Thursday, December 11, 2008

Don't Forget to Hang Up Your Sock

When I was a young lass, every Christmas like clockwork my stocking was filled with Crayola markers, tons of Wrigley gum 5-packs, Twizzlers, barrettes, candy canes, a small Lego set, Hershey Kisses, and an orange. My sister and I would always creep downstairs before anyone else in the house was awake, and we'd unload our younger brothers' stockings so that we'd be one up on them and already know what they'd gotten before they joined us. While the "real" Christmas presents were often bigger and better than the stocking contents, there was something special about what came in your stocking. Chewing Twizzlers and gum simultaneously while opening gifts and knowing every year I'd have some new markers to work with are traditions I'll always cherish.

Making a Christmas stocking has been on my sewing list for possibly 3 years, give or take. I never seemed to find fabric that I could fall in love with or a pattern that was just right. At last, this summer I found some decorator fabric that put me in mind of a classy Christmas of old. (I'm pretty temperamental when it comes to Christmas fabric in general.) There are various and sundry stocking patterns available for free online, so I combined what I liked from several and came up with an original.

I'm a fan. I'm hoping that they'll last for a while, but I'm sure I'll have to go in and reinforce the loop that they hang from...I went a little rogue on that part. Maybe Saint Nick will bring me some Twizzlers again this Christmas!

18 comments:

Amy and Andrew said...

You're right. There's something fun about those little things that come in a stocking, even if you already know what they will be. Your stockings look great! The stockings my brother and I grew up with are still at my parents house, and let me tell you, they are a sight to behold. I think my grandmother made them... need to check on that. Picture bright colors and sequins.

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to open stockings with you this year! I'll be watching for any early peeking. :)

Janine

Anonymous said...

OMG! Sooo pretty!

Liz said...

These are very nice! We always had more 'designer' stocking growing up too. My mom would change them around every couple of years but they were always really pretty. The stocking gifts are my favorite too. Coffee cards, rolls of quarters, socks, a candy cane filled with kisses... My parents thought about not doing them one year recently and my brother and I almost had a fit!

Dana said...

Soooo pretty!!

Anonymous said...

We always used tube socks. I like your creations better.

Barb H

affectioknit2 said...

They look lovely!

Anonymous said...

I'm not so sure about twizzlers and gum together :), but stockings were always the best! It was just me, but I was always allowed to run downstairs, dump mine out on the ground and open everything before my parents got up.

Like you said, the bigger gifts were often more exiting, but the stocking was what I looking forward to the most. There's just something about a giant sock overflowing with stuff for you.

Dave B. said...

Twizzlers are gross. You need to go with Red Vines...much better. I'm just saying.

Anonymous said...

I love Christmas stockings, and yours in particular. And I like Twizzlers too!

Sarah said...

I've never been a Red Vine lover, but plastic-y Twizzlers always do it for me!

Lindahl News 2 said...

You have such an eye for great fabrics!! Love these stockings.

Hope you get everything you desire inside those stockings. You didn't even mention chocalate!

Lindahl News 2 said...

Spell much? I meant chocolate!!!!

Anonymous said...

Love the fabric! So pretty.

Anonymous said...

they look great sarah. nice fabric choice.

Jennifer said...

stockings have always been my favorite part! they are the best and most exciting part of christmas day.

i have a very special stocking that was knitted for me when i was born. i was the last grandchild to get one... but i love it.

amylouwhosews said...

Oh! I love them! I've not made ours yet either because I can't find a pattern I like. And most Christmas fabric I find not exactly what I'm looking for. I love the design of yours - perfect for an orange in the toe and a banana in the heel. That's what our Santa brought. My dad was a dentist. Need I say more?

Karen said...

Wow! Such style! I have to add you to my blog to follow your creations too. I love seeing what you've done. I'm going to look back and see what other goodies you have posted about.