Ok so its October and I’ve hung on till now before mentioning the C word. Personally I can’t wait for all the Christmas music on the radio but I know some people don’t want to even think about it yet. I really love Christmas but love the run up even more. It is just a good excuse to get crafty.
I have made an early start this year for several reasons. Firstly I am making articles to sell at our village craft fair and thought that some Christmassy items would sell well. Secondly I had these makes in mind for this months pinaddicts challenge.
My inspiration for this months challenge comes from this pinterest picture
I have made some patchwork strip stockings. I am not clever or patient enough to attempt the applique part of the ones above so I just stuck witht the patchwork. I began by cutting the christmas fabric into 2inch wide strips- easily done with the fabric strip cutter I was bought for Christmas last year. It makes cutting the fabric so quick because I hate measuring.
Once you set the measuring guide and fasten it into place all the following fabric strips will be cut exactly the same width.
Easy oh so easy.
I then cut out a stocking shape in calico using one of my boys stockings as a template. I then just started stitching the strips across the calico using the stitch and flip method-nothing fancy as I am no master of patchwork. Then I got bored going all in one direction so I swapped over and stitched the strips in the opposite direction.
I cut out matching pieces of wadding and lining for both sides. The reverse side of the stocking is in one piece only. I stitched all the layers together and then bound all the edges with bias binding.
These are just two of the stockings I have made, I think that they have really turned out quite well and hope that they will sell well at the fair. I especially love the teddy bears in santa hats on the fabric in the second stocking.
stitchnmusic 