Burlap Stocking Tutorial - Just For You

Saturday, December 4, 2010


As promised by a binding pinky swear, here is a tutorial for my version of a burlap stocking:

Burlap Stocking Tutorial


Make a template for your stocking. I freehanded mine on a piece of Bristol board and it ended up being about 7” (and a bit) wide and 12” (and a bit) long.


Trace 2 outlines of your stocking pattern onto burlap. Cut around your outlines leaving a 3/4 inch seam allowance (that you can trim later).


Trace 2 more outlines of your stocking pattern onto the wrong side of your white fabric. (I used a white, canvas twill for my white fabric.) These two pieces will make your stocking liner and cuff. Make sure that your two sides match when placed together and the wrong sides are both facing out.


Measure and mark an extra 4” to the top of the stocking. (This will fold over to become the cuff later on.) (See previous picture.) Then cut around your outlines leaving a 1/2" seam allowance.


Fold over the top edges your burlap pieces and press. 


 Sew a straight seam across the top of both pieces of burlap.


Pin both pieces of burlap together with the wrong sides facing out. Stitch around the sides and bottom of the stocking using a straight stitch. Make sure to leave the top of the stocking open. Trim off any excess seam allowance. (I left a ½ inch since the burlap frays quite a bit.)


Press the seam allowances open with your iron.


Use scissors to clip tiny notches in the seam allowance all around the rounded part of the stocking so it won’t bunch when you flip it inside out.


Flip the burlap stocking inside out and press with your iron until your stocking lays somewhat flat.


Cut 2 long strips of white fabric, about 2” wide. My strips were 2”x30”.


Fold over one of the long edges of your strip of fabric a ½ an inch and press.


Sew a straight seam (close to the fold) all along the strip of fabric.


Mark a small dash every ½ inch along the sewn seam.


This will help you create evenly spaced, ½ inch pleats.




Starting from the left hand side of your fabric strip, use your pencil marks and begin to fold your fabric behind itself in an S shape.


For each pleat, I used a piece of tape to hold it in place.


I also pressed each pleat with an iron.


Continue to fold, tape, and iron your pleats until you have enough pleats to run along the top edge of your stocking liner.


Tape the other side of your pleats to keep them in place while you sew them.


You will need to make two sets of ruffled pleats, one to sew to each side of the stocking liner (see above picture).


Fold the top edges of your white stocking liners over ½ inch and press.


Pin the good side of the stocking liner directly onto the good side of the ruffled pleats. I pinned them so that 1” of the pleats would be showing. Sew the two pieces of fabric together using a straight stitch. (I forgot a picture of this part. Whoops.)


Once the ruffles have been sewn onto each side of the stocking liner, pin both sides of the liner together with the wrong sides facing outward. Sew them together using a straight stitch. Remember to leave the top of the stocking liner (with the ruffles) open.


Press the seam allowances of your stocking liner open. Then slide the liner into the burlap stocking. You’ll have to wiggle and squish.


Fold over the top 4” of the liner to create a cuff.


Use your original pencil line to help you figure out how much to fold over.


Pin the top of the stocking liner to the burlap stocking making sure it is even all the way around. Make sure that your pins are catching both the liner and the burlap.


Sew the liner to the burlap using a straight stitch all around the top of the stocking. You may have to take off the front piece of your sewing machine to fit the stocking on your machine.


Press everything so it is nice and smooth and flat. Embellish your stocking with flowers, buttons, or tags.


Braid some jute twine, fold it over and knot to create a loop to hang the stocking by. Sew the loop into the stocking by hand or pin to the inside with a safety pin. I chose to pin mine in case I want adjust the length of the loop or in case I decide to hang them over our staircase railing.

Admire your craftiness and try to forget that it took you the whole day to do. :)

Note 1: On my original stocking I made a burlap rosette. I'll do a quick tutorial tomorrow and post it for you if you are interested.

Note 2: If I forgot to explain any steps or if anything is unclear, send me a note and I'll fix it up.

Note 3: If any of this seems @$$-backwards to you, I'm sorry. I am a self-taught sewer and I just kind of made up how to make this. :S

Note 4: If you try one, I'd love to hear how it turns out!

Note 5: To see the first one I made, click here.




