One of my favorite books as a child was a Little Golden Book version of the classic story, The Elves and the Shoemaker. I forced my mother to read it over and over until the binding split. What I loved the most, and wanted for my very own, were the curly-toed boots the little elves wore. These stockings are modeled after those very same elf boots. And they are just as cute as I remember.

This project is a bit advanced, but you don't have to be a shoemaker to make it happen. Read through the instructions first and study our helpful step-by-step illustrations and photographs. The trick is to feel confident working in three-dimensions. If you find yourself working in a fourth dimension … you need to take a break!

Our Citrus Holiday designs were made using Heather Bailey's delightful Pop Garden & Bijoux Collection. To learn more about how we created this non-traditional holiday palette, read our article: Citrus Holiday: A Lighthearted Living Room.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Any Sewing Machine (we recommend the Memory Craft 5200)

Fabric and Other Supplies

• Fabric for stocking body: ½ yard of 45" wide fabric PER STOCKING: we used Heather Bailey's Pop Garden & Bijoux in Pop Daisy Cream, Pineapple Brocade Canary, and Peonies Red (3 different stockings= 1 ½ yards total.)
• Fabric for stocking crown shape at top edge (4 cut pieces total): ¼ yard of 45" wide fabric PER STOCKING: we used Heather Bailey's Pop Garden & Bijoux in Mod Bead Green (3 stockings all in the same fabric = ¾ yards total).
• Fabric for monogram letter AND stocking hook: ¼ yard of 45" wide fabric PER STOCKING (this ¼ yard will provide enough fabric for all 3 stocking letters and hooks that we have made here). We used a red cotton sateen.
• Lightweight fusible interfacing for monogram letters: ¼ yard of 45" width fusing
• All purpose thread
• Matching thread color to monogram letter fabric for zig-zag embroidery stitch around letters
• Small contrasting color pom-poms to sew onto 6 total crown points: 6 pom-poms PER STOCKING
• Small amount of Poly-Fil to stuff into toe of stocking
• See-through ruler
• Pencil
• Iron and ironing board
• Hand sewing needle
• Scissors
• Tape
• Straight pins

Getting Started

1. Download and print the two patterns that make up the top and bottom of the stocking. Line them up along the horizontal dotted lines, tape the two pieces of paper together at this line, and cut out around darker, solid outside line. A ¼" seam allowance around the stocking edges and a ½" seam allowance at the top of the stocking have already been added to this pattern.
   • Pattern: Stocking Top Half
   • Pattern: Stocking Bottom Half
2. Download and print the pattern for the stocking crown, and cut out around darker, solid outside line. A ¼" seam allowance around the sides and points, and a ½" seam allowance at the top crown edge have already been added to this pattern.
   • Pattern: Stocking Crown
3. Using your see-through ruler and pencil, draw two rectangles 18" high x 12" wide on the ½ yard of fabric you are using for the body of your stocking. Cut out around drawn lines.
   
4. Place the two cut rectangles right sides together, lining up the raw edges. Pin the stocking pattern through these two layers of fabric, and cut around all edges. This is the front and back of your stocking, so if your fabric has a dominant design(s) as ours did, center your pattern piece to take best advantage of those design(s). Set the cut pieces aside.
   
5. Using your see-through ruler and pencil, draw four rectangles 8" high x 10 ½" wide on the ¼ yard of fabric you are using for the stocking crown. Cut around drawn lines.
   
6. Place two of the cut rectangles right sides together, lining up the raw edges. Pin the stocking crown pattern through these two layers of fabric, and cut around all edges.
   
7. Repeat this step for the remaining two fabric rectangles, so you have cut four total stocking crown fabric pieces.
8. Using the provided pattern downloads of alphabet monogram letters, print out the file(s), cut out the letter(s) you would like around the outside line, and set aside.
   • Letters Pattern: A-L
   • Letters Pattern: M-W
   • Letters Pattern: X-Z
9. For each monogram letter you desire, cut out a square of the fusible interfacing 2½" wide x by 2½" high, and fuse this square to the WRONG side of the fabric you are using for the monogram letters. Cut out this newly fused 2 ½" fabric square. The fusing makes the letter stiffer, and therefore, it's much easier to work with than plain, limp fabric.
10. Place the cut-out monogram letter pattern onto the RIGHT side of a fused fabric square, trace around the letter with a fabric pencil, then cut out the fabric letter.
11. Using your see-through ruler and pencil, draw a rectangle 7" high x 2¼" wide onto the fabric you are using for the stocking hooks. Repeat this step for each stocking you are making. Set aside.

