Line the mantel -- or a child's bed -- with colorful handmade stockings that invite stuffing. These felt socks, cut with scallop scissors, are embellished with rickrack zigzags or blooms. You can scatter the blossoms or cluster them in a cuff.

Our icicle-inspired stocking (center) is striped with frosty-silver and icy-green trim. Create holly leaves with fabric stiffener; for berries, roll up pieces of trim, and secure ends with glue.

Decorate the felt before you cut out the stocking. Gluing rickrack in place makes it a snap to sew; dot trim's points with fabric glue, and, using a ruler to keep a straight line, lay rickrack on felt. Let dry. Sew with clear thread.

Then, layer decorated piece on plain; outline our stocking template with disappearing-ink pen; pin. Stitch perimeter. Cut out stocking with scallop scissors, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Sew on felt loop and any additional decorations.