How to Make a Christmas Stocking

Hanging a stocking by the fireplace for Santa to fill with goodies is a classic part of Christmas. For the young and young at heart, stockings are a joyous part of the holiday season. If you need a new stocking, it’s easy to sew your own! We’re going to share with you step-by-step instructions on how to sew your own stocking, and we’ll even include a PDF stocking template to help you create that perfect stocking shape.

Making your own stocking allows you to customize it to your holiday décor and taste. Make a unique stocking for every person in your family or sew a whole set that matches. Using bright colors will certainly bring out the Christmas spirit, or you could go for a more subtle, muted color palette for a rustic or old-fashioned look. Sailrite^® has plaid and tartan upholstery fabrics that would make a beautiful, traditional stocking. Or explore our selection of fun patterns or solids for a new take on this holiday staple. Type "holiday" or "Christmas" into the search box on our website to explore our selection of seasonal fabrics.

1. Download and print out the Christmas Stocking Pattern. Cut out the pieces and tape them together as shown on the pattern to create the stocking shape. Do not cut on the dotted "Cuff" line yet.

2. Lay the assembled stocking pattern out on your main body fabric and trace around the perimeter of the pattern with a soapstone pencil or fabric marker. Do this twice for both sides of the stocking. If your fabric has a right and wrong side, make sure you flip the template over for the second tracing so your stocking pieces will be right sides out when completed. Carefully cut out your stocking shapes.

3. Now cut out the "Cuff" portion of the stocking pattern and trace the cuff shape twice onto your cuff fabric. Again, if your cuff fabric has a right and wrong side, flip the cuff template for the second tracing. Cut out the cuff pieces.

4. Using 1/4-inch basting tape, create a 1/2-inch hem along the bottom of each cuff piece. Place the cuff on top of the stocking, aligning the top edges of cuff and stocking fabrics. Sew a row of straight stitches along the bottom of the cuff fabric. Repeat for the second stocking piece.

5. At the top of the stocking, fold the stocking and cuff fabric edges inward to create a 1/2-inch hem. The hems of each fabric should face each other so there are no visible fabric edges. You can either use basting tape, pins or Wonder Clips to hold the fabric layers in place. Sew a row of straight stitches along the top of the stocking. Repeat for the second stocking piece.

6. Cut about 6 inches of ribbon for the hanging loop. Fold the ribbon in half to make a loop. Use a small piece of basting tape to baste the ribbon ends together. Position the loop on the upper, heel-side corner of one of the stocking halves. You'll want to angle the ribbon at a slight diagonal so that the ribbon ends will be hidden in the seam when the stocking sides are sewn. Secure the loop with another small piece of basting tape.

7. Place the two halves of the stocking together, right sides facing each other. Sew a straight stitch around the perimeter of the stocking.

Optional: If you want to hide the raw edges of the fabric, sew binding around the perimeter of the stocking.

8. Turn the stocking right side out. Now it’s ready to hang on your mantel!

What colors and fabrics would you choose for your Christmas stocking? Share your ideas with us in the comments!