew the seam.
If you want more than three pieces sewn together, like the stocking on the left, you can sew several sweater strips together and then cut a front stocking piece.
Cut out a solid piece for the back.
Place these pieces (RST) matching seams and edges, pin in place. Sew all the way around leaving the top edge open.

LOOP:

Fold the loop piece in half (RST) along the long edge. Sew down the side seam.
Turn the tube inside out and press the seam to the center.
TIP: Take a safety pin and insert it into the fabric by the tube opening. Stick the pin in the tube and direct it to the opening at the other side. Pull it out and it will turn the fabric right side out!
Open up the loop, bringing the seam in the center, and press.
Fold the loop in half so the seam is on the inside.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

With the WRONG SIDE OF THE LINING FACING OUT, stuff it inside the outer stocking and stick your hand down in it to line it up nicely. Line up the seams.

Place the loop on the stocking lining, centered on the back seam. Pin in place.
Baste the loop onto the stocking. (No need to backstitch) You will be sewing through the lining, stocking, and the loop

SEWING THE CUFF ONTO THE STOCKING

Place the cuff inside the stocking, with the RIGHT side facing the stocking. (If using a sweater cuff, the sweater cuff seam will be facing out and visible).
Align the cuff seam with the stocking seam. (There will be 4 layers, 3 if using a sweater cuff)
Pin in place.
Sew all the way around, through all layers. Stretch and ease sweater cuff as needed.

Flip the cuff over. Press seam towards the stocking.
Flip the cuff down and Ta-dah…….You are ready to hang your stocking!

There is no limit to the color and fabric combinations that you can do. Make a stocking for each one in the family!

Have fun sewing. Reach out if you have any questions.

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Share:

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

Easy DIY Mini Wreath | Made From Upcycled Sweaters

December 15, 2021 / Christmas, Craft Video, CRAFTS, Felt Crafts, Holiday and Seasonal Crafts, Upcycled Sweater Craft Projects, VIDEO AND AUDIO LIBRARY / No Comments

DIY Recycled Magazine Christmas Tree

December 12, 2020 / Christmas, Craft Video, CRAFTS, Paper, Recycling, VIDEO AND AUDIO LIBRARY / 1 Comment

How to Make a Dried Orange Slice Garland and Ornaments

November 24, 2019 / Craft Video, CRAFTS, Holiday and Seasonal Crafts, Home Decor, Tutorials, VIDEO AND AUDIO LIBRARY / No Comments

Upcycled Sweater Mistletoe Tutorial

December 2, 2015 / Christmas, CRAFTS, Felt Crafts, Gifts and Cards, Holiday and Seasonal Crafts, Tutorials, Upcycled Sweater Craft Projects / No Comments

Christmas Christmas Stockings Sewing Sewing tutorial Upcycled denim jeans upcycled sweater projects

10 Simple Gift Wrapping Ideas: Brown Paper Charm

Let the gift wrapping begin!

I’m all about simple when it comes to wrapping presents. I like to use items that are unique, available, and even repurposed. Brown craft paper and twine are some of my most favorite ways to wrap a present.

Those of you who know me, and perhaps received a gift from me, know that I like my brown paper and twine. I have to tell you something about the twine. Years ago I was shopping at Restorations Hardware (back when they had cool home stuff) and found this HUGE thing of twine. I got the whole deal for like $5. I don’t think I’ll ever run out.

You can get it online HERE.

So obviously, I use it for EVERYTHING. But you know, it works for so many things. You can dress it up, or be rustic and casual with your crafting.

Ya, ok I also have a thing for brown craft paper as well. I used to print and sell my clipboard calendars on brown paper, which was an icon of mine for years until I stopped printing them.

You can get brown craft paper on rolls quite cheap at stores, or you can also just use an upcycled brown paper bag.

10 Gift Wrapping Ideas

1- Colored Rubber Bands

Seriously, how simple can it be? Just wrap a few, or a lot of colored rubber bands around a small box and top with a bow. You are good to go. I love having a bag of colored rubber bands around, they really do come in quite handy for a lot of things.

2- Reindeer Box

Kids and adults like getting a gift wrapped up like a cute little reindeer.

What you need:

brown paper or brown paper bag
2 brown/black pipe cleaners
glue gun/glue
black marker
red pom, pom

This example is just for a small box, but you could use a bigger pom, pom and larger antlers if you wanted.

Instructions:

Wrap your gift in brown paper
Glue the nose, using a glue gun, to the front end.
Draw on the eyes and mouth.
Fold a pipe cleaner in half, and just start forming the antlers in random lengths. They don’t have to be exact.
Leave about a 1 inch folded tab on the bottom for gluing.

