Fresh garlands tied with ribbons enliven plain stockings. When cast in sunny shades, the stockings create vibrant accents for a Christmas-morning gift exchange. The stockings featured here are trimmed with Port Orford cedar, a delicate-looking evergreen that is versatile and hardy, and eucalyptus, which dries nicely and smells lovely.
Start with a cuffed stocking. Enlarge template to desired size on a photocopier. Trace two stockings (positioned as mirrors) onto coarse homespun linen with tailor's chalk; cut out. Pin together, wrong sides facing. Stitch around perimeter of stocking as indicated on template, leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance; leave cuff edges unsewn. For each stocking, you'll need four 8-inch lengths of thin ribbon (5 millimeter taffeta ombre is shown here) along with some evergreen branches and floral wire. (Choose an evergreen that dries without shedding, such as cedar.) With a needle and thread, tack ribbons to front, back, and sides of the cuff, spacing evenly (as shown.)
Make a small garland by attaching bits of evergreen branches with floral wire. Attach a garland to each stocking by tying ribbons into bows. Remove garland before storing stocking.
Close
Contributors' Comments Add Comment