Long before the holidays spring up I have great plans for stitching gifts for family and friends. But inevitably, the hustle and bustle of preparing a Thanksgiving meal, decorating the home and fighting the crowds everywhere I go and staying within budget leaves me overwhelmed. That’s why I think finding balance and coming up with a plan are so important.
This year I’ve decided to stitch Christmas stockings. Here are 5 reasons why I love this idea and think you will too:
- Out of the Ordinary!
These are not your ordinary stockings from your local discount store. These stockings have a zipper from the cuff to the toe enabling you to hoop the stocking flat!
- No need to wrap the gift!The Stocking is the wrapping and also means you don’t have to buy something massive that will be difficult to transport or ship.
- A little applique goes a long way!Don’t have time to stitch? Use your favorite applique design. Appliques don’t have a lot of stitching—the applique fabric becomes the focal point.
- Themes!Here’s where you can have some fun. Write down a list of your gift recipients in one column. Now in the second column write down their interests and activities. This will also help you determine what to stuff the stocking with. Keep in mind you don’t have to spend a lot to fill your stocking. It’s not what you spend it’s the thought you put into personalizing it. Here’s a look at gift ideas with my friends as examples:
Name Interests Gift Ideas Roger Likes to grill Cooking utensils (wooden spoons, spatulas, spoon rests, spices, recipe cards, gourmet sauces Casey Has a sweet tooth Chocolates, cookies, hot chocolate. Pick something unusual for them to try or go ‘old school’ and select only those candies that were from their childhood. People always enjoy reminiscing over their favorite candies as a child. Ashton Baby’s First Christmas Baby bibs, baby bottles, booties, onesies Janis Loves to sew Fat quarters of fabric, interesting buttons and notions, ribbons and trim - Quality “me” time for… others!Having a hard time escaping? Everyone need a piece of your time? Let them know you’re designing their gift. Besides, the time spent stitching is minimal – and this time is your opportunity to rejuvenate your creative spirit so that you can enjoy the holidays more with others!
I think you’ll agree that coming up with a plan makes the gift-giving-gift-making task less of a ‘task’ and more of an opportunity to create and have fun. Read on for tips to embrace your inner ‘creative designer’.
A little time to design!
Take a look at your design stash to see what designs you’ve collected that fit the theme for your gift recipients. Here’s your chance to get creative AND actually use your random mix of embroidery designs! Or you can choose a holiday theme – snowflakes, Christmas trees, etc.
You can also use your built-in lettering on your embroidery machines or in your embroidery software. Come up with cute sayings or stitch the person’s name with the year.
Whatever you choose, remember it’s not what you spend it’s the thought you put into personalizing it. This sure beats anything you can pick up from your local drug store or retailer!
Pick up a stocking (or two!) from Designs in Machine Embroidery! Click here to purchase.
17 COMMENTS
Donna F
11 years agoGreat idea. I think I should start January 1 for next year.
Karen T
11 years agoMy go to simple project is embroidering my families names on bath towels. My sister has mentioned a couple of times, “are you going to any towels again?”.
Judy Klep
11 years agoWhere do you get the stockings with the zippers?
Mary Haggenmaker
11 years agoI would very much like to know the measurements of these stockings. My grand daughter has approached me about doing stockings for each of her 5 family members so I would like to know the size and also what material is being used..velvet I hope.
eileenroche
11 years ago AUTHORHello Mary, the stockings are 18″ tall while the cuff is 9 1/2″ wide. They are a velvet plush, closer to a velveteen and fully lined.
Nancy Weber
11 years agoHow ingenious!! A zipper makes these the perfect blank. And I love the themed ideas for filling them. You are so very creative. Merry Christmas. Nan Weber
Linda
11 years agoVery creative! Once again you “knocked our socks off” with such a creative idea of adding the zipper! This makes the stocking easier to sew and easier to get to the goodies! I love making Christmas gifts personal and adding the appliqués which highlight hobbies and interests is a great idea for the perfect gift!
Jackie Ames
11 years agoThat is such a great idea….wish I had them when my kids were young, tho I’m sure the grands will love them. That is so much easier to add the names to.
Denice Weys
11 years agoI agree with Donna, I need to start this January for Christmas next year. You can make the stocking and fill it, no extra wrapping and lots of fun.
Cathy
11 years agoMy favorite “go to” gift for the ladies is kitchen towels. I started stitching “seasons” so no one would end up with too many Christmas towels. This year’s season is spring.
Janet
11 years agoLove this I would love to have the instructions. I think everyone would
Mary Haggenmaker
11 years agoGranddaughter wants 5 stockings. Name on top and applique on the main body. What are the dimensions of the ones you have and how much are they?
Mary Haggenmaker
11 years agoIs this a pattern, if so purchasing details please.
Sue
11 years agoI thought there was a sale on Creative Machine embroidery and Designs in Machine embroidery if you bought the two together.
Do you have anything like that?
prices
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