3- Dried Orange Slices

Several posts ago, I showed you how to dry orange slices. The bright orange color adds such a cheery look to any craft project AND gift wrapping.

Instructions:

Dry the orange slices (video directions HERE)
Apply to package using a hot glue gun.
Wrap the package with a few loops of twine (optional).

4- Paper bag sewn closed with sewing machine stitching

This particular brown paper bag gift wrapping is embellished with some sprigs of Elderberry bush. I love how the blue berries and greenery look against the brown bag.

I have also added a tulle bow. Tulle is a fun fabric to work with. There are so many fun things to make with it, including a simple tied bow.

Instructions:

Using a sewing machine is a fun unique way to seal the top of a gift bag. You can use a variety of stitches and colors of thread to give the look of your choice.

Place the gift inside the bag and fold the top over several times. You can cut off some of the bags if it is too tall.
Take it to the sewing machine and sew across the top. Get creative and play around with different types of stitches and colors.
Embellish the bag with a bow, sprig of greenery, bell, or whatever you fancy.

5- Mini Rosemary Wreath

I absolutely LOVE rosemary. Rosemary is awesome to cook with, craft with, and just enjoy the look in the garden. I am lucky enough to have a place on the South side of my house where it thrives and doesn’t freeze in the winter. We go out even during the winter to clip off some sprigs for a recipe or crafting.

Rosemary smells AMAZING! Adding a little sprig or wreath of rosemary not only adds such charm to a gift but also a clean aroma.

Items you’ll need:

A fresh sprig of rosemary. (Dried rosemary will crack when bending).
Floral wire or tape (2 strips cut to approximately 2 inches)
Ribbon for the bow (optional)

Instructions:

Cut a sprig of rosemary long enough to make the desired size of the wreath. (approximately 7-8 inches)
Bend the sprig to form a circle, overlapping ends about an inch.
Take the wires and wrap them around the ends to secure them in place. Try to wrap underneath the little leaves to hide the wires.
Embellish with a bow (optional)
Using a glue gun, apply to a gift package.

6- Bias Tape Trim with Button

Homemade bias tape is a fun way to add a fabric trim to any gift. Who would’ve thought? Such a fun way to add color to any gift wrapping. Just think of all the little fabric prints that you could use. You can just use a solid color of bias tape if you want. That you can buy at the store in several sizes and colors. But colors are limited, and they don’t sell printed bias tape.

I have a tutorial on how to make your own bias tape. You can locate the video HERE.

What you’ll need:

A strip of bias tape.
Hot glue gun/glue
Button or bow for the top (optional)

Instructions:

Simply wrap around the gift overlap about an inch.
Cut
Using a glue gun, glue the end of the trim to the backside, then overlap the other end and glue in place.
Leave just as it is, or embellish with a shiny button or whatever you choose.

7- Buttons, buttons, buttons

Here’s a fun way to use those buttons you’ve been saving. Am I the only one who has a jar, or two, of random colored and sized buttons? I eventually use them for something. Not only do I use them, but I also love the look of a jar filled with multi-colored gems sitting on my shelf.

What you need:

Handpicked buttons of your choice. Enough to cover the area you want.
Hot glue gun/glue
Twine for wrapping (optional)

Instructions:

Handpick and arrange the buttons in a way you like before gluing.
Keep them there, and one at a time add a dollop of glue to each button and adhere to the package.
Do the same thing with each button.
Wrap with a string of ribbon or jute (optional)

8- Holiday Baubles and Twine

Go through your Christmas decorations and look for a little miniature of things. These mini plastic bulbs look so cute tied up on a package.

Instructions:

Tie an arrangement of bulbs together with a thin piece of ribbon or cording.
Wrap the gift with jute or ribbon and insert the loop with the bulbs and tie a bow.

Simple, straight forward addition to any gift.

9- Rosemary & Bells

Little jingle bells are a great way to add a festive look to a holiday gift.

Items you’ll need:

jingle bells
ribbon or twine
rosemary or other greenery sprigs

Instructions:

String the bells onto a strip of ribbon or twine. (I love this red & white twine)!
Wrap the gift with twin, inserting the loop of bells.
Tie a bow.
Tuck the sprigs of rosemary under the twine.

Simple greenery & twine

One last shout out for ROSEMARY.

Just a few sprigs of rosemary, or any other greenery, tucked under a bow of twine is a classic and natural look.

So there you have it, a few gift wrapping ideas perhaps you haven’t thought of.

Perhaps this will get your brain thinking outside the box as far as gift wrapping goes. Don’t stop at the standard way of wrapping gifts, look inside your craft box, and use what you have!

Have fun wrapping!

