Make your own stockings this year with this free Christmas stocking pattern. With a beautiful cuff and optional quilting, it's a timeless stocking!
You might also like our easy sock gnomes, bottle brush Christmas wreath, or simmer pot potpourri!
Christmas stockings are fairly simple to make and are fun to customize for your family. I made this set four years ago, and it's my favorite holiday decor to pull out every year. I plan on making these for my children's families when they are all grown up. A practical and thoughtful gift!
Why I Like This Project
- Optional quilting. As you can see, I quilted my stockings. This is super simple to do, but it is entirely optional. If you'd prefer to not machine quilt your stockings, you can omit the batting.
- Easy to customize. Embroider names, add trimming, and switch out the fabrics for a custom look. I hand-embroidered the names on mine, and it was easy to do while watching TV in the evenings.
- Simple sewing. These stockings are not hard to make and make a great beginner sewing project. I walk you step by step through each part, ensuring that you end up with a beautiful stocking that will last for years.
What Others Are Saying
Thank you Brandy I made 3 stockings based on your brilliant tutorial. Have a wonderful Christmas. ---Elyse
Love this pattern so much! I'm new to sewing and this beautiful, simple pattern seems like a great beginners craft. ---Kyrie
I am a novice when it comes to sewing but this pattern and your detailed instructions were super easy to follow! This is the first time I’ve made anything like this and the first time I’ve ever embroidered but I wanted to make a Christmas stocking for my son’s first Christmas that he can cherish forever. My mother made me a personalized stocking when I was little and I really wanted to carry on the tradition. Thank you! I’m so happy with how this turned out.---Morgan
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Tips and Tricks
- Fabric choices. Cotton quilting fabric is my favorite to work with for stockings. It's easy to quilt, easy to cut out, and washes up beautifully. You can also use flannel or lightweight denim.
- Cut the trim longer than you need. I always cut the trim a few inches longer than what is actually needed to leave a little wiggle room, then trim to size after I sew it on.
- Hack for homes without a mantel. If you don't have a mantel to hang them on, you can use a quilt ladder! Here is our $15 stocking ladder tutorial. Perfect for blankets OR stockings!
- Pattern details. This is a beginner sewing pattern. Each stocking will take about an hour to make. Use a ⅜" seam allowance unless otherwise directed.
Supplies
- Stocking pattern: download my free pattern here. It prints on 5 pages and all you have to do is cut and tape the pieces together. The cuff piece is separate.
- ½ yard fabric for stocking
- ½ yard fabric for lining
- ½ yard batting (I like this kind)
- 1 (5.5″ x 19.5″) piece of fabric for cuff
- 1 (19.5") piece of trim (bias tape, fabric, lace, etc.) My trim was 2.5"x19.5".
- 1 (2″ x 6″) piece of fabric for loop (stocking hanger)
- thread
- scissors
- pins
- sewing machine
- iron
How To Make Cuffed Stockings
Step 1: Print out the pattern and tape it together.
You'll need 2 out of the outer fabric, 2 out of the lining fabric, and 2 pieces of batting. You will also need a cuff piece, trim (optional), and a loop piece.
Step 2: Pin batting to the back of the outer pieces of fabric and quilt in straight lines across, horizontally. Do this for both outer pieces. For a post with more photos of straight-line quilting for pillows and stockings check out my quilted heart pillow tutorial.
Step 3: Place the outer stocking pieces together with the right sides together. Sew around the edges of the quilted fabric, leaving the top open. Clip the curves close to the hem. Turn right side out. (see photo above)
Place lining pieces together with the right sides of the fabric facing each other. Sew around the edges, leaving the top open. Leave the lining inside out.
Step 4: Place the inner/lining stocking inside the outer stocking, with the wrong sides facing each other and lining up side seams. (see photo above)
Fold the hanging loop (stocking hanger) piece in half (1″ wide) with the wrong side of the fabric facing out. Stitch the side seam. Turn right side out. Iron flat.
Step 5: Fold the loop in half and pin it inside the stocking on the side seam and line up the raw edges.
