Ideas For Personalized Christmas Stockings

Making a personalized Christmas stocking is a terrific tradition that brings a special joy to each member of the family. Coordinating themes, color schemes, trims and fabrics to your loved ones' taste is fun and easy.

Let's look at each element of design in turn and get your creative juices flowing. At the end, you'll have a design and pattern for your personalized Christmas stocking.

Themes: Christmas has many “faces” to display on a stocking. Just think of things your family member particularly loves about Christmas or loving family associations. Christmas themes include angels, the Nativity, snowmen, Christmas trees, gingerbread men or a partridge in a pear tree. Maybe your sister loves cats. You can use an ethnic theme reflecting your family's heritage. Be creative!

Color schemes and fabrics: Besides the traditional red and green, white, silver and gold give a festive look. Generally, three-color schemes work well. However, you can create a stunning stained-glass effect with a range of jewel colors.

Let's say your niece loves gold lame and roses. Gold fabrics and trims are well entrenched in the holiday decorating idea bin. Here's one idea. You could use gold lame fabric for the stocking background, then appliqué hearts of different sizes in a rose-patterned fabric. Trim the cuff with purchased satin ribbon roses over a band of delicate lace. A perfect personalized Christmas stocking.

Your older Aunt Jane has a thing for plaids and angels. How about a background of assorted plaids arranged in stripes, with a white satin angel appliquéd to the stocking with a lace cuff trim? You might attach a few snips of yarn hair for your angel.

Your husband likes neutral colors and enjoys fishing. You might choose two or three neutral shades for the stocking body, and appliqué a fish with a Santa's hat or antlers for Christmas fun.

Put your imagination to work. Check your fabric stash, and visit a fabric store.

Large fabric stores carry an unbelievable variety of trims. The types, materials and number will amaze you: laces, ribbons, woven, ethnic, glittery, sequined, beaded and tasseled.

Let your family member's personality guide you. Your brother might not like satin and lace. He might prefer a manly suede leather trim. Remember, you want a personalized Christmas stocking. It's fun for you, and your family member has a joyful memory each year to come.

Now let's bring your personalized Christmas stocking to life!

Use a paper grocery bag to draw your stocking shape. Using a pencil, refine the shape until you like it. Cut out your stocking, then trace a duplicate on another grocery bag. Mark the duplicate with a half-inch allowance on all sides, then cut out.

Your first cutout, without seam allowances, is used as a template for shapes you appliqué or zigzag stitch to your stocking base shape. Complete each side, then stitch together. Now you've got a personalized Christmas stocking. You'll love the results!