Sister Missionary Stockings - DIY

SO - I know it's been awhile since I've posted but I've got something to share.

 6 months ago our oldest daughter left to serve an 18 month mission in Pennsylvania Philadelphia for our church - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  (To learn more about this - please visit LDS.org or stay tuned that's a topic for another day)  I was looking for something to make &/or send to her for Christmas.  I found Christmas stockings for Elders - well that just will not do for this mom of 3 girls. 

I HAD to figure out something for my girl.

I took photos as I made hers I'll try to explain as I go.

Sister Missionary Stockings

Supplies:  White felt   small white shirt   small skirt   5 inches Ribbon

Step 1 : I went to Goodwill and bought a couple of cute little girl outfits - about 2-3T size or smaller (been a while since I've had the opportunity to do so since my "baby" is 12 and taller than me :) I did wash them just so they didn't have the Goodwill smell my girls call it.  

Step 2 : I traced a stocking we had at the house but there are numerous ones out there is you Google "Printable Stocking Pattern".  Once you have your pattern cut 2 out of the white felt.

 

Step 3:  Split the side seems of the skirt & shirt. (sorry the picture is blurry).

                  So in theory you could get 2 stockings out of one skirt!

 

 



 Step 4: Place the shirt on one of the stocking pieces and try to line the middle of the shirt to the middle of the stocking {the middle of the leg part}.  I play with it a little lining it up to see if my shirt to skirt ratio looks normal. Then I trim the shirt about an inch longer than I need.  So when I sew the skirt will overlap the shirt. Once I have it where I like it I pin the just the shirt.  Then I stitch around the collar and down the front (if it has a row of buttons).  I try real hard to stay on the existing stitching.  Important: when placing the skirt make sure the skirt covers the toe of the stocking and the heel and hangs over a bit too.  I wanted my skirt to look natural like it would hanging on a person.

 

Step 5: Next I attach the skirt to the stocking. Again I try to follow the stitching in the skirt and match the color of thread if I have it.  In the skirt below - I followed the stitching of the skirt but then that left the top of the waistband free and floppy. So in the same color of thread to match the skirt I stitched across the top too.  Sorry I don't have a pic for that.

 

 

Step 6: Now to put the back on and sew them together.  Lay the back on top of the front you've worked hard to make.  I lay the top flat and smooth the skirt out like you want it to lay.  Line up the top the toes and heel, pin.  Now here are several pics to help with pinning it all together.

 

I started at the top right and started pinning around the edge working my way around.  When I get to the toe,  See the purple pin - that is the last pin that includes the skirt fabric.  I now continue around but I DO NOT include the skirt. (that is so it will be free flowing) You should be pinning felt front to felt back at this point.

 

 

Now I start pinning at the top left of the stocking lining things up as I go. Insert the ribbon loop at the top here - the loop should be inside.  When I get about an 1 inch above the heel, (where the blue pin is) that is the last point I catch skirt in the side seem.  From here, I shove the skirt inside the stocking and continue to pin the felt front to felt back.

 

 

Step 7: Stitch around the stocking from one opening to the next - leaving the top open.

 

 

Step 8: Turn right side out!  Below is a picture of the front & back.  Notice the skirt doesn't really line up on the back. That's because of the heel/toe slant on my stocking but I figure the front is so cute no one will really be looking at the back :)

 

 





 

Step 9:  I did make a little name tag in Word - printed it  and laminated it to make it shiny.  I also added beaded garland to make a necklace.  I just hot glued it on each side so it was free to hang.  I also hot glued the Missionary tag. 

I had so much fun making these for My Missionary Daughter and her companion. 4 lucky Sister Missionaries from my Stake also received them.  Wish they all could have one.