What You Need to Make a Christmas Stocking
A basic Christmas stocking is two pieces of fabric sewn together, turned right-side out, and finished at the top. You will need fabric (cotton, fleece, or felt all work), 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 or lining, have a second fabric ready. Most stockings use between half a yard and three-quarters of a yard of main fabric.
Before you buy fabric, decide whether you want a straightforward stocking or one with details. A basic stocking takes about two hours. Adding a cuff, lining, or appliqué adds another hour or two. Hand-sewing takes longer than machine-sewing, but both produce a finished stocking. If you have never sewn before, a straightforward stocking with a sewing machine is the easiest starting point.
Key Takeaways
- Cut two identical stocking-shaped pieces from your main fabric, then pin them together with the right sides facing inward.
- Sew around the edges with a quarter-inch seam allowance, leaving the top open, then turn the stocking right-side out through that opening.
- Finish the top edge by folding the raw fabric inward and sewing it closed by hand or machine, or by adding a cuff of contrasting fabric.
- A cuff is optional but hides the seam at the top and adds visual interest — cut a rectangle of fabric, sew it into a loop, and attach it to the stocking opening.
- Hand-sewing takes longer but requires only a needle and thread; machine-sewing is faster and produces a stronger seam.
Cutting Your Stocking Pattern
Start by drawing or printing a stocking shape. The shape should be roughly a boot or sock — a vertical rectangle with a foot section extending to the right at the bottom. A typical stocking is 8 to 10 inches tall (not counting the cuff) and 4 to 5 inches wide at the leg. The foot extends another 4 to 5 inches to the right and is about 3 inches tall. You can make yours larger or smaller depending on how much you want to fill it.
Lay your pattern on the fabric and pin it down. Cut around the pattern with sharp scissors, cutting through one layer of fabric only. Flip the pattern over and cut a second identical piece from the same fabric or a different fabric if you want a lined stocking. Mark the top edge of both pieces lightly with a pencil so you know which edge is the opening. You now have two stocking pieces ready to sew.
Sewing the Two Pieces Together
Place the two stocking pieces with the right sides (the pretty sides) facing each other and the wrong sides (the back sides) facing outward. Pin around all the edges except the top. If you are using a sewing machine, set it to a straight stitch and thread it with thread that matches your fabric or contrasts if you want the seam to show.
Sew around the pinned edges with a quarter-inch seam allowance — that means the needle should be about a quarter inch from the edge of the fabric. Start at one corner of the top and sew down one side, around the foot, and up the other side, stopping at the other corner of the top. Leave the top edge completely unsewn. This opening is how you will turn the stocking right-side out. Backstitch at the beginning and end to lock the thread.
If you are hand-sewing, use a running stitch or backstitch and follow the same path: down one side, around the foot, and up the other side, leaving the top open. Hand-sewing takes longer but gives you more control, especially around curves. Take small, even stitches about an eighth inch apart.
Turning and Finishing the Top Edge
Carefully turn the stocking right-side out through the opening at the top. Use a blunt tool like a wooden spoon handle to push the foot section out fully and smooth the seams. The pretty side of the fabric should now be facing outward. Press the stocking flat with an iron if you have one, paying special attention to the seams and the top opening.
To finish the top, fold the raw edges of the opening inward by about half an inch on both the front and back pieces. Pin the fold in place. Sew the opening closed by hand using a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch), which hides the thread inside the fold. If you prefer to use a sewing machine, sew close to the folded edge all the way around. Either way, the top edge is now sealed and the stocking is complete.
Adding a Cuff for a Polished Look
A cuff is a band of fabric sewn to the top of the stocking. It hides the seam where you closed the opening and adds a professional finish. Cut a rectangle of fabric (the same fabric as the stocking or a contrasting color) that is 3 to 4 inches tall and long enough to wrap around the top of the stocking with a half-inch overlap. For example, if your stocking opening is 5 inches around, cut a rectangle 5.5 inches wide and 3 inches tall.
Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise with right sides together and sew the short ends together to form a loop. Turn the loop right-side out and press it flat. Slide the loop over the top of the stocking with right sides together, matching the raw edges. Pin all the way around and sew with a quarter-inch seam allowance. Fold the cuff upward and press. If you want the cuff to stay folded down, hand-stitch the bottom edge of the cuff to the stocking with a few stitches on the inside.
Adding a Lining (Optional)
A lining is a second layer of fabric inside the stocking that hides the seams and adds structure. To line a stocking, cut two lining pieces the same size and shape as your main stocking pieces. Sew them together the same way you sewed the main pieces, but leave a 2-inch opening at the top for turning. Turn the lining right-side out and press it.
Slide the lining inside the main stocking with wrong sides together (so the pretty sides of both fabrics face outward). Pin the top edges together and sew them closed with a quarter-inch seam allowance, catching the lining as you go. The lining is now permanently attached and the seams are hidden. If you add a cuff, attach it to both the main stocking and the lining at the same time.
Hanging Loop and Final Details
Most stockings need a loop or hanger so they can hang from a mantel or hook. Cut a strip of fabric 1 inch wide and 4 to 5 inches long. Fold it in half lengthwise with right sides together and sew along the long edge. Turn it right-side out and press. Fold the loop in half to form a U-shape and pin the raw ends to the inside top edge of the stocking before you sew the cuff on, or hand-stitch it to the inside seam after the stocking is complete.
If you want to personalize your stocking, add a name or initials with embroidery, fabric paint, or an iron-on patch before you sew the two pieces together. You can also sew on buttons, appliqués, or ribbons after the stocking is finished. Let any paint or glue dry completely before handling the stocking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sew a stocking by hand if I don't have a sewing machine?
Yes. Use a needle, thread, and a backstitch or running stitch. Hand-sewing takes longer — usually three to four hours instead of two — but produces the same result. Take small, even stitches and backstitch at the start and end of each seam to keep it from unraveling.
What fabric works best for a Christmas stocking?
Cotton, fleece, felt, and linen all work well. Cotton is affordable and straightforward to sew. Fleece is soft and forgiving for beginners. Felt does not fray, so you can skip hemming the edges. Avoid stretchy fabrics like knit or jersey unless you have sewn with them before.
How do I keep the seams from fraying?
Finish the raw edges inside the stocking with a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine, or trim them close and seal them with a thin line of fabric glue. If you use felt, the edges will not fray at all. For cotton or linen, a zigzag stitch is the quickest method.
What size should my stocking be?
A typical stocking is 8 to 10 inches tall and holds small gifts, candy, and trinkets. Make it larger if you want to fill it with bigger items, or smaller if you are making stockings for children or pets. The size does not affect the sewing method — only the amount of fabric you cut.
Can I add a name to the stocking after I sew it?
Yes. Embroider a name by hand using a needle and embroidery thread, use fabric paint and a brush or stencil, or iron on a fabric patch with a name printed on it. All three methods work on a finished stocking. Let paint or glue dry completely before using the stocking.