At Your Sewing Machine & Ironing Board

1. Pin the cut-out fabric letter at the center of one of your four stocking crown pieces. Using a matching thread color to the cut-out fabric letter color, applique around the outer edges of the cut-out letter using a short-stitch-length zig-zag stitch. Be sure the width of the zig-zag is wide enough to secure the raw edges of the cut-out letter to the stocking crown piece. Go slowly! Appliquéing a more intricate shape, such as these letters, is a more advanced technique than appliquéing a simple circle or square. Stop as often as you need to, with your needle in the DOWN position, and adjust your fabric so you are stitching in as straight a line as possible. You might want to practice on a scrap piece of fabric if you are new to appliqué.
2. Pin the right side of this stocking crown piece with the letter to the right side of a second stocking crown piece, and sew a ¼" seam allowance along the left and right sides of the crown. Repeat this step with the remaining two stocking crown pieces. On the ironing board, press these ¼" side seams flat and open. You will now have two sewn stocking crown "circles"- one circle with a letter (this will be the crown showing on the outside of the stocking), and one circle without a letter (this will be the inside lining of the crown).
   
3. Turn the stocking crown circle WITHOUT the letter inside out, so the right side of the fabric is now facing to the outside and the side seam allowances are facing to the inside. Now slide this circle inside the other circle with the letter. You now have the two circles facing right sides together.
4. Pin these two circles together so their side seam allowances line up, as well as all the crown points. Sew a ¼" seam allowance around all the edges of the crown points, leaving the top of the crown open.
   
5. Clip the seam allowance away from the crown points, and turn this now single crown piece inside out- see photo
   
6. Using a dull point, like a knitting needle or the closed end of a pen, gently push out all the crown points and press them flat. Set crown aside.
7. Find the 7" high x 2¼" wide rectangle(s) you made for your stocking hook. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to create the finished stocking hook(s). Set hook(s) aside.
   
8. Find the front and back stocking pieces you cut out. Place them right sides together, matching up all raw edges. Stitch a ¼" seam allowance around the side and bottom edges of the stocking. LEAVE THE TOP OF THE STOCKING OPEN.
9. Clip the seam allowance away from the stocking toe point. Then, being careful not to cut through your seam, clip into the seam allowance about every 1" - 2" all around the outer seam of the stocking. This allows the fabric to "give" a little and will help make the curves smoother when the stocking is turned inside out.
   
10. Turn the stocking inside out through the open top. Take a small amount of the polyester fiberfill and stuff the toe point to desired fullness.
    
11. Find your completed stocking hook(s). Fold hook in half to make a loop, lining up the raw edges so the loop is facing down inside the stocking, and edgestitch the hook to the inside left edge of the stocking. Stitch very close to the edge - approximately 1/8".
    
12. Slide finished crown, with the letter facing out, inside the stocking, lining up the top raw edges and the side seams. The toe of the stocking should be facing to the right.
    
13. Pin the crown to the stocking top and sew a ½" seam allowance around the entire top edge.
    
14. After sewing the ½" seam, flip the crown to the outside of the stocking - almost as if you were turning up the cuff of a sleeve. Press the edge of the seam flat.
    
15. Using your hand sewing needle and thread, sew a pom-pom onto each of the six crown points.

Hints and Tips

If you intend to use the stocking for more than decoration, and intend for Santa to fill it with heavy objects (like gold and silver coins, because you've been very, very good), you should consider reinforcing the stocking seam. After sewing the ¼" seam around the outside stocking edges (step #8 above), sew another ¼" seam directly on top of the first ¼" seam, to give extra strength.

