Our Stockings

I told you I was determined to make us a set of stockings this year.  And, like I said earlier, I originally thought I would (try to) make sweater stockings.  In fact, I was running around town to all the thrift stores in search of sweaters . . . that is, until I saw this old Christmas rug waiting on me in the "Christmas section."  Its faded-out letters and old school santas kind of reminded me of old grain sacks and thought surely I could recreate this rug . . . into our stockings.

First, I traced a handmade stocking pattern on the rug with a pencil.  I pinned my backside fabric to the rug and cut out both fabrics . . .

which left me with this.

Next, I sewed the edges of both fabrics at the top of the stockings.  Then, I sewed all the way around the stockings several times (both zig zag stitch and straight stitch) . . . just to be sure it would hold all of Santa's loot.

Originally, I thought I'd do a red zig zag stitch around the edges . . . however, I couldn't seem to get it looking right.  In the end, I used a heavy duty yarn needle and hand sewed all the way around the stocking.

Lastly, I took a scrap piece from the original rug and hand sewed (with doubled-up heavy duty thread) a small loop at the top corner.

I got a few letters from Hobby Lobby and tied it with a strand of jute rope.

I'm THRILLED to finally have stockings up this year!  

Hopefully Santa can get on the ball and find a few things to go inside!!

Linked up to: Nifty Thrifty Things, C.R.A.F.T. , Homemaker on a Dime, Making the World Cuter, Everything Under the Moon, The Girl Creative, Lines Across my Face, Sassy Sites, Chef in Training, Not Just a Housewife, Sugarbee Crafts, The Thrifty Home, JAQS Studio, Blue Cricket Design, Uncommon, Organize & Decorate Everything, Frugally Sustainable , Someday Crafts, Southern Lovely, 733, Keeping Christmas Spirits Alive, 365, The Artsy Girl Connection, House of Hepworths, Mess for Less, Saved By Love Creations, Between U and Me, The Shabby Creek Cottage, The Crafty Nest, Sassy Sites, Finding Fabulous, Nifty Thrifty Things, Everything Under the Moon, Design Dazzle, Ninth & Bird, Funky Junk Interiors, Too Much Time On My Hands, Sassafrass Salvation, Tatertots & Jello Pin It Now!