Design by Nine

The current was stronger than I anticipated at The River.
I was asked to help with a few of the costumes for their production of Misery. (who me? oh wow! really?) Of course I jumped on the chance to be on board.

Why I am telling you this? Well, it's my reason for being late on posting the Christmas stockings finish. So here are the pictures of these beauties. And a brief description of how I did it. If you want to get a jump start on next year's stockings, now is a great time. The fabric will probably be on sale.
Speaking of the fabric, it's polyester. Wooly polyester for the white and fleecy fur polyester for the red. I can clearly remember when polyester was a word that would make be cringe. And there are still types of polyester that I can't stand to touch let alone wear. But the new polyester types are so different from the old double knit that I look forward to sewing with them, washing them and then Not ironing them.

First. Your pattern. Trace a stocking you like or free hand a design of your own. Paper grocery bags work well or tissue paper. Be sure to make the fold over cuff larger than the stocking so it will lay nicely and not bunch up.







If you are using any of the slippery types of fabric, be sure to pin the fabric together before removing your pattern.

Here is down side.



The fuzzy fibers get everywhere. Worse than velvet. But worth it.



Even if you do have to vacuum mid- project.

It's pretty simple. Sew foot pieces right sides together and cuff piece right sides together. Turn the foot part right side out. Then place the right side of the cuff to the wrong side of the foot, tuck your "hanger" between the layers (on the heel side) lined up with the raw edges and sew the top edges together. Flip the cuff right side out and ....



tada! Now all you have to do is add a name tag.



To make things more smoothly, I used a new ball point needle for stretch knits (always a new needle). I used large flower head pins, so they could be seen and not lost in the pile of the fabric. The straight stitch foot on the presser foot, it runs smoother over the wooly stuff and does not tangle up like the multi-purpose foot can. And I kept the wrong side of the fabrics to both the presser foot and feed dogs. On the last step it is a wee bit tricky stitching in the round on the inside of the cuff. Just take it slowly, I don't think ripping out a mistake is an option with this fabric. I used the serger after each step to keep the fuzz factor down. A bit. LOL

I wish you could feel these beauties. Mmmmm! so nummy. They were a big hit with the family and they stretched just fine. I am looking forward to using them for many Christmas' to come.

As for the new polyester fabric.( I don't think it is for the beginning sewer.) But, I have already bought some of the wooly polyester fabric in a pretty pink that I have plans to make an over shirt/jacket with. Even if you have to vacuum two or three times,I think the way this fabric feels is worth the extra effort.