Sharing here:

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Everything but the Kitchen Sink @ A Little Knick Knack, Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home, Style Feature Saturday @ Perfectly Imperfect, Saturday Soiree @ A Little Lovely, Check My Out Saturday @ A Vision to Remember, Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table and Dreaming, Make it For Monday @ Cottage Insincts, Crafty Soiree @ Yesterday On Tuesday, DIY Project Parade @ The DIY Show-Off, Craft Catwalk @ Embellishing Life, Christmas Craft Link Party @ Centsational Girl, We Did It Wednesday @ Sew Much Ado, Make It Yours Day @ My Backyard Eden

57 comments:

  1. I love it! The stocking looks amazing!

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  2. What a beautiful project!! They are really lovely! Angie xo

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  3. Thanks so much for the tutorial! It looks great!

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  4. Wow, what a thorough, great tutorial! I LOVE your stocking and your holiday decor with the greenery and white!!
    ~michelle~

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  5. See, that's why I could make six...I don't line mine :) I saved this tutorial in my cottage crushes. Great job. I like the idea of using tape to hold the pleats in place!

    On another note...what kind of camera do you use? You have great, clear, bright pics.....

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  6. So cute! I am going to use the basics of this and add a pretty toile fabric I have to the top! I want to make it for my mom when she's here visiting for Christmas! Thanks for the great tutorial. You make it look so easy :) I am horrible @ sewing LOL

    <3 Brie

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  7. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Please post the rosette ttutorial. I am a fan!! Totally love your style. And I use "cute" way too often also! : )

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  8. Great tutorial!! I am a little afraid of the pleats though! :) Just love those stockings! :)

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  9. Beautiful! I wish I had the time to do those, but there is dust everywhere at my house. I will keep these marked for later. Thanks for sharing. Jackie

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  10. Has a very classic look and that pottery barn feel. Love the stocking.

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  11. This is by far the best tutorial I've seen yet! I'm working up the courage to give it a go. Thanks for sharing!

    Jeanine

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  12. Wow! You say you're new at this??? I beg to differ! It's lovely and the tutorial is GREAT. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Adorable! I was thinking of doing a burlap stocking myself but I love your extra details with the pleating and buttons. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. wow this is amazing-- i'm a self taught sewer too! i'm your newest follower and would love for you to link this up at a crafty soiree-- party i co-host on thursdays
    malia
    www.yesterdayontuesday.com

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  15. Wow! Those are gorgeus but I could never do them,since I don't sew :( By the way, I also made some burlap stockings but the no-sew kind hee hee and not nearly as pretty as yours.
    Great job :)

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  16. Those pretty pleats and buttons just make this project completely unique and elegant!
    Brenda

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  17. Nothing A$$-backwards about it...very clear instructions and beautifully photographed. I'm self taught also and this was crystal clear. I was already thinking of making some burlap ones this year and you've saved me all that head scratching trying to figure it out.
    Thank you for sharing. It is a gorgeous stocking.

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  18. So, I bought the burlap today for my stockings! I also got more pretty toile for mom's stocking, and a pretty blue ticking for dad's. I tea stained it a bit so it matches the burlap better (oyster color). Plus, I like the antiqued/prim look for it. I am going to hand sew these! *Gulp* I don't have a machine - yet... :( Wish me luck LOL

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  19. Thank you, THANK YOU!!! You don't even know how much time {and thinking...heaven-forbid!} this will save me when making my 3! I was sort of dreading doing it since I am very self-taught and usually end up winging everything to do with sewing. I'm thinking about doing a ruffle instead of a pleat, and I am using some white IKEA {Lenta?} drapes for my liner. Will let you know how it turns out!

    Thanks again for posting!!

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  20. Oooh, Sarah, what a great tutorial. Thank you. It's very clear. I'm feeling I want to add these to everything now!!

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  21. How weird, I was certain I followef you last time. I certainly left lots of fan mail, didn't I!? But it wasn't showing up so I've done it again and now I DEINITELY am!!

    Sarahx

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  22. Fantastic tutorial! And if I actually knew how to sew, I'd be jumping right in and making one myself. Your stocking looks great!

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  23. Such a beautiful stocking! Thanks so much for the tutorial, I just tried my own but didn't turn out quite the way I wanted, I will try again though :)

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  24. I love those pleats...and am going to use your method to add a pleated ruffle to 2 sets of embroidered pillow cases I am finishing up. One of the sets has a monogram in ecru and I think those tidy pleats will add that special something to the pillow case without making it too frilly. Thanks for the tip.
    K

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  25. THis is fabulous and so gorgeous! I think I'll give this a try tomorrow, I'll let you know how it goes!
    Thanks so much!
    Kristin

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  26. Here are mine!! I didn't use your pattern, but traced one I already had. I also didn't do pleats :) I like how they turned out and luckily my thread matches great so you can't see my drunk stitching LOL Oh, a friend let me borrow her machine!!

    http://flic.kr/p/8ZiFeF

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  27. Great job! Do you by any chance sell them on Etsy? I don't have the patients or skill to make them but I do like them!