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Share:

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

10 DIY Gift Ideas That You’re Going To Enjoy Making

October 28, 2023 / Christmas, Gifts and Cards, Holiday and Seasonal Crafts, Holidays and Seasonal Sewing, SEWING, Sewing Videos, Upcycled Sweater Sewing Projects / No Comments

How To Make Your Own Zipper Pull Tabs // Simple Craft

February 20, 2023 / Craft Video, CRAFTS, Embroidery, Felt Crafts, Tutorials, VIDEO AND AUDIO LIBRARY, Yarn Crafts / No Comments

Easy To Make Organizer Containers Using an Upcycled Tissue Box

February 18, 2023 / Craft Video, CRAFTS, DIY HOME, DIY Home Videos, Organizing, Paper, Recycling, Tutorials, VIDEO AND AUDIO LIBRARY / No Comments

10 Easy To Make DIY Valentine’s Day Decorations and Gift Ideas

January 19, 2023 / Craft Video, CRAFTS, Gifts and Cards, Holiday and Seasonal Crafts, Holidays and Seasonal Sewing, Paper, SEWING, Sewing Videos, Tutorials, Valentine’s Day, VIDEO AND AUDIO LIBRARY / No Comments

Christmas Christmas crafts Christmas oranges diy gifts gift wrapping Holidays

Non Traditional Christmas Trees

Who said your Christmas tree has to be a fir, spruce, or pine tree? I thought it might be fun to share some photos of the Non-Traditional Christmas Trees we have had over the years. I think I can count on one hand the years we have had a “normal” tree.

I am not sure if it is the crazy or cheap side of me that drives this creative craze. I remember going to one of my friend’s houses when I was a teenager and they had the coolest Christmas tree. It was a big cedar branch they had put lights on and was lightly decorated with ornaments. It was misshaped and looked like they had a tree growing in their house. I loved it!

I connected with that tree. How refreshing it was to see something “out of the box” and different. I am so glad I was able to see that tree and have my eyes opened and to know that you don’t have to do things like everyone else.

A lot of the pictures are just scans of photos, but you will get the idea. This was before the digital times.

1994

1995 topiary tree

As you can see, I had a little one crawling around the floor this year, so we cut off the lower branches and made a topiary tree.

1998 Cherry Tree

This was one of my most favorite trees of all. We had a cherry tree growing along the fence line that needed to come out. I could picture it with twinkle lights on and the branches spreading out over my living room. So my dear husband cut it down and made a stand for it and we brought a cherry tree into my house. I left that tree in my house for a year. In the spring, I made cute pink cherry blossoms.

In the summer I put green leaves and cherries on it, and in the fall the autumn leaves went on.

1999 My Autumn Cherry Tree

Cedar Tree

There is a funny story behind this tree. I was contemplating what to do for a tree this particular year. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on a tree and I was out of creative ideas. We had a huge wind storm in our area and a big branch from an old cedar tree in the back yard broke and fell to the ground.

I went out back and knew right then what we were going to do with it. We kid around and say our Christmas tree that year fell from heaven. I wish I had a better camera. The pictures just don’t do them justice.

2013 Curly Willow Tree

We have a curly willow tree, which always comes in handy for home decor projects and Christmas trees.

Curly Willow Christmas

I just searched interest for Nontraditional Christmas trees, and it was fun to see how many ideas there are out there. I guess I am not the only one out there brave enough to do things a little outside the box.

Here are a few links to some of the ones I thought were clever and fun.

So, if money is tight and you don’t want to spend $45 on a tree, you don’t have the space, or you just want to do something whimsy and fun, here are a few ideas for you.

Holiday decorating can be inexpensive, simple, lighthearted, and outside the box. Have fun and enjoy the holiday season.

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

Christmas Stocking Items & Materials Needed

Christmas Stocking Instructions

Cutting Out

Sewing

CUFF:

PIECED STOCKING:

LOOP:

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

SEWING THE CUFF ONTO THE STOCKING

Jan Howell

Share:

Connect:

Social Media

The Latest

Jan Howell

Related Posts

10 Gift Wrapping Ideas

1- Colored Rubber Bands

2- Reindeer Box

3- Dried Orange Slices

4- Paper bag sewn closed with sewing machine stitching

5- Mini Rosemary Wreath

6- Bias Tape Trim with Button

7- Buttons, buttons, buttons

8- Holiday Baubles and Twine

9- Rosemary & Bells

Simple greenery & twine

Jan Howell

Share:

Connect:

Social Media

The Latest

Jan Howell

Related Posts

1994

1995 topiary tree

1998 Cherry Tree

1999 My Autumn Cherry Tree

Cedar Tree

2013 Curly Willow Tree

Curly Willow Christmas

Jan Howell

Connect:

Jan Howell

Related Posts