Contributors
Project Design: Alicia Thommas
Sample Creation & Instructions: Gregory Dickson

Other machines suitable for this project include the Bernina activa 240, Pfaff hobby 1122.

Comments (31)

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... @ Keri - Wow! SIX of them - good for you. I haven't tried this project with either of the options you suggest, but my best guess would be to use the heavier cotton sateen or another home decor weight for a slightly heftier end result. I think it could get too thick in all the twists in turns with a fusible interfacing. To avoid that, you could cut back the fusible so it isn't in the seams, but geeze - that would add a lot of steps. When I'm questioning types of substrates, I often buy an inexpensive remnant in the weight or type of fabric I'm considering using and make a prototype.

December 22, 2011

Keri said:

... A friend and I made six of these yesterday! They turned out beautifully. Something we noticed is that we had to use extra filling to get the body of the stocking to hold its shape. To avoid filling the whole bottom of the foot, next time could I possibly use decorator fabric or fusible interfacing to make the stocking stiffer and better able to hold its shape? Any thoughts?? Thank you so much for the tutorial!

December 21, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... @ Carmel - very cute! thanks for letting us know how they turned out - and thanks for letting your friends know about Sew4Home

December 18, 2011

Carmel said:

... Thanks for such a lovely tutorial. I have made three lovely Christmas elf stockings for my children. You can see them here: http://liamsolomonsmummy.blogs...-toes.html

December 18, 2011

Kathy Glaves said:

... Cute, cute, cute!! I've made our entire family stockings (grandkids & everyone) -- but now it's time for mine & this is it!! Thank you!

December 04, 2011

Leanne said:

... I love this! Thank you so much xx

December 01, 2011

scissorhands said:

... @ Lindsey W... My thoughts about a lining were a little different. I made some Halloween stockings like witches boots, similar to this, but they had a heel also. I drew the pattern and then I made a lining shaped more like a traditional stocking, but with a shorter toe area. I used the same pattern as the outside, but just rounded the toe area off. That way I could still stuff the curly toe to keep it's shape, and then the goodies I filled the stocking with didn't get lost in the toe stuffing. I hope I was able to describe this well enough. Hard to do without pictures. Good luck. These type stockings are so adorable!

November 13, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... @ Lindsey W - these stocking are not meant to be lined so you'd need to start by redrawing the body a bit larger all around in order to accommodate the two layers. I'm not sure to tell you how much - it will depend on your fabric. You may need to experiment a bit because the curly toe in particular gets bulky fast with the narrow turn and seam allowances - it would need to be wider for sure. Once you have that figured out, you would need to create two complete stocking bodies one for the outside and one for the lining. Turn the lining wrong side out and keep the exterior right side out. Slip the lining stocking inside the exterior so the two are wrong sides together. Use a long tool like a chopstick to help you poke the lining down into the toe and curl it around. Line up the seams of the two pieces and get the two layers as flat as possible. Machine baste the two layers together around the top opening. Then, simply treat your lined stocking as if it is a single layer and complete using the instructions as is. The crown would be made and attached in the same manner as in the original steps above. Hope that helps.

November 02, 2011

Lindsey W said:

... I know this is an oooold project, but hopefully someone can help... how would I go about lining this?

November 02, 2011

Mary Steininger said:

... Love this pattern, thank you for sharing. I have made several now, even quilted some and they turn out great.

October 30, 2011

Miffy said:

... oops, i meant to write, stuff the two toe cut outs ,stitch it closed and stuff inside.x

October 27, 2011

Miffy said:

... Love this pattern. Am trying this out. An option to stop little ones pulling the stuffing out, is to cut two toe shape out of a lining fabric (up to where you stuff) and stuff that inside the main fabric.. Just a suggestion.

October 27, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... @ skmokis -- there isn't anything holding the stuffing in place. It's really just to fill out the toe so it has a good shape -- the idea is to stuff it down nice and tight; it should stay with no problem. I'm guessing your little ones will be more interested in the fun little things in the stocking than pulling out the stuffing. I suppose you could partially turn the stocking wrong side out at that step and hand stitch a little fabric "wall" in place. You'd want to keep you stitches very tiny because they would show from the outside.

