with care
Well, I managed to sneak in a couple of handmade projects for the holidays after all.
I've been wanting to make new stockings for the boys for quite awhile (*quite* awhile), and along about December 23 I decided I would go ahead and whip them up.
Inspired by this book (isbn #4-579-11012-9), Freehand Embroidery, as well as the traditional felt stocking of my youth, I embroidered their names onto grey flannel. Everyone chose a different red and white cotton for the inside of their stocking. (Oh, yes, I'm making them for the grown-ups as well, although those didn't get finished by Christmas.)
It is embarrassing how quickly these came together considering how long I procrastinated before making them. So easy!
Lori
12 Comments
Reader Comments (12)
Laura
The stockings look great. Did the boys like them?
the boys *loved* their new stockings. i had planned all sorts of possible embellishments, but as soon as they saw their names they said "stop! stop!" and didn't want anything added. they are very controlling. i don't know where they get it.
i think this same embroidery technique could make some really killer snowflakes, don't you?
in answer to these questions and some that were e-mailed:
i made the pattern by tracing a little decorative stocking that i liked the shape of, then measuring and marking to increase it in size 2 inches around. i traced onto heavy paper and cut it out; i've pinned the same pattern piece four times and it's still in good shape.
i cut all four layers of material for the stocking at once with good sewing shears. *pin carefully* so things don't shift around while you are cutting. don't be stingy with the pins! :^) and be sure to layer the fabric the way the stocking will be made, e.g., a front and a back for each fabric. (face the two layers of cotton print toward each other and the two layers of outer fabric away from each other.)
i embroidered *before* i sewed it all together. i did not use interfacing. to slightly stabilize the cotton string/yarn that you are basically tacking on, i put a couple of stitches through the ends that might fray (from the back; they don't show), about 1/8-inch from the ends (so they could fray that little bit).
the loops for hanging are cotton twill tape, gorgeous and thick. these were handles to a shopping bag or gift bag. i always save them and put them in the sewing stash for this kind of thing.
i ordered the book from yesasia.com, but i could not (of course) locate a link for it, even typing in the isbn. hopefully it's still available! it's a *great* book with a lot of ideas for free-form embroidery projects. if you order a certain reasonable amount (i think it's $25) from yesasia, they have free international shipping -- sweet deal, and i have always been pleased with their service.
thank you again for your kind words! :^)
aw, molly, thank you so much. you, too, on all counts. xo
Here is a link to the book
http://www.modern-craft.net/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_66&products_id=197
amy, thank you so much! that makes my day. :^)