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Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Christmas is coming again...so perhaps I should finish those stockings!

Last year I had every intention of making quilted stocking for our family, which would be six with the husband and all of the kids!  I started fairly early, and even had plans to also make a quilt, "plans" being the key word here.  I have lots of "plans/ideas" but barely any time to complete them.  Anyway, long story short, I finished one stocking, but even then I thought it was too short so I took it apart, and then there were none!  So....this year my new goal is to finish the five remaining stockings before Christmas.  It might sound pretty easy and straight forward, but those of you that like to continually bite off more than you can chew....like I tend to ALWAYS end up doing...then you can see that this goal might not be obtained once again.  Okay, okay enough talk, here is stocking number one.
 As you can see this stocking has basic block/postage stamp piecing using Aneela Hoey's Cherry Christmas and some solid white fabric.  For the quilting, I just stitched a 1/4 inch from the pieced seams, creating a grid.  Then for the cuff I used some scrap fine wale corduroy since the greens matched so well.  I cut the shape for the stocking myself and it looked too short for how narrow it was, but in this picture I had added a four inch strip of white fabric under the cuff to extend the stocking.  It definitely looks better now. Now for stocking number two.
This one is still a work in progress, obviously, but I using half square triangles to create a zig zag pattern.  The quilting just follows the pieced lines again, mimicking the zig zag.  I used scrap fabric for two of the prints and then the red is Cherry Christmas again.  This stocking front is without the four inch extender, so you can see the difference the extra length made in the first stocking.
For the next two stockings, I wanted to use a new mini charm pack I got this year from Moda called In From the Cold by Kate Spain.  It has a similar color scheme to Cherry Christmas, so I think it is going to look well together.  Above is just a potential layout for another basic block pattern stocking, but this time I was thinking of using some linen, to tie in with the Dwell wall hanging I made last month for the Simply Retro quilt along at Jana's blog.  I think I am going to have to add quite a few more blocks in to get it the right size though, probably some more white.  I am trying to use only one mini charm for the two stocking, however I might have to break down and use one more.
Then using some of the more tonal prints from the In From the Cold mini charm pack, I am going to make a pinwheel pattern stocking.  I think this one is going to turn out really great.

I also started an English Paper Pieced hexagon stocking last year, but I forgot to take a picture of that one.  Perhaps the next time I will have a photo of that one completed.  That leaves me with five planned stockings, what pattern should I use for my sixth stocking?  If you have any thought I would love to hear them!

I am linking up with Freshly Pieced this week for WIP Wednesday, which I love the idea since I have so many works in progress.

Until next time, have fun creating!


3 comments:

  1. Those look fantastic! I had every intention of making Christmas stockings for my family {I did needlepoint for my husband and oldest daughter, but with triplets I figured I'd be better of doing quilty ones}. They're still not done...I have tops done, then had a crisis with them and never touched them again...they've been hanging on my project wall for almost 2 years now lol

    Here via WIP Wednesday.

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  2. Those stockings are so cute! You are so talented. I love the patterns and fabrics. I wish I could have such cute Christmas decor! I hope your family appreciates them.

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  3. Love your Christmas stockings!! Please hurry and finish them, there's less than 90 days till Christmas. I work in retail, the boss tells us daily how many days are left : )

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