October 22, 2011

skmokis said:

... I love these stockings and have been looking for ages for a pattern. I was actually looking to buy one but could never find one with the kind of toe I liked until I found you and the best part is it's free. Yu totally made my day!!! The only question I have is about stuffing the toe. Does the filling come out? I read the whole tutorial and didn't see how to enclose the stuffing. The only reason I ask is that I wanted to make my 4 year old and 2 year old these stocking this year but I'm afraid that they'll tear out the stuffing from the toe!

October 22, 2011

Railene said:

... What a find! Thank you so much for sharing your pattern and providing the tutorial. I am changing our "theme" for Christmas this year and these "Elf" stockings are perfect - so fun and whimsical!

October 08, 2011

RachelDiane said:

... Love this pattern. I have been trying to figure it out and draw one up for myself, then I found this one already done for me. I have 8 stockings cut out now, and plan to sew them up as more children come our way! ( We only have 2, but you never know!)

September 21, 2011

Mailey said:

... I have been looking for a patternlike this one.I came across your site last night . I download the pattern. But couldn't download the instructions. I know it will turn out very nice. Thank you

August 19, 2011

Theresa Olsen said:

... Thank you so much for this pattern! I made three for our future bambinos, two regular shaped stockings for my husband and I, and a tree skirt! Beats paying the Pottery Barn prices and a lot more meaningful! http://danandtes.blogspot.com/2010/12/elf-stockings.html

December 23, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Homed said:

... Hi Sarah - Thanks for letting us know about your project -- I checked them out online -- totally love your fabric choices! Fun, fun, fun. Photos don't work great within our comments section -- kind of hit and miss. We are planning to do a Flickr or other photo-sharing group soon -- it's on the (very long) list of things to do.

December 21, 2010

sarah jerger: paper + stitch said:

... Thanks so much for this great pattern. I love how they turned out! Next... the tree skirt! :-) Blogged here: http://paperandstitch.blogspot...-boot.html (I hope I'm adding this photo right! If not, photo can be found on my blog post.)

December 21, 2010

Emily M. said:

... On a roll! My son is absolutely in love with his! Picture quality is stinky, but the sun is already gone for the day and lighting in no good in the house! Thank you so much for this tutorial!

November 30, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi Emily M -- lookee there! fun non-traditional combos. I especially like the diagonal stripes.

November 30, 2010

Emily M. said:

... I've made two!

November 30, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi Nanna Beth ... your daughter is right about your being a "genius" ... you found Sew4Home, right? This is where all the genius types hang out!

October 17, 2010

Nanna Beth said:

... Wanted to let you know that I made this stocking for my grandson, with the jingle bells instead of the pom poms! (big enough jingle bells as to not be a choaking hazzard) His eyes lit up and my daughter says I am a "genius" - thanks so much for the pattern!

October 17, 2010

Liz Johnson. Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi broobs -- so happy to hear that we have fulfilled your lifelong dream of jester stockings! We would love to see a picture. Send us an email through our contact form and include an attached photo or two. We try to post visitor projects as often as we can. Thanks for letting us know!

April 05, 2010

broobs said:

... I have been looking for a elf/jester stocking pattern for years now, but with no avail...until now! These are adorable! Instead of using pom poms we used colored jingle bells to get the jester look we were after. We also lined the stockings to make them a bit more durable. I would love to show the finished product, but I can't figure out how to post a pic on this forum.

April 05, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Merci de votre commentaire. Nous sommes heureux que vous aimiez ce projet. Visitez de nouveau bientôt et informez vos amis au sujet de Sew4Home.

October 16, 2009

laverda said:

... Je pense pouvoir faire des heureux avec cette jolie botte de Noël .merci !

October 15, 2009

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Thanks so much! These stockings are one of my favorites. There's something about them that just makes me smile.

October 12, 2009

mummsie said:

... Your projects look so happy and lively!! They ALL have that little extra "ping" to make them stand out. Love them

October 11, 2009

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