Step 6: If you'd like to add a trim to the cuff of the stocking, you can do that right now. I used a piece of fabric that I folded in half and pressed. I lined up the raw edges to the bottom edge of the cuff and stitched it together. (see photo above)
Step 7: Then fold it over (to enclose the raw edge — see photo above) and topstitch it into place. You can also add lace, pom pom trim, or any other trimming to the edge!
If you don't want to add trim, just fold the bottom edge over ¼", press with an iron, then fold over once more and stitch in place to create a hem.
Step 8: Fold the cuff in half with the wrong side of the fabric facing out (see photo above). Stitch the side seam. Turn right side out.
Step 9: If you'd like to add names to your stockings do this now, then proceed to tuck the cuff inside the stocking using the directions below. I used a photo of Christmas stockings that I found on Etsy as inspiration then freehanded the lettering using a pencil before stitching with embroidery thread.
Step 10: Tuck the cuff inside the stocking with the right side of the fabric facing the lining fabric. The top of the cuff lining up with the raw edge of the stocking, and the side seam lining up with one of the stocking side seams. The loop (stocking hanger) will be between the lining fabric and the cuff. Pin in place.
Stitch around the entire top edge. Stitch over the stocking loop a few times, going forward and in reverse, to reinforce the seam.
Step 11: Pull the cuff out of the stocking and fold over the stocking.
Stocking Pattern FAQs
My pattern is completely free. Simply print and tape the stocking pattern together!
Cotton quilting fabric is my favorite to work with for stockings. It's easy to quilt, easy to cut out, and washes up beautifully. You can also use flannel or lightweight denim.
These stockings wash beautifully since they are made from cotton. You can wash the fabric before sewing if you'd like, but you don't have to. The quilting gets more defined and crinkly if you don't wash the fabric before sewing.
More Holiday Sewing Projects
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Christmas Stocking Pattern
Equipment
- sewing machine
- iron and ironing board
Materials
- ½ yard fabric for stocking
- ½ yard fabric for lining
- ½ yard batting
- 1 5.5"x19.5" piece of fabric for cuff
- 1 19.5" piece of trim (bias tape, fabric, lace, etc.) My trim was 2.5"x19.5"
- 1 2"x6" piece of fabric for loop (stocking hanger)
- thread
- scissors
- pins
Instructions
- Print out the pattern and tape it together.
- You'll need 2 out of the outer fabric, 2 out of the lining fabric, and 2 pieces of batting. You will also need a cuff piece, trim (optional), and a loop piece.Note: I always cut the trim a few inches longer than what is actually needed to leave a little wiggle room, then trim to size after I sew it on.
- Pin batting to the back of the outer pieces of fabric and quilt in straight lines across, horizontally. Do this for both outer pieces.
- Place outer stocking pieces together with the right sides together. Sew around the edges of the quilted fabric, leaving the top open. Clip the curves close to the hem. Turn right side out. (see photo above)
- Place lining pieces together with the right sides of the fabric facing each other. Sew around the edges, leaving the top open. Leave the lining inside out.
- Place the inner/lining stocking inside the outer stocking, with the wrong sides facing each other and lining up the side seams.
- Fold the hanging loop (stocking hanger) piece in half (1″ wide) with the wrong side of the fabric facing out. Stitch the side seam. Turn right side out. Iron flat.
- Fold the loop in half and pin it inside the stocking on the side seam and line up the raw edges.
- If you'd like to add a trim to the cuff of the stocking, you can do that right now. I used a piece of fabric that I folded in half and pressed. I lined up the raw edges to the bottom edge of the cuff and stitched it together.
- Then I folded it over (to enclose the raw edge--see photo above) and topstitched it into place. You can also add lace, pom pom trim, or any other trimming to the edge!If you don't want to add trim, just fold the bottom edge over ¼", press with an iron, then fold over once more and stitch in place to create a hem.
- Fold the cuff in half with the wrong side of the fabric facing out (see photo above). Stitch the side seam. Turn right side out.
- If you'd like to add names to your stockings, do this now, then proceed to tuck the cuff inside the stocking using the directions below. I used a photo of Christmas stockings that I found on Etsy as inspiration, then freehanded the lettering using a pencil before stitching with embroidery thread.
