Stocking Tutorial

I started out with this painter's drop cloth from Lowes.

I traced an old stocking onto a piece of paper, to get the right size for the stocking.  I adjusted the shape to fit the look I wanted.

I used the traced shape as a template.   I traced the shape onto the drop cloth 6 times (for 6 stockings- I made an extra), flipped it over onto the other side and traced another 6.   Flipping halfway through ensured that all trace marks would be on the inside when completed and not show.

Place the two sides, ink marks OUT, together, and sew- leaving the top of the stocking open.

At this point I hopped on Word and printed my names onto fabric transfer paper.  Make sure you print them in mirror image.

I traced the cut out names onto cardboard to make a template for the name tags.

I cut out the pieces of fabric to size, using the template as a guide.  I then ironed on my names.

After turning the main part of the stocking right side out, I placed it on another sheet of cardboard, to create a template for the cuff.

I traced the cuff template onto the drop cloth fabric, 6 times using one side, 6 times using the flip side.

I then pinned them together, once again ink side out, and sewed up the two outside edges.  You'll noticed I left the top and bottom unsewn, and I also used a pin to identify which side was the top.

Next I made the pleat.  I actually cut the drop cloth every 1.5 inches and then ripped to create the ragged edges.    Then just run through the sewing machine, folding as you go.

I pinned a hem onto the bottom of the cuff, placed the pleat onto the cuff, and sewed it on- continuing around to create one long hem seam all the way around the cuff.

I then attached the top of the pleat, sewing just the front.

Finally, I pinned on each name tag.

After sewing all the way around the tag, I pulled some of the threads to create a fringed look.

I placed the cuff over the main body of the stocking, pinning it into place.  After sewing all the way around the top of the stocking, I again fringed the top.  You could also fold the top of the cuff into the main body of the stocking, and then sewing, creating a more finished look.

I attached a ribbon to hang each stocking from.

I then attached a stocking charm to each one, which I bought at Walmart for only $1 each.  LOVE them.

Thank you for looking!

-Courtney

Linking to:  http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/2010/12/making-monday-marvelous-35.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FXZIo+%28C.R.A.F.T.%29

Heirloom Stockings.

Okay, maybe not Heirloom, but we'll call them that because it makes me feel better about my workmanship.

:)

I actually really like them, and they're neutral enough that I can add different charms from year to year, if I'd like, to make them fit with different looks.

Long, drawn out, boring tutorial coming tomorrow.  :)

-Courtney

Linking to:  Boring to Better

New Euro Pillows!

Remember this extra fabric, used in the Fabric as Art post?

Well, I also had some extra white duck from the baby bedding project.

I also had two euro pillow forms that weren't being used.

My bare-minimums husband hates that I store extra 'stuff', but it really comes in handy for making extra projects for FREE.  :)

After measuring, I discovered that my striped fabric pieces weren't wide enough to cover the Euro pillows.  Rats.  I knew I'd have to use the white duck as the back, but I soon realized I'd also have to create some sort of border with the white to make the striped fabric fully cover the front.

It's a bit hard to see on the white comforter, but the following photo shows white strips sewn to two sides.

I then sewed the same size border pieces to the top and bottom leaving the corners loose.

I then pinned the corners like so, and sewed.

After completing all four corners, I just finished up in the normal pillow method- face the fabrics together, pin, sew, flip, stuff, and sew shut.

Bed before:

Bed after!

The ultimate frugal DIY... using things you already have, and not spending a dime, to create a look you want.

:)

-Courtney

Linking up to:

Dropcloth Slipcover.

Here she is!

And here she was:

The chair was made in a slipcover style, NOT an actual slipcover.  And, it had seen better days.   The ottoman is actually slip covered, and I plan on redoing that too.

On an easiness scale of 1-10, 10 being simplest, I rate this a 6.   It was actually pretty easy, it was just time consuming.   I went without any special cording or piping, as I just wanted to see if I could get the thing made at all, even in a simple form.  :)

It took two drop cloths to complete this project, which at around $15 each, cost $30.

Someone who is more skilled than I might be able to get by with only one, but I had to make a few extra cuts and had quite a few scraps.

My process was simple, and I really just figured it out as I went.  I'm sure a google search on dropcloth slipcover tutorial would come up with something for those of you who would want a step by step.

I did take a few photos along the way though, and here they are.

The easiest way to describe my method was to pin all of the pieces together, then just slip it off and take it over to the sewing machine.

Photo courtesy of my five year old.  haha.

Once sewn and trimmed up, it looked something like this.

I continued piece by piece until I had the whole thing sewn together, just inside out.

Then, I flipped it to show the right side.

At this point I still needed to finish off the bottom hem, so I pinned until it was level all the way around, and then double sewed a hem.

For the cushion, I created flaps, somewhat like a box and ties to hold it all together. 

And here it is in the Nursery Nook.

With the ottoman, that I haven't quite decided what to do with yet, haha.

-Courtney

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