Make your own Christmas stockings this year with my free Christmas stocking pattern! This beginner-friendly sewing tutorial includes printable pattern pieces, step-by-step instructions, optional quilting, and a classic cuff that creates a timeless heirloom stocking you'll use for years to come.
You might also like our easy sock gnomes, bottle brush Christmas wreath, or simmer pot potpourri!
Handmade Christmas stockings are one of my favorite holiday traditions. I made this matching set several years ago, and they're still one of my favorite decorations to unpack each Christmas. My hope is to eventually make stockings for my children's families too—it's such a practical gift that becomes part of a family's holiday memories.
Why You'll Love This Christmas Stocking Pattern
- Free printable pattern. Simply print the pattern on five sheets of paper, tape them together, and start sewing.
- Beginner friendly. Even if you're new to sewing, this project comes together with basic sewing techniques and clear step-by-step instructions.
- Optional quilting. Add batting and simple straight-line quilting for extra texture, or skip it for a lighter stocking.
- Easy to customize. Personalize each stocking with embroidery, trim, pom-poms, lace, or your favorite holiday fabrics.
- A keepsake you'll use every Christmas. Handmade stockings become treasured family heirlooms to enjoy year after year.
What Makes This Christmas Stocking Pattern Different?
This stocking has a classic shape that never goes out of style. Unlike many quick stocking tutorials, this version includes a separate cuff, full lining, optional quilting, and a hanging loop for a polished, professionally finished look.
The finished stocking is sturdy enough to hold Christmas morning surprises while still being simple enough for confident beginners to sew in about an hour.
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
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Christmas Stocking Pattern
- What Makes This Christmas Stocking Pattern Different?
- What Others Are Saying
- Tips for Sewing Christmas Stockings
- Supplies
- Finished Stocking Size
- How To Make Cuffed Stockings
- Ways to Personalize Your Christmas Stockings
- Stocking Pattern FAQs
- More Holiday Sewing Projects
- Christmas Stocking Pattern
Tips for Sewing Christmas Stockings
- Choose quilting cotton. Cotton quilting fabric is my favorite because it's easy to sew, quilts beautifully, and comes in endless holiday prints.
- Cut trim slightly longer than needed. It's much easier to trim away extra fabric than to discover your trim is too short.
- Use batting for a quilted look. Batting gives the stocking extra body and creates beautiful texture, but you can skip it if you prefer a lighter stocking.
- Press as you sew. Pressing seams throughout the project helps everything fit together neatly and gives the finished stocking a professional appearance.
- No mantel? No problem. Hang stockings from a quilt ladder instead. We use ours every Christmas, and it's one of my favorite decorating hacks.
Supplies
- Free printable stocking pattern: Prints on five pages that are taped together. The cuff pattern is separate.
- Outer Fabric: About ½ yard of quilting cotton.
- Lining Fabric: About ½ yard.
- Batting: Optional for quilting.
- Cuff Fabric: One 5½" × 19½" rectangle.
- Trim: Bias tape, lace, pom-poms, ribbon, or folded fabric.
- Loop Fabric: One 2" × 6" strip.
- Thread
- Scissors
- Pins or Clips
- Sewing Machine
- Iron
Finished Stocking Size
The finished stocking is generously sized for filling with small gifts, candy, and stocking stuffers while still fitting beautifully on a mantel or stocking ladder.
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: Quilt the outer fabric. Pin batting to the back of the outer fabric pieces and quilt in straight lines across the fabric 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: Sew the outer stocking. 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: Assemble stocking. 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: Make a loop for hanging. Fold the loop in half and pin it inside the stocking on the side seam and line up the raw edges.
Step 6: Sew trim to the cuff. 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: Finish trim. 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: Sew cuff. 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: Embroider names. 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: Top stitch. 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: Finish the stocking. Pull the cuff out of the stocking and fold over the stocking.
Ways to Personalize Your Christmas Stockings
- One of my favorite things about sewing stockings is how easy they are to customize. Here are a few ideas:
- Hand embroider family names.
- Add pom-pom trim.
- Use velvet, flannel, or linen instead of quilting cotton.
- Add ric-rac or lace.
- Quilt diagonal lines instead of straight lines.
- Sew patchwork fabric together before cutting the pattern.
- Add decorative embroidery.
- Use coordinating fabrics for every member of the family.
Stocking Pattern FAQs
No. Simply print the free pattern included with this tutorial, tape the pages together, and cut out the pieces.
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.
Yes. This is one of my favorite beginner sewing projects because it uses basic sewing techniques while producing a beautiful finished stocking.
Absolutely. The batting and quilting are completely optional.
Yes! Embroider names, add trim, or choose different fabrics to make each stocking unique.
Most sewists can complete one stocking in approximately one hour, depending on whether they choose to quilt the fabric or add embellishments.
More Holiday Sewing Projects
Love holiday sewing projects? Browse my collection of Christmas sewing tutorials featuring handmade gifts, home décor, and festive projects for every skill level.
MADE THIS CRAFT AND LOVED IT? 💛 Please leave a STAR rating and COMMENT below! Post it to Facebook or Pinterest to easily share with friends!
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!