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Wrapping paper, party dresses, cozy pajamas... everything is better in PLAID during the holidays! While plaid fabrics abound, we wanted to create a version with our vibrant felt selection. This Holiday Plaid Stocking tutorial uses an assortment of our favorite Christmas colors and combines them with decorative stitching to give the illusion of a seamless plaid pattern. We love creating a new stocking design for you each year and we hope you're mad for this plaid. Merry Christmas in July!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 15 hours
Supplies:
Two 12 x 18" sheets of Ecru Wool Felt
Two 12 x 18" sheets of Plié Wool Felt
One 9 x 12" sheet of Sherwood Wool Felt
One 9 x 12" sheet of Selva Wool Felt
One 9 x 12" sheet of Cherry Red Wool Felt
One 9 x 12" sheet of Rhubarb Wool Felt
One 9 x 12" sheet of Cashmere Wool Felt
Sulky Thread - 1071, 1174, 0051, 1147, 1188 and 1838
Eco Vita Wool Embroidery Thread - 502 and 708
HeatnBond Iron-on Adhesive
Pressing Paper
Embroidery Needle
Scissors
Pinking Shears
Frixion Pen
Iron
Additional Supplies:
Plaid Template (click to download)
Assembly and Stitching Guide (click to download)
Sewing Machine
Ruler
Scarlet Velvet Ribbon - optional
Peppermint Pom - optional
NOTE: Be sure to check printer settings and print all templates and guides at 100% so they are the proper dimensions.
Directions:
Stocking Base
1. Prepare Stocking Base as instructed in our Felt Stocking tutorial. This project uses Ecru felt for the Base and Plié felt for the Lining. At Step 4, proceed with these directions to embellish the stocking prior to assembly.
Holiday Plaid Pattern
2. A plaid pattern is established by combining colors in a certain order. For this pattern the felt colors have been assigned the following letters which are used in the Template and Assembly Guide:
A: Cherry Red
B: Rhubarb
C: Cashmere
D: Selva
E: Sherwood
3. Print Plaid Template onto iron-on adhesive sheets. Cut around each group of letters. Iron groups onto corresponding felt colors using pressing paper. Make sure felt is completely adhered to adhesive paper. You may need to press multiple times on front and back. Once pattern is adhered to felt, cut around each square.
Take your time cutting out felt squares. The key to a great finished plaid pattern is precision!
4. Use a Frixion pen and ruler to mark the center of one side of a Rhubarb square. Mark center of top edge of stocking.
5. Remove backing paper from marked Rhubarb square. Lining up center marks, place square flush along top edge of stocking and iron in place. Make sure square is completely adhered to stocking.
6. With center Rhubarb square as a reference point, use Assembly Guide to add remaining squares to first row. Remove paper backings and iron in place. Incomplete edge squares can be roughly trimmed before adhering.
7. Use Assembly Guide to continue adding and ironing each row to stocking body. Note that some spaces are left blank and Ecru base will show through. You can do a final trim of edge pieces after adding each row or wait until all felt squares have been added.
Once all felt squares have been firmly adhered and edges trimmed, your stocking should look like the image below. Now it's time to start stitching!
8. Use one strand of matching thread to whip stitch around perimeter of each square (including incomplete ones.) Precision really elevates this project, so I recommend using the Stitching Guide included above to ensure even stitch spacing.
Once all squares are carefully stitched, your stocking should look like the image below. It's a charming quilted look - but we're going for a perfect holiday plaid!
9. Use a Frixion pen and ruler to re-mark top center of center Rhubarb square. Measure and mark 3/8" away from center on either side. Moving down the center column, make same measurements and marks and various points. Line up ruler along points and draw three vertical lines down entire center column.
Repeat this step for all columns and rows with an Ecru (or missing) square. The final marked stocking should look like the example below.
10. Use one strand of Eco Vita 708 to back stitch along outer lines in each set of three drawn lines. Use Stitching Guide to ensure even 1/4" stitches.
11. Use Eco Vita 502 to back stitch along center line in each set of three drawn lines. Use Stitching Guide to achieve even stitches. Use hairdryer or iron to remove pen markings after stitching is completed.
Finished plaid stocking front should look like the image below.
Finishing Stocking
12. After completing Holiday Plaid design, return to the Felt Stocking tutorial to finish assembly.
13. As optional embellishment, add a velvet bow and some felted pom charms!
Isn't this Holiday Plaid Stocking iconic? What a wonderful keepsake to add to your family's Christmas home!
And for those of you that want something a little softer and a littler pinker...
Pastel Plaid Stocking
Below is the color palette to make a pastel version of the Holiday Plaid Stocking. All instructions are the same. Refer to Assembly Guide for color placement.
Base - Ecru Wool Felt
Lining - Crema Wool Felt
A: Hibiscus Wool Felt, Sulky 1558, DMC Eco Vita 404
B: Begonia Wool Felt, Sulky 1119
C: Oyster Wool Felt, Sulky 1149
D: Laurel Wool Felt, Sulky 1229
E: Agave Wool Felt, Sulky 4086, DMC Eco Vita 705
Optional Embellishments - Hibiscus and Plié Felt Ribbon, Felted Star and Pom pom
Merry Making!
Thanks to Camille for designing and writing this tutorial! You can follow her on Instagram @notsomodernmillie or visit her website. Stay tuned for another new Christmas in July tutorial coming tomorrow!
