Tutorial: Scrappy Stocking Christmas Ornament

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I'm so excited to have a tutorial to share today!! I was inspired by a custom project I did recently for a lovely customer (more on that soon) to create some patchwork stocking ornaments. This is an awesome scrap-busting project. It is simple and pretty quick: you can sew half a dozen ornaments in an afternoon. And the result is so cute! (At least I think so, I hope you do too!)




I decided to leave the edges raw, so they fray a little bit. I think that's part of the charm of this scrappy stocking, but if you don't like that style, you can use that fray spray, or sew the stocking right sides together and turn it inside out. My tutorial will show you how to make the raw-edges top-stitched wrong-sides-together version shown in the above photo.

Here we go with the tutorial (if my kids let me focus long enough, oy).

Scrappy Stocking Christmas Ornament




For this project you will need:
- fabric scraps (I used quilting cotton and natural linen)
- batting scraps
- lightweight interfacing (optional)
- felt scraps for the cuff (optional)
- ribbon, yarn or twine for the hanging loop
- scissors, sewing machine, thread, pins, washable fabric marker


1. Download and print out the Ornament pattern (PDF here). Cut out the stocking shape, and the optional cuff if you'd like. Note: I apologize for the crappy quality of this pattern. It was made way past my bedtime after caring for a puking, feverish baby all day. He's much better today, thank goodness.

2. Bust out that scrap bin. Select scraps that are least 7 inches long. They don't have to be perfect rectangles or the same width.




3. Choose a handful of scraps in a color scheme you like. I went with monochromatic arrangements, combined with some natural linen. Lay out your scraps in an order that looks pleasing to your eye.




4. Time to sew those scraps together. Right sides together and using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, create your scrappy patchwork. The strips don't have to be straight. The wonkier, the better! Keep adding strips until you have a piece of patchwork measuring at least 7 inches wide by 5 inches.




5. Press all your seams to one side. Flip your patchwork over and press from the right side too, to make sure everything is nice and flat. OPTIONAL: At this point, you can add some iron-on lightweight interfacing to the wrong side. It is not necessary, but I think it helps with the structure.




6. Lay your stocking pattern shape onto the patchwork, find a layout that you like, then trace the shape with the washable marker. (If you're happy with a random layout of prints, then trace your shape on the wrong side of the fabric! I like to see exactly what parts of the different prints are included so I do it on the right side.) Flip your stocking pattern shape over and trace a second stocking.




7. Carefully cut out your two stocking shapes.




8. Cut out the smaller stocking shape from batting. Layer it between the two stocking pieces.




9. Cut a length of ribbon or twine that is roughly 7 inches long. Fold it in half and tuck at least 1/2 inch of the ends between the fabric layers at the top of the stocking.




10. Pin everything carefully. You want to make sure you secure the ribbon or twine at the top, that all edges match, and that the batting is securely in the middle (there should be about 1/4 inch of "free" space all around the batting).




11. Using your sewing machine, top-stitch all the way around your stocking, removing pins as you go. You'll want to stitch about 1/8 inch from the edge.




You can do a straight-stitch like the photo above, double-up the straight stitch or do a zig-zag stitch like the photos below. If your machine is fancier than mine, you could have fun with decorative stitches. Or use a hande needle to embroider a running or blanket stitch. Lots of options here!




12. Trim carefully around the edges. Make sure not to clip any stitches. You just want to clean up the edges and even out the layers.

And ta-da you are done!




The variations are endless for this design. You could line the stocking and leave the top open to create a little pouch and hide a tiny gift. Or increase the size and make it a gift card holder. Or use one piece of fabric instead of patchwork, and embellish with a felt cuff (included in pattern) like I did with this one below.




Update: I made more of these stockings and listed 5 pairs in my shop! In case, ya know, you're more interested in buying them than making them...

Update 2: Modifications for turning this ornament into a gift card holder are explained briefly in my post about teacher gifts here.

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What do you think of these little Scrappy Stockings? Are you going to make some? I'd love to see if you do! What are some of your favorite ornaments to make? Please share in the comments.