Yesterday – my last day off before Christmas – I had fully intended to get into the festive spirit by (finally) 
putting up our tree, and wrapping presents. I failed. Why did I fail? Because instead I was inspired by a project I saw recently by friend & blanket stitcher extraordinaire, Britta Jarvis: mini stockings (shown right). Suddenly I decided that that was what I really needed to do, in order to start feeling Christmassy. (I think it was the thought of the stocking fillers I have for my parents & sister, combined with the realisation that stocking fillers without a stocking aren’t even really fillers…!)
Britta’s stockings were made of felt & – as implied earlier – beautifully blanket stitched around the edges. But as this was a completely off-the-cuff decision on my part (definitely no time for shopping!), of necessity my stockings were made from whatever materials I already had to hand. Luckily, although under normal circumstances I will tell anyone who will listen that I cannot sew & have a hate-hate relationship with my sewing machine, I am powerless to resist pretty fabrics & hoard them, anyway.. Thus, no festive colours whatsoever, but I think I like them all the more for that! And although I did begin by attempting a blanket stitch edging on Stocking #1, I very quickly unpicked after realising my non-proficiency in terms of seamstressing meant that I would do far better to work concealed seams, instead…
Stocking #1 has both sides cut from a tea towel, with no attempt made on my part to align the pattern in any way – as clearly seen! I drew a rough stocking shape freehand onto the reverse of the fabric, then flipped it over & drew around it for a matching reverse side. I might have done better to do a quick google search for a stocking pattern to trace (the ‘neck’ of this first one came out a little narrow), but I just wanted to get on with the project, so I decided not to worry about it. The open end of the stocking, I hemmed the edges using a very primitive running stitch – yes, it could have been neater, but it was good enough for me. 
Stocking #2 is made from a thinner fabric, so to avoid flimsiness, I opted for a sturdy craft felt for the reverse side. Brown would probably have been better, but orange was the best match available from my stash. I tried to make the neck slightly wider this time, and the body slightly fuller (must remember actual gifts need to fit inside!) .
I think Stocking #3 shows positive results from my little learning curve, with proportions far more convincingly stocking-y. The body is less rounded, yet has far smoother curves at toe and heel – guess that’s what happens with practise! Each of the stockings is approx. 7″ tall, but the widest point of Stocking #1 is 5″ across, compared with 6″ across Stocking #3 – it’s amazing how much difference such a small measurement can make to the overall look. I must confess, I’m kind of in love with Stocking #3, which is why I was motivated to actually take pictures before we parted company…
As a finishing touch, I used an off-cut from each piece of fabric used to make a matching badge, which I then pinned to the heel of Stockings #2 & #3 (& the toe of Stocking #1) to brighten up the plain reverse side. The badges are removable, but I think they look kinda cool. 
Given that every year I fully intend to make my own Christmas cards but never actually manage it, I’m very proud of myself for actually managing to do something handmade this year! It only took a couple of hours to complete all 3 stockings, and that was including any minor mishaps needing to be recovered along the way. I’m sure anyone more proficient with a needle (or sewing machine) could whip these up far more quickly than I, but the experience has nonetheless left me feeling quite positive (& indeed slightly inspired) about future handmade projects. Felt plus fabric is definitely a successful combination.
Hmm, suddenly I am feeling the need to collect felt in a wide array of colours…
No hang on, I do still need to put up that tree & wrap presents…!
I know I’ve been quiet around here of late, but that’s because I’ve been working on lots of new things. I’m just in the processes of putting the final touches to the next full-size issue of Enchanted Times (#4!), which will be going to print next week. It features a brand new and original illustration by Holly Mitchell, plus a story by guest writer Anne E. Johnson, alongside more stories from me (this time based on the Emperor’s New Clothes, the Nightingale, and Rumpelstiltskin), a cross stitch pattern, a weaving tutorial from one of the ET sponsors, WeaveWorld, The Mirror book reviews, and for the first time, a puzzle page! I’ve enjoyed putting wordsearches together since I was at school, but who new it was so hard work to create a crossword grid?! To be fair, I made it harder for myself as I only had a set amount of space left for it to fill, but wow, yeah – that took me a lot longer than I anticipated! 
Anyway, I have added a pre-order option for Enchanted Times #4 in both Etsy and Folksy, to guarantee your copy as soon as it arrives back to me from the printers. The first 5 pre-orders will also receive a set of mini correspondence cards, featuring ads from various ET sponsors. And don’t forget, TangleClub members can also claim 10% discount simply by entering the coupon code (on your membership card) when checking out via Etsy. 
