Day 3::::Burlap & Ruffle Stockings

I am so excited to share this finished project....I literally just finished it! I have a thing for burlap---it's a great and versatile material to work with. Mismatched stockings drives me nuts and I have always had a fear of buying my husband and I stockings and them when our family grew I wouldn't be able to find one for our child. I know there are bigger things to worry about, but just go with it:)))

     I was destined to creAte an original design for our family stocking. To be quite honest, I'm overjoyed with the result!!! My husband and mine are almost done, but I was so excited once I finished Gianna's that I knew I had to share this project today!

There was no rhyme or reason (or use of a pattern), I just went with it! I started with tracing a stocking shape. My stockings are only burlap on the outside and red cloth for the lining.  I used muslin for the top base, ruffles and name. Side note:::The ruffles do not go all the way around the stocking, you could if you wanted, but I did the ruffles just long enough to cover the front and wrap around the edges. 

First, I created a base out of muslin, I made it twice as long and folded it so it was double layered. I wanted to make sure it was thick enough. 

For the ruffles I cut strips of muslin and used my Serger to serged the ends. If you don't do this the edges will fray. If you do not have a serger, you can fold and stitch the edges. I did a basting stitch done the middle of each muslin strip to create the ruffle effect. I laid 3 ruffle strips on the muslin base I created earlier and pinned the strips down good enough to do a straight stitch down the middle of each. 

To give the muslin top a finished look, I created my own muslin binding and stitched it to the top and bottom of the muslin piece. I then stitched the entire section onto the burlap stocking. 

Name Tag:::First, I embroidered each name and serged the edges. Once again, I added an extra piece of muslin on the back of the name piece to make it a good thickness. This is where I ran into a dilemma::::how was I going to attached the name tag????    

     After staring at my sewing machine, it came to me::::create a button hole. So, I sewed a buttonhole on the name tag and fed ribbon through it. I used a hole punch and made a hole underneath the bottom ruffle and tied a bow!

 Lastly, I used the same ribbon in the name tag and created a loop at the top so you can hang it on a stocking hook. 

Once they are all complete, I'll post a final picture. 

If anyone dares to attempt this:))) and gets confused by my less than systematic instructions, just let me know!!!