What you need to make a basic Christmas stocking
A Christmas stocking is a fabric tube closed at one end with a cuff at the top and a foot section that sticks out at a right angle. You can make one with two pieces of fabric, a needle, thread, and scissors—no pattern required. The simplest version takes about an hour if you sew by hand, or 20 minutes on a machine.
Gather two pieces of fabric (cotton, fleece, or felt all work), each about 10 inches wide and 14 inches tall. You will also need thread that matches or contrasts with your fabric, a needle or sewing machine, scissors, pins, and a ruler or measuring tape. If you want a cuff, grab a third piece of fabric about 4 inches wide and 10 inches long. Stuffing or fiberfill is optional—it helps the stocking hold its shape.
Key Takeaways
- Cut two identical fabric pieces and pin them together with the right sides facing inward, then sew three sides closed, leaving the top open.
- Turn the stocking right-side-out through the open top, then fold and sew a cuff strip around the opening if you want one.
- Sew the foot section closed by folding the bottom corner inward and stitching across it to create the angled foot shape.
- A hand-sewn stocking takes about an hour; a machine-sewn one takes 20 to 30 minutes.
- Fleece and felt are forgiving fabrics for beginners because they do not fray and do not require hemming.
Cutting and pinning the fabric pieces
Lay both fabric pieces flat on a table and stack them on top of each other. Use a ruler to mark a rectangle 10 inches wide and 14 inches tall on the top piece with a pencil or fabric marker. Cut through both layers at once so both pieces are identical. This is your stocking body.
Place the two pieces with the right sides facing each other—the pretty side of the fabric should be on the inside, touching the other pretty side. Pin around three sides, leaving the top edge unpinned. This top edge will be your opening. Space pins about 2 inches apart so the fabric does not shift while you sew.
Sewing the three closed sides
Thread your needle or load your sewing machine. If sewing by hand, use a running stitch: push the needle through both layers, pull it out about a quarter-inch forward, push it back in, and repeat. Keep your stitches small and even, about a quarter-inch apart. Sew along the bottom and both long sides, staying about half an inch from the edge.
If using a machine, set it to a straight stitch and sew at a medium speed, keeping the edge of the presser foot aligned with the fabric edge. Backstitch at the start and end of each seam to lock the thread. Leave the top edge completely open—do not sew it yet.
Once you finish the three sides, remove the pins. You now have a fabric tube that is inside-out, with the seams on the outside.
Turning the stocking right-side-out and adding a cuff
Reach into the open top of the stocking and grab the bottom corner from the inside. Pull it up and out through the opening. Keep pulling gently until the entire stocking flips inside-out. The seams are now hidden on the inside, and the pretty fabric faces outward. Push the corners out gently with your fingers so they are sharp and square.
If you want a cuff, fold your third fabric piece in half lengthwise so it is 2 inches wide and 10 inches long. Pin it around the inside of the stocking opening with the raw edges aligned. Sew it in place with a running stitch or machine stitch, then fold the cuff down over the top edge of the stocking so it frames the opening. Fold the raw edge of the cuff inward and hand-stitch it closed, or leave it raw if your fabric does not fray.
Creating the foot by closing the bottom corner
Lay the stocking flat on a table with the opening facing up. Look at the bottom—you will see a flat seam running across it. Fold one bottom corner up so the seam runs diagonally across the corner, creating a triangle. Pin this triangle in place.
Sew across the base of the triangle, about half an inch from the fold. This seam closes off the corner and creates the angled foot shape. Trim any excess fabric close to the seam, then fold the stocking so the foot sticks out at a right angle to the leg. The stocking now has its classic shape.
Finishing touches and hanging hardware
If you used fleece or felt, your stocking is done—these fabrics do not fray. If you used cotton or another woven fabric, you can trim any loose threads with scissors. Lightly press the stocking with an iron on low heat if it looks wrinkled.
To hang your stocking, sew a small loop of ribbon, twine, or fabric strip to the inside of the cuff at one corner. Make the loop about 2 inches long so it fits over a hook or mantel. Alternatively, sew a button to the outside of the cuff and hang the stocking from a thumbtack or ornament hook through the button hole.
Troubleshooting common sewing mistakes
If your stitches are uneven or loose, the seam may pull apart when you stuff the stocking. Go back and reinforce weak spots with a second line of stitching, or tie off the thread more securely at the start and end. If the fabric puckers while you sew, you may be pulling too hard—let the needle and thread do the work, and guide the fabric gently with your fingers.
If the foot does not sit at a right angle, the corner seam may be too far from the fold. Unpick that seam with a seam ripper or small scissors and resew it closer to the corner. If the opening is crooked or uneven, trim it with scissors before adding the cuff so the cuff sits straight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a stocking without a sewing machine?
Yes. Hand sewing with a needle and thread works perfectly and takes about an hour. Use a running stitch and keep your stitches small and close together so the seams are strong. Fleece and felt are especially forgiving for hand sewing because they do not fray if your stitches are not perfect.
What fabric is easiest for a beginner?
Fleece and felt are the most forgiving because they do not fray, do not require hemming, and hide imperfect stitches well. Cotton is also straightforward but requires careful cutting and sewing to prevent fraying at the edges. Avoid slippery fabrics like satin or silk until you have more experience.
How do I make the stocking bigger or smaller?
Adjust the width and height of your fabric rectangles. A 12-by-16-inch rectangle makes a larger stocking; an 8-by-12-inch rectangle makes a smaller one. Keep the proportions roughly the same—width should be about two-thirds of the height—so the stocking looks balanced.
Can I add decorations like embroidery or appliqués?
Yes, but add them before you sew the two fabric pieces together. Embroider or glue decorations onto one fabric piece while it is flat, then pin and sew as usual. Appliqués (fabric shapes glued or sewn on top) should be sewn down securely so they do not come loose when the stocking is handled.
What do I do if I sew the opening closed by mistake?
Use a seam ripper or small scissors to carefully cut and remove the stitches along the top edge. Pull the thread out gently so you do not tear the fabric. Once the opening is clear, you can turn the stocking right-side-out and add a cuff if you want.