What you need to sew a basic Christmas stocking
A Christmas stocking is a fabric tube closed at one end with a cuff at the top and a foot that sticks out at a right angle. You can make one with two pieces of fabric, thread, a needle or sewing machine, and scissors. The simplest version takes about an hour if you sew by hand, or 20 minutes on a machine.
Gather these materials: two pieces of fabric (cotton or fleece work well), each about 9 inches wide and 15 inches tall; thread that matches or contrasts with your fabric; a needle or sewing machine; scissors; pins; and a ruler or measuring tape. If you want to add a cuff, you will need a third piece of fabric about 4 inches wide and 9 inches long. Polyester fiberfill or batting is optional if you want to pad the stocking, but it is not necessary for a basic version.
Key Takeaways
- Cut two identical pieces of fabric in a stocking shape—a rectangle with a foot attached at the bottom—and pin them together with the good sides facing inward.
- Sew around the edges, leaving the top open, then turn the stocking right-side out through that opening.
- Fold and sew a cuff piece around the top edge to finish the opening and add a hanging loop.
- Hand-sewing takes longer but requires no machine; machine-sewing is faster and produces stronger seams.
How to cut the stocking pieces
Draw or print a stocking template on paper. A straightforward shape is a rectangle 8 inches wide and 12 inches tall, with a foot attached at the bottom right corner—a rectangle 4 inches wide and 4 inches tall, positioned so the foot sticks out to the right. Tape the template to your first piece of fabric and cut around it with scissors. Flip the template and cut the second piece so you have two identical shapes.
If you do not want to draw a template, you can fold one piece of fabric in half lengthwise, cut a rectangle, then cut a foot shape from the folded bottom corner. When you unfold it, you will have a symmetrical stocking. Lay both pieces on top of each other and check that they match before you move forward.
Pinning and sewing the main stocking body
Place the two fabric pieces with the good sides facing inward—the sides you want to show on the finished stocking should be touching each other. Pin around all the edges, leaving the top open. If you are sewing by hand, use a running stitch (needle in and out of the fabric in a straight line) about one-quarter inch from the edge. If you are using a machine, set it to a straight stitch and sew at the same distance from the edge.
Sew all the way around the stocking and foot, stopping at the top edge. Do not sew the top closed—you need that opening to turn the stocking right-side out. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam (or lock the stitch on a machine) so the thread does not unravel. Once you reach the end, remove the pins.
Turning the stocking right-side out
Reach through the opening at the top and grab the foot of the stocking from the inside. Pull gently until the entire stocking turns inside out through the opening. The good sides of the fabric are now facing outward. Use your fingers to push out the corners, especially where the foot meets the leg, so the shape is crisp and flat.
If the seams are bunched or wrinkled, lay the stocking on a flat surface and smooth them with your hand. You can press it with an iron on low heat if the fabric allows it, but this step is optional. The stocking now has its basic shape.
Adding a cuff to finish the top
Cut a strip of fabric (the same fabric or a contrasting color) about 4 inches wide and 9 inches long. Fold it in half lengthwise with good sides facing inward, and sew the short ends together to form a loop. Turn it right-side out. You now have a cuff that is 2 inches wide when folded.
Slide the cuff over the top of the stocking so the raw edges of the cuff line up with the raw edge of the stocking opening. Pin all the way around. Sew the cuff to the stocking using a running stitch or machine stitch, about one-quarter inch from the edge. When you fold the cuff down over the top of the stocking, it will hide the raw edges and give the stocking a finished look.
Adding a hanging loop
Before you sew the cuff down, you can add a loop so the stocking hangs from a mantel or hook. Cut a strip of fabric or use a piece of ribbon about 1 inch wide and 4 inches long. Fold it in half and tuck the folded end between the cuff and the stocking at the back seam, so only the loop sticks out. When you sew the cuff to the stocking, the loop will be caught in the seam and will not come loose.
If you forget to add the loop before sewing the cuff, you can hand-stitch it to the inside of the cuff after the stocking is finished. Use a needle and thread that matches the cuff fabric, and make small stitches so they do not show from the outside.
Hand-sewing versus machine-sewing
Hand-sewing gives you more control and requires no equipment beyond a needle and thread. A running stitch is the simplest: push the needle through both layers of fabric, pull it out about one-quarter inch ahead, and repeat. The seam will be strong enough for a stocking that holds small gifts. Hand-sewing takes longer—usually 45 minutes to an hour—but many people find it relaxing.
Machine-sewing is faster and produces a tighter, more durable seam. Set your machine to a straight stitch with a stitch length of 2 to 2.5 millimeters. Sew at a steady pace and keep the edge of the fabric aligned with the one-quarter-inch mark on your presser foot. A machine-sewn stocking takes about 20 minutes and will last through many years of use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sew a stocking by hand if I have never sewn before?
Yes. A running stitch is the easiest hand-sewing technique and is all you need. Practice on scrap fabric first to get a feel for the rhythm, then move to your stocking pieces. Your stitches do not have to be perfect—uneven stitches add charm and will not affect how the stocking holds up.
What fabric works best for a Christmas stocking?
Cotton, fleece, and linen are all good choices. Fleece is forgiving because it does not fray at the edges and is soft to touch. Cotton is traditional and takes dye well if you want to add designs. Avoid very stretchy fabrics like spandex, which are hard to sew in a straight line.
Do I have to add a cuff?
No. You can fold the raw edge of the stocking opening inward by one-quarter inch, pin it, and sew it closed with a ladder stitch (a nearly invisible stitch that closes an opening from the outside). A cuff is easier and looks more finished, but a folded edge works if you prefer a simpler look.
How do I add padding to make the stocking thicker?
Cut two pieces of batting or fiberfill the same size as your fabric pieces. Glue or pin the batting to the wrong side of each fabric piece before you pin them together. Then sew as normal. The padding will make the stocking feel plush and help it hold its shape.
What if my seams come undone after I fill the stocking?
Reinforce the seams by sewing over them again with a needle and thread, using small, close stitches. Pay special attention to the corners where the foot meets the leg, as these areas take the most stress. If a seam splits completely, you can patch it by sewing a strip of fabric over the tear on the inside of the stocking.