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  28. I love this stocking! I am definitely going to have to make some of these! Thank you so much for posting!

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  29. I love your tutorial, you've done a great job! I am making some burlap stockings and was looking for some examples/ideas when I found yours!

    Thanks!

    Tania

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  30. So cute! Love the rustic feel it has. I love this style. So glad I found you from Michelle's blog (: New follower (:

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  31. Hi! I featured your project today! Hope you can stop by and grab a button! Have a great New Year!
    alittleknickknack.blogspot.com

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  32. So cute! Love the rustic feel it has. I love this style. So glad I found you from Michelle's blog (: New follower (:

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  33. Adorable! I was thinking of doing a burlap stocking myself but I love your extra details with the pleating and buttons. Thanks for sharing.

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  34. Beautiful! I wish I had the time to do those, but there is dust everywhere at my house. I will keep these marked for later. Thanks for sharing. Jackie

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  35. Nothing A$$-backwards about it...very clear instructions and beautifully photographed. I'm self taught also and this was crystal clear. I was already thinking of making some burlap ones this year and you've saved me all that head scratching trying to figure it out.
    Thank you for sharing. It is a gorgeous stocking.

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  36. Wow! Those are gorgeus but I could never do them,since I don't sew :( By the way, I also made some burlap stockings but the no-sew kind hee hee and not nearly as pretty as yours.
    Great job :)

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  37. Love your tutorial! I've been looking for one!

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  38. approximately, how much fabric did you use for the entire stocking? you didn't mention how much fabric you needed for each piece. I really want to make these, so I would love to know..thanks! fabulous job!

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  39. Yes! Please answer Caludia's question, I want to make these but am uncertain about how much fabric I need to make four. So excited to make mine hopefully quickly so I can enjoy them this Christmas =)

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  40. THANK YOU!!! I'm learning to sew and thanks to you I just made 7 of these and I am so proud!! :)

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  41. I am new to sewing also. My mom didn't have the patience to teach me. These stockings are the first thing that I have made that I have been truly proud of. I love them. Thank you!

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  42. Where did i get the
    Burlap

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    1. I got the burlap at my local Fabricland. :)

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  43. When you say "tape" can you tell me what kind you mean? This will be my first time making pleats and I want it to be as easy as possible! Can't wait to make these! So cute!

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    1. I just grabbed a roll of clear Scotch tape and used it as I went along. It was really easy to peel off once I was done. :) Hope that helps and good luck with your sewing project!!

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  44. This ist a very nice Stocking, thank you for the instruction.

    with lovely wishes from Irmi

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  45. I just found your blog by googling diy burlap stocking! I'm not only in love with your stocking but your whole blog!!! ;)

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  46. Hi love the stocking and have a few questions before I attempt mine! Do you use a special type of thread for the heavier fabric? Also, what is the yardage for one stocking? I hope to finish 5 before Christmas!! YIKES!

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    1. Hey there! Please forgive my vague response, however I made these stockings three years ago and so the details are a bit fuzzy. :)

      I don't sew very often and don't have any fancy equipment or gear. I used the regular needle that came on my sewing machine as well as regular thread.

      I'm in Canada and so purchased the burlap in meters. If I remember correctly I bought two meters of fabric, one for each stocking just in case I made a mistake (which I did)! Two meters of fabric for the two stockings was more than enough because I remember having leftovers for other projects.

      Sorry I couldn't be more specific but that is all I can remember! Also, I think your yardage will depend on the size you make your stockings. Just make sure to leave a lot of seam allowance since the fabric comes apart easily on the unfinished edges.

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  47. love this. thanks for sharing, i am going to try to make two for us.--Char

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  48. Great tutorial. Thanks.

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  49. Would love t not only use this for burlap stockings but little fun burlap bag crafts for kids. Thanks!

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  50. Thank you so much for this detailed post! I am going to try this idea and post how it goes on my blog. Thanks again, Rebekah

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  51. This is a very cute tutorial, and one that I feel like I can follow without all the scary sewing terms...can you tell I'm new??? I wanted to know about the pleats, I realize that my measurements will be different compared to yours. If I have a longer pleat do I just cut off the excess? Will it work like that?

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