Decorating the stocking

• How to make a Christmas stocking
• Making the stocking
• Decorating the stocking

Step 4) Using the templates as a guide, and checking the sizes against your chalked stocking, draw an icicle trim and three holly leaf shapes on the paper side of a piece of Bondaweb. Following manufacturer's instructions, place the Bondaweb, paper side up, on to your felt and press.

Cut out the shapes and check the sizes again against your stocking, making sure that the icicle trim in particular fits neatly between the three chalked seam lines at the top of the stocking. Trim a little if necessary. Remove the backing paper and iron the motifs in place on the stocking. Using a contrasting thread, top stitch all round each leaf, 5mm from the edges, and then stitch in the ‘veins' of each leaf (use the illustration as a guide).

Step 5) - Right sides facing and matching raw edges all round, pin the two stocking pieces together. Machine stitch, taking a 2.5cm seam, leaving the top edge open. Trim seams and snip into the seam allowances around the curved edges to ease the fit. Press open seam allowances and turn through.

Step 6) - Fold the gingham strip in half widthways and stitch a 2.5cm seam along the short edges to form a ring. Press seam open and turn through. Fold in half along the length, matching raw edges and press. Then turn under 2.5cm along one long edge and press again. Repeat along the remaining long raw edge. Right sides facing and matching raw edges, pin the gingham trim to the top of the stocking, matching the trim seam with one of the stocking seams. Turn the trim over the raw edge of the stocking and slip stitch in place on the reverse. To finish, stitch miniature bells or baubles in place on the holly leaves.

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Illustrations by Micheal Hill.

Chosen by Country Homes & Gardens