I love making things in two’s – there’s something about creating in pairs that feels good and satisfying. Below you’ll see two similar ideas for creating mini-stockings using organic cotton batting for the base.
While at the craft store recently I picked up this one pretty poinsetta…I love that it’s well-worn looking and pre-glittered.
Although this flower is pretty as is, I mainly bought it with plans to take it apart. After separating the petals I used them to create an accent for this stocking.
Here are some of the other supplies that I used. The front (semi-transparent part) of the stocking is a recycled dryer sheet that I pre-dyed in a tea bath.
To make the stocking, begin by using scissors to cut a mini-stocking shape from organic cotton batting and a recycled dryer sheet (2 identical pieces – 1 front, 1 back.) Then use sandpaper and Distress Ink (applied with a stiff stencil brush) to add an aged appearance to a scrapbook paper flower. Next, type a holiday message such as “Happy wonderful holiday*” onto a scrap piece of paper and machine sew this on top of a piece of canvas fabric.
To assemble the stocking, place the recycled dryer sheet piece on top of the cotton batting and machine sew around the edges, leaving the top open. Then use pinking shears to trim around the stocking edges. To attach the flower, leaves and tag accent to the stocking, use a sparkly brad to pierce through the center of the flower, the left-hand side of each leaf, the top of the tag and through both layers of the stocking at the top right-hand corner (first use a hand awl to punch a small hole through all the layers.) Next, wrap ribbon around the brad, creating a hanging loop. Lastly, tuck a handwritten message into the stocking – the semi-transparent quality of the dryer sheet allows a sneak peak inside.
Here’s another version of a stocking minus the recycled dryer sheet.
To begin making this stocking, use scissors to cut a stocking shape from organic cotton batting (2 identical pieces – 1 front, 1 back.) To the front side of the stocking, machine stitch stocking details at the toe and heel. Then stack the layers and machine sew the stocking together around the edges, leaving the top open.
To create a hanging loop, use a hole punch to create two holes through the stocking layers at the top at opposite ends. Then use the hole on the left side of the stocking to attach a wire (24 gauge) handle, and leave the right side unattached for adding an embellished earring. Next, attach a beaded dangle to the back of a vintage earring using the existing earring clip part. To attach the vintage earring with beaded dangle to the stocking, wrap the end of the wire handle (on the right side) around the back of the earring clip part, then through the holes of the stocking several times, pinching the wire end to keep it secure. Lastly, to add some body to the stocking, tuck some tulle inside (you can also choose to wrap a small gift inside the tulle.)
Here’s another look at both stockings…happy, wonderful crafting!
18 Comments, Comment or Ping
i like how you saw the potential of the flower and took it apart. my favorite, of course, are the messages you attach to your creations.
November 17th, 2010
Super cute! I’ve been working on stocking garland made from the paper I sent you. We’ll see how they turn out. I hope to have some time this weekend to play with them some more. Have a great day!
November 17th, 2010
Vicki, I haven’t gotten around to playing with the paper you sent me yet, but hope to soon. Please let me know when you’ve finished creating with yours…I’d love to see!
November 17th, 2010
Oh, Becky,
You make something so beautiful out of materials like dryer sheets! Your style just amazes me!
I am busy making jewelry for our Christmas show next month. We really need to create. Our inventory is so low. I find myself making “components”…just can’t quite get it together to make a whole piece. I think Silver Bella has done me in (temporarily, of course!)
Hugs,
Suz
November 17th, 2010
I love these fabulous creations! I love stockings: I love all the treasures
and thought that goes into them~ One of my favorite holiday traditions!
Thanks for sharing; I am putting these on my to do list~
I love the potential of paper, dryer sheets and batting; You have created magic! xXx
November 17th, 2010
So in love with these and the stockings are the perfect thing I needed for some little gifts, thanks for the inspiration as always.
love me 🙂
November 17th, 2010
beautiful little stockings!! i love all of the thoughtful little touches that you add……and that tulle peeking out is so much fun!!! thanks for sharing how you make them! xoxo
November 18th, 2010
Lovely! And what a great alternative to a boring gift card holder!
November 19th, 2010
oh my goodness, what sweet little things they are. you have the most wonderful imagination. thanks for sharing all your talent.
November 19th, 2010
becky….
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
for always being so willing to teach and to share and to encourage.
you have the most wonderful creative mind and it is SOOO generous.
your trip to R.I. looked heavenly. so happy you were able to get away.
sending you HUGE hugs.
xo
c
November 20th, 2010
Thanks so much ladies – I really appreciate your supportive comments.
November 20th, 2010
Becky, these are precious! So quick and easy to make too! And the personal touch possibilities are endless!
Hugs, Diane
November 20th, 2010
Becky,
can you come to cali and visit me and sprinkle some of your creative magic on me!!!
these are so stinkin cute…..and love the use of the recycled dryer sheet!!!!
sending you squeezes
oxoxoxoxo
k
November 20th, 2010
such sweet stockings.
& i love to also see your hands
holding them…
your hands that also come
in twos.
xox
November 21st, 2010
Your little stocking is simply adorable-love all the special touches!
November 21st, 2010
You always come up with great ideas.
December 2nd, 2010
Your little stockings are so adorable Becky. It seems that everything you make brings back memories of something similar that I made 35 and 40 years ago. Our stocking tree ornaments were also made from felt and stitched together however, there were no dryer sheets at that time 🙂 I have, in the recent past painted dryer sheets and sewed them onto a fabric journal with embellishments. Quite lovely for a blushing brides’ wedding planner.
Becky, I do have a question which I know you’ll have the answer. I learned how to type on a manual typewriter in the 50s in an all-girls Catholic school. I want to purchase one to type on my fabric creations. I did locate one in an antique shop for $65, but the ribbon isn’t all inked anymore. What do you think of that price (I read that you have one) and where do you get new ribbons for your typewriter? This one is the Underwood brand.
God’s many blessings to you and yours, Lizzie
January 19th, 2011
Lizzie, to answer your typewriter question: I had my ribbon replaced at a nearby shop. Try googling “typewriter repair” to find one in your area. And while mine was in the shop having the ribbon replaced I also had the entire machine cleaned (this part substantially added to the total cost of repair, but it was worth it to me.) At first, these typewriters can be costly to get them into proper working order, but then you should be all set for many years to come.
January 19th, 2011
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