- Tuck the cuff inside the stocking with the right side of the fabric facing the lining fabric. The top of the cuff lining up with the raw edge of the stocking, and the side seam lining up with one of the stocking side seams. The loop (stocking hanger) will be between the lining fabric and the cuff. Pin in place.Stitch around the entire top edge. Stitch over the stocking loop a few times, going forward and in reverse, to reinforce the seam.
- Pull the cuff out of the stocking and fold it over.
Wanda says
These are ADORABLE!!! How did you put the names on the stocking?
Brandy says
Thank you!! I penciled the names on then embroidered over it by hand. 🙂
ARNETTE WARREN says
Hi, Love the pattern. Can you tell me the finished size of these stockings? Thanks.
Brandy says
Hi Annette! Mine are packed away in the attic---where only my husband can climb and access the heavy totes, ha! They are a standard size though. I used a pre-existing stocking to create the pattern size!
Lisa says
Hello,
Thank you so much for the beautiful pattern. Few questions please. What do the dotted lines represent? What does (1”) mean? Just don’t want to make any mistakes!
Thanks so much,
Lisa
Brandy says
Hi Lisa! When you tape the stocking together you'll place the pieces over the dotted lines to match things up. The 1" square is just for printing to make sure it prints to scale. If you print out the pattern and that box doesn't measure 1" wide, then you'll need to check your printer settings to make sure it's 100%. Have fun!
Sarah says
Thank-you for sharing your Christmas stocking pattern and directions. I just finished making one for my two year old daughter. Your pattern and guide were a pleasure to work with. Now on to making five more, three for my other children and one each for my husband and I. I had to laugh when you described in your other blog post of having started your stocking project on Dec. 8th. For me, the time crunch is what makes me actually get the projects done :). Merry Christmas!
Brandy says
Haha! It’s so true. If I started making stockings in February I’d probably forget all about them. Working on them December was an easy way to light a fire under me! Glad the tutorial worked out for you! Merry Christmas!
Kimberly Raines says
It won't allow the pattern link to be downloaded for printing.
Brandy says
Hi Kimberly! You should be able to click on it then click on the print icon. It looks like it's working for me. If you try again and it doesn't work I'll download it and e-mail it to you using the email in your profile here. Just let me know, thanks!
Francine says
I am SO happy to have found your tutorial! I plan on making at least 4 for my kids. I will be "making" my own fabric using a crazy quilting technique. Having the dimensions of the cuff and the free pattern is HUGE. So thank you!
Brandy says
That is awesome! Making your own fabric, too! I'm intrigued!
L says
Looking forwards to making these stockings for the family this year. I plan on buyingfabric of each persons favorite Christmas character/movie. Any last minute advice before i start
Brandy says
How fun! I don't have any advice except to have fun! What a treasure these will be!
Pam Cox says
I can not figure out how the stocking pieces, which one with each piece.
cindi fairchild says
This is the issue I am having. Did you ever find out which pattern pieces go to another? I've placed them back and forth the really don't get it. I would love to make these for my family.
Brandy says
A goes to B and C goes to D.
AB are on top and CD are on the bottom. Tape them together. The cuff piece is separate. Hope that helps!
Dawn says
Such a simple and sweet sewing Christmas craft!! I'm a new sewer myself but this stocking...just inspiring and stunning!! I've chosen your post as my feature this week over at the Friday Favorites Linky Party - it will also be pinned to our feature board! Swing by and link up again! 🙂
Debi Thurow says
Thanks for sharing at our Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop. I featured you this week on my round up!
diyadulation says
This is fantastic! Such a gorgeous project that's easy to make. (And those lines truly are super crisp! That's awesome!) Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday this week!
Julie says
Love this so much!
Heather from Centsiblechateau.com says
Saw these on the nap time creations Linky Party and they are AWESOME! I wish I could sew, i'm going to be my mom to make them! lol I'm going to share them on my FB!
Liz says
I'm loving your pattern and I'm about to make it but we live in a country where batting doesn't exist 😡. Do you think it would turn out if I made it without batting.
Brandy says
Hi Liz! You can make it without batting or even quilting it, it will just be a little thinner. You can also use felt instead of batting if you have access to that. 🙂
Theresa says
Beautiful project. Love the soft color
Brandy says
Thank you Theresa! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Brandy says
I don't have any more photos, but I did go back and clarify it as much as possible! Hope that helps!