Free Stitching Patterns for Personalized Christmas Stockings

Personalize your Christmas this year. Custom made decorations are always a big hit with people provided the decoration is well made. If your talents include using a sewing machine then your option for making Christmas decorations are almost endless. If you happen to own one of the many sewing machines that also are capable of embroidery then you have the option of personalizing your decoration as well as sewing them. Other than decorations that go on the tree the next best decoration to personalize is the Christmas stocking.

When designing the Christmas stocking for someone special consider the hobbies, likes and personality of the recipient. For example if the person loves cowboys, horses and rodeos, don't just put pictures, outlines or appliqués of horses, cowboy hats and ropes on a regular shaped stocking but make a stocking shaped like a cowboy boot. You can also make a stocking shaped like a dog bone for the dog lover or the dog in your life. Don't forget to plan to add the name of the recipient of the stocking on the stocking it's self for that added touch of personalization.

Finding a shape to use for your cutout template is easier than you think. The best source for the standard stocking would be to use an existing Christmas stocking. Just trace around the stocking allowing at least a 1" seam. For the more unique shapes just draw it free hand it on a paper grocery bag, cut out the shape and you now have a pattern to use. Keep in mind you will need to cut 2 pieces of the same shape. If you are using fabric that a front side and back side keep that in mind when cutting out your pattern.

For choices of fabric I like to use fabrics that don't have to have their seams bound. I like felt, fleece and other non-woven types of fabric. If you do choose felt as the fabric to work with, pick out a thicker felt than the regular felt craft squares. The thicker fabric will allow for more abuse from larger gifts without the seams coming apart.

The most important parts of the Christmas stocking construction is the seams holding the stocking together and the attachment of the loop that the stocking is hung by. Failure to make those parts of the stocking high quality will result in a disaster on Christmas morning.

For those of you that have the embroidery option on their machines I have a brief list of internet locations to find free machine embroidery patterns. There is an abundance of free Christmas patterns at these sites as well. They also have instructions on how to make many Christmas decorations. Some require that you register with them, others do not. Registration is free.

List of machine embroidery sites:
www.emblibrary.com
www.embroiderydesigns.com
www.abc-embroidery-designs.com