CHRISTMAS IN JULY~ POINSETTIA STOCKING TUTORIAL

Now is the time to begin working on all those handcrafted CHRISTMAS items that will become treasured heirlooms!

Each December, I vow to make new Christmas stockings... next year! There are so many festive projects and pretty things to make for the Yuletide season that don't get done, because I start too late! 

After Thanksgiving, I am far too busy just trying to Deck The Halls, Bring Peace On Earth to my corner of the planet and make the Figgy Pudding!  So, those pretty extras wait till the next year... and the next year... and the next year!

But, right now I am making a short list of a few handicrafts I would like to have for THIS Christmas... and I am getting them done... thanks to... 

CHRISTMAS IN JULY...

New Christmas stocking are at the top of my CHRISTMAS TO-DO RIGHT NOW list!

I thought white poinsettias would be the perfect way to embellish Holiday stockings...

White poinsettias... and tiny pearl and sparkles...

These snowy and showy Christmas stockings are very easy to make... really! Here is a step-by-step, hold-you-hand, very detailed tutorial!

WHITE POINSETTIA STOCKING TUTORIAL
You will need...
1/2~ 2/3 total yards felt (from a fabric bolt)
 I used...
~white felt for the poinsettia
~ light cream felt for the pointettia
~ a different white felt for the stocking

Assorted Beads
I used...
~ pearls, 2 sizes
~crystals, 3 sizes
~tiny silver beads

hot glue gun
fabric glue

Amy Butler felt stocking template

I scoured  the Internet for the best stocking template I could find. Amy Butler's felt stocking template had the nicest shape and was very easy to put together. Her stocking is adorable too and would be fun to make!

MAKING THE STOCKING

1. Copy and assemble stocking template. This will be your stocking pattern

2. Pin a double thickness of the white felt to the pattern

3. Cut along the dark outside line

4. Sew stocking front and backs together, leaving the top open. I used a 1/3 inch seam allowance. You could use more, probably 1/2 inch. If you do not want to sew the stocking with a machine you could blanket stitch it closed. I think that would give the stocking such a charming detailed look!

5. Fold the top edge of the stocking down 2 1/2 inches

6. Set your stocking aside. It it ready to be embellished

Now Let's Make Those Pretty Poinsettias!

A big thank you and shout-out to TIDY MOM! I adapted her great tutorial for felt poinsettias... I could not do it better!

For Each Poinsettia You Will Need...

12 ~ large leaves

12~ medium leaves 

and 

6~ small leaves

1 ~ 3 inch felt circle

beads

CUTTING OUT THE POINSETTIA LEAVES

7. Large leaves: Measure a length of white felt, 4 x 6. Fold the felt so that it measures 2 x 6. Using a ruler, make a snip at every inch mark with your scissors. Cut each snip all the way through the felt and cut that piece of felt in half. You will have twelve 1 x 2 inch pieces.

Using the same process, cut a piece of felt 3 x 6 inches. Fold in half so it measures 1 1/2 x 6 inches. Make snips with your scissors every 3/4 inch. Discard any extra left over felt. Cut each snip all the way through the felt and cut that piece in half. You will have twelve 1 1/2 x 3/4 inch pieces.

Using the same process, cut 1 length of felt 1 x 3 inches. Snip every 1/2 inch. Cut all the way through each snip. You will have six 1 x 1/2 inch pieces.

8. Shape each rectangle into leaves as shown. Use a sharp pair of scissors. The more careful you are the prettier your flower will look. However, it is now rocket science... so don't get too stressed over making them PERFECT, just neat.!

9. Cut a 3 inch circle for each poinsettia. I used a cookie cutter as a guide.

SG TIP: I used white felt and a creamy colored felt to make the poinsettia leaves. I  "felted" (washed in warm water and dried in the dryer) the creamy felt to give the poinsettia depth and dimension.

POINSETTIA ASSEMBLY

10. Glue 6 large leaves to the circle of felt

11~ 12. Glue the last 6 large leaves to the poinsettia, spacing them between the original leaves

13~ 14. Glue 6 medium leave on top of the large leaves, spacing them between the top large leaves. Repeat with the final layer of medium leaves.

15. Glue the last 6 small leaves on top of the medium leaves. I used the eraser end of a pencil to gently push the final leaves down into the the center of the poinsettia. This also made them stand up a little.

EMBELLISHING THE POINSETTIA CENTER


16. Add a dab of hot glue to the center of the poinsettia and fill in with beads. I used pearls, crystals and small silver beads.

17. Using hot glue fix the poinsettias around the cuff of the stocking. My stocking took 7 poinsettias.  

18. Make a loop from white felt and hand stitch it into the stocking as a hanger.

19. With fabric glue, secure assorted beads in a random pattern to the stocking.  

20. Arrange the beads heavy towards the top of the stocking and gradually use less and less as you work your way down the stocking. 

20. Secure anything that is loose, remove all glue spiders, and add any beads to areas that need them.

Your stocking is ready and waiting for it to be filled with small gift boxes and delightful goodies!

MERRY CHRISTMAS... IN JULY!

If making a Christmas stocking is just too much for you in the heat of summer...

Make a...

POINSETTIA PIN

Add a pin back to the poinsettia and tuck it into a little nest...
you'll have a sweet gift for someone special!

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