How to make your own DIY Christmas stocking

Stockings are one of the most traditional and heartfelt aspects of Christmas. My fondest memory as a child is leaving my stocking at the end of my bed on Christmas Eve and fighting to stay awake to get a glimpse of Santa Claus himself. My parents would tip-toe into my bedroom and fill it to the brim with presents. I’d awake in glee and rush into their bedroom to open it – recounting the faint sleigh bells I had heard.

Making your own Christmas stocking adds that personal touch and could be the start of a special family Christmas tradition. This step-by-step guide is super easy and you can personalise it however you like. Got a big family? No problem – you can make a whole bunch of them in an afternoon.

Let’s get festive!

Print out your Christmas stocking pattern

To start, you’ll need to print out your pattern or for more experienced sewers, design your own!

Check out this small pattern.

Check out this larger pattern.

Prepare & cut your fabric 

You’ll need two different types of fabric – one for the outside pattern and one for the lining. Plain white fabric or patterned is fine for the lining as you won’t see it too much.

Now, cut two stocking shapes from your two different fabrics. For the small stocking, you’ll need about an 11” x 14” piece of fabric for the front and back of the stocking. And you’ll need another 11” x 14” for the front and back lining pieces. For the larger stocking template, two different fabrics of 1/4 yards will be enough. Next, with the wrong sides together, pin your pattern and cut two stocking shapes out of your outside fabric and your lining fabric.

Pair your fabric and lining fabric together

Pair up one of your outside fabric pieces with one of the pieces of lining fabric, ensuring that the toes are facing the same way. Match the outside fabric and lining fabric from each set, right sides together, and sew a 1/4” seam where the two pieces meet. Then open the pieces up and press the seam open on the front and back.

Afterwards, match the front and back right pieces together with the outside fabric matched up and the lining fabric matched up. Use pins to hold the two sides together while leaving a space in the lining fabric for turning the right side out. Sew along the outside edge of the stocking pieces.

Note: sew a 1/4” seam allowance around the outside fabric (except the space left open for turning). This will remove the bulk of the lining fabric.

Cut notches in the curves of the stocking 

Before you turn everything right-side out, cut notches in the toe of the stocking to give it a nice rounded shape, but be careful not to cut through the seam. Then, on the lining side, clip the fabric close to the seam.

Pull everything right-side out and carefully shape the outside part until the curves look round and press it into shape. Simply tuck the ends into the stocking and topstitch the opening shut. Gently tuck the lining inside the stocking and top stitch around the edge as a finishing touch.

Decorate as you wish 

Fold the cuff down and carefully pat it down to shape your stocking. You can add a decorative trim, a ribbon or sew some bulbuls on for decoration – the options are endless. If you prefer to hang your stocking on the fireplace or a door knob, you can add a hanging loop on your stocking.

Cut a strip of fabric – 1 1/2” x 9” for the larger stocking and 1 1/2” x 6” for the smaller stocking. Fold the strip in half length-wise and press. Open up and fold the two sides into the centre fold and press again. Fold it in half again so you now have four equal widths stacked on top of each other. Top stitch next to the two outside folded edges.

Fold the loop in half and pin it in place around 1” down from the top of the stocking. Unfold the cuff again and take the pinned loop to your sewing machine to stitch back and forth multiple times over the ends of the loop to secure them. Use a thread that matches the outside fabric of the stocking.

And it’s complete! Now you can hang up your stocking for your family and friends to admire. Whether you fill it with presents on Christmas Eve or use it as a gifting bag – it will add a special touch this year. We also love the idea of embroidering a name onto each stocking!

Can’t sew? Check out this no-sew handmade Christmas stocking guide 

You don’t need to know how to sew to make your own stocking! Choosing whatever fabric and colour scheme you want, you can completely personalise your design. For this simple step-by-step guide, we’re making a traditional Christmas stocking with a white fur trim.

Make your template

Firstly, just like the above, you’ll need a template – any image from Google will suffice. Print out your stocking shape and sketch the outline onto a piece of cardboard.

Cut out your stocking shape 

Lay the cardboard on top of your fabric and cut out your stocking shapes – lay one down with the right side of the fabric facing up. Squeeze a little line of fabric glue around the edge of the first stocking shape and then lay the second stocking shape facing down onto the first shape. Press them together and allow the fabric glue to dry completely.

Ensure the glue is dry and turn the stocking right-side out. Squeeze some glue onto the back of the faux fur trim and position it inside the top edge of the stocking and press down to stick. Make a seam at the back and flip over the top of the stocking so the fluffy fur is facing outwards. Then make a loop with some ribbon and flue it inside the top of the stocking to hang it up.

Got a taste for a DIY Christmas?

If you enjoyed making your own Christmas stocking, why not try making your own sustainable DIY Christmas wreath too? Check out our four-step guide and turn your home into a Santa’s grotto.