Christmas Crafts for those who Sew.

By: Thomas Hunter

Jewelry, center pieces, napkin rings, aprons and ornaments are all amongst the many Christmas crafts for those who sew. All things we can usually make with the left-over in our sewing chests. A great way for affordable Christmas gifts, hostess gifts, or treats for your holiday guests. One of the more popular gifts to make is the Christmas stocking. This Christmas craft for those whose sew is a treasured sentiment and a frugal way to get some names checked of your Christmas list. There really is no such thing as a traditional stocking anymore, be creative. Of course if you go the easy glue gun route, be prepared to watch all your hard word fall to pieces by the end of next season. Or, you can get some really easy patterns and a little creativity and you and your loved ones will hang them by the chimney with care for years to come.

The stocking itself is pretty basic. If you have any doubts, here are the simple steps for a Christmas stocking:

First, trace a stocking shape on the fabric. Do not forget do be creative with your fabric choice. You can use patterns, plush, satin, anything that is different. Now, cut out using the right scissors according to your fabric. Next, put the two pieces together inside parts facing out. Now, sew or glue together along the edges except for the top (which is the opening). Once ready, fold about one inch from the opening and sew or glue again. Finally, turn the stocking inside-out. You should have the designed print fabric on the front with the top edges of the opening facing the inside. That's the stocking!

You will find complete directions from pattern to stitch and appliqué techniques on all the favorite homemade websites. This might come in especially handy if you do not have the best of sewing machines at your disposal. You can find the best patterns and stitches for your machine. I like to use the satin stitch and if you have a sewing machine with zigzag capability you can do this. Be sure to pay attention to the size of your stitch compared to the size of the design you are using. If you like to be original, you may find some of these ideas to be a bit too traditional. This is when I find sticking to a small trip to a yardage store, possibly a few dollars at Michaels, and my own treasures will create a designer stocking.

After you choose a nice festive fabric, you will want to choose an additional fabric and patterns for the face of your stocking. You want the pattern for the face to be large enough that you will have plenty of room to accentuate it with all the creativity you can find in your sewing basket. Beads, bobbles and sequins are a wonderful beginning. Do not forget to hit up your jewelry box for mismatched earrings and other treasures. If you really think out of the box you will have elegant original stockings that you might just want to keep in your own living room. For the little ones on your list, bells make a wonderful accent and a child feels like their stocking has that special touch. They can listen through the night for Santa to rustle the bell of their stocking.

After you have made your stockings you can use your patterns for holiday gifts and decorations like table décor, tote bags, and aprons. You’re stocking scraps and pattern pieces can be sewed on to an old table cloth and revive it in to a new treasured tradition. Tote bags and aprons can be purchased for under $5.00. These are a special way to create a personalized holiday gift for the student or teacher in your life. Tote bag and aprons can be a great way to bring sewing to the classroom too! Ask all the children to recycle from their craft and sewing baskets at home. The students can make a special apron for her to wear all year. Her students will be proud to see their work. Christmas crafts for those who sew can be enjoyed during the holidays and all year.


Wake Up Richer Every Morning... Instant Internet Business Makes Money Automatically... Thomas Hunter is an Internet marketer, author and publisher and has helped hundreds of people become successful Niche Marketers. Explore the highly profitable world of Niche Marketing at http://SixFigureNiches.com our popular website.
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