Funkify your Christmas stockings

Elf stockings
Elf stockings
Why go traditional with your Christmas decor? Have a little fun with your mantel in two ways: A funny, elf-shoe shape and bold, funky fabric. I’ve chosen some fun red, chartreuse and white fabrics in bold patterns and found the perfect tutorial to guide you through this easy project.

Supplies

(Click fabrics for direct links for purchase at Warehouse Fabrics Inc.)

canopy lipstick/chartreuse: CAYLIP
Canopy lipstick/ chartreuse: CAYLIP

Little Tiger chartreuse: LIRCHE
Little Tiger chartreuse: LIRCHE

Annie lipstick/chartreuse: ANELIE
Annie lipstick/chartreuse: ANELIE

Trey lipstick/chartreuse: TRYLIE
Trey lipstick/chartreuse: TRYLIE

Topeka lipstick: TOALIK
Topeka lipstick: TOALIK

Topeka chartreuse: TOACHT
Topeka chartreuse: TOACHT

1941 pop-pom fringe red: 1941BALLRED
1941 pop-pom fringe red: 1941BALLRED

1941 pom-pom fringe white: 1941BALLWHT
1941 pom-pom fringe white: 1941BALLWHT
I found this project on Sew4Home.com at this link. It’s a very well-done tutorial that’s very easy to follow.  You download pdf files and print them for your pattern pieces and follow the instructions provided.

You’ll find everything you need to know at that site.

A word on applique

Sewing on the applique letter
Sewing on the applique letter
I’m not a particularly experienced appliquer; I’ve only done a couple of them in my sewing career. Actually, in the end, this “M” came out a bit crooked. But here are some tips:

1. Use a satin stitch or applique foot — something that’s clear for better visuals.

2. Use a thread that matches your applique item.

3. Set your machine to a narrow and fairly short zigzag stitch. Practice first on a scrap of cloth until you get the stitch you want.

Applique initial
Applique initial
4. Set your needle so that it hits in the applique on the “zig” and right outside of it on the “zag.” The needle should hit off of the applique, but just by a hair.

5. You’ll need to stop and pivot frequently as you approach curves. Go slowly, and always pivot with the needle in the “zag” location, or off the applique.

6. I usually stick a few pins in to hold the item in place while I get it started. On the “M” above, I only used one pin, and the second leg of my “M” was a big out of line. I thought it was no biggie, but my husband, whom the “M” belongs to, commented on it. So maybe I’d recommend a few pins.

More views

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Three cutesy-poo stockings
Three cutesy-poo stockings

"R" is for Robyn
"R" is for Robyn

Fun fabrics -- go wild!
Fun fabrics -- go wild!
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