Tips for making fabric stockings please!

[DunderMifflin]

I want to make them for my kids this year (first Christmas with two of the little blighters!! ) so I'd just like to know if anyone has any useful tips.

For example, regular fabric or felt? Would blanket stitch hold it or should this be more decorative with 'proper' sewing machine stitching underneath? Good place to find a pattern or ways of decorating it?

Thanks!

I was going to make some but then found two brilliant applique'd felt ones in Matalan for £5 each and it was a no brainer.

I would say, felt is fine, but stitch them together strongly and then decorate over the top. DH has a lovely felt stocking made for him when a child, just has his name in letters and little Christmas appliques on it.

If you scan the November issues of the Prima/crafty type magazines in the newsagent there is bound to be a stocking type pattern in one of them.

Fleece is good. I'd stitch on a sewing machine, as I think hand-done blanket stitch wouldn't last the years. You can cover up the seams using decorative ribbon.

You don't need a pattern, it's pretty idiot-proof. Just don't make the mistake my mum did with my younger dc's stockings as and decorate them with cute little jingly bells. Causes headaches for FC every year, as he tries to sneak the stocking in and out of the bedrooms without a little chorus of jingly noises.

[Doh emoticon]

Good tips - thank you!