The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care...

Some might say that it's a bit late to not have stockings up.

I say better late than ever.
I couldn't find the perfect stockings until I saw them on another blog. I spotted them so late that I was concerned about getting them in time for Christmas. :(
I especially loved how one stocking looked masculine and one look very feminine.
I guess I could have used last years, but I just couldn't settle. What to do... what to do? I would have just bought them had I spotted them around early November. I was determined to get some for the kids...

So...

I used craft paper to freehand two shapes that looked similar. After several lines in different marker colors, I finally had two outlines I liked. I cut them out, folded the remnant right sides together, and pinned my homemade patterns on the woven fabric I had. I then cut around the pinned stacks, leaving a little extra fabric all the way around to zig zag stitch. (keeps fabric from unraveling)

This is the pattern for our son's.
This is the pattern I came up with for our daughters'.
I left the "pattern" pinned on the fabric so I wouldn't lose the curves while I sewed. I made sure the needle of my sewing machine stayed right up against the edge of the paper. Afterwards, I zig zag stitched around the rough edges and hemmed the opening by folding it down and top stitching. I also zig zag stitched on a loop of ribbon to hang them by.

Son's

Daughters'I loved the look of the letters hanging, too. I just picked up wood ones and drilled holes for some jute twine.
After adding the jute tied letters...
A while back, I picked up that fabric as a remnant for $6. It's been begging to be made into something wonderful. I think it was destined to be! It's a burlap look but feels delightfully soft. The colors are perfect for my natural and beachy Christmas decor. See... better late than ever!

Notice the stocking hangers? I'll show you how to make them tomorrow night. They are great! They'll hold a ton of weight and won't fall down. They aren't finished, by the way. I have some paint in mind and the last balls need to be added to keep the ring from scratching your mantel.