Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Christmas Secret Cross Stitch Finally Unveiled

Hey everyone, well Christmas is just around the corner and I think I am pretty well prepared at this stage. Presents have been bought, decorations are up, most of my gift wrapping is done and a super special secret Christmas project is done. This is a piece I had been planning to do for most of the year and now that it has been received by the new owner I can finally share it. I am ridiculously excited to show this off.

Cross Stitch Christmas Stocking Finish, Handmade Christmas Stocking, SamSarah Designs, Just Cross Stitch Ornament,
Handmade Christmas Stocking with Cross Stitch Piece Cuff

Here it is, my handmade Christmas Stocking for a very special member of my family. The cross stitch piece is from Just Cross Stitch Ornament Edition 2014 and it's a SamSarah Designs pattern called First Star. When I saw this piece I fell in love with it, and it is perfect for this project. It is stitched on 28ct antique white evenweave using DMC threads I had in my stash, 2 over 2.

Cross Stitch Christmas Stocking Finish, Handmade Christmas Stocking, SamSarah Designs, Just Cross Stitch Ornament
First Star by SamSarah Designs - Just Cross Stitch Ornament Ed. 2014

Once the cross stitch was done I started putting the stocking together based on a template made from an old stocking of mine for size and shape. The inside of the Stocking is lined with the grey Christmas tree fabric that I used for the cuff, and there is a layer of batting between the outer layer and the lining to make it nice and squishy. I really took my time with this, carefully cutting out each piece and stitching them together. I even made a practice one out of cheap material and I am grateful I did! Based on the practice run, I decided to stitch the cuff into the sides of the stocking which made it much neater and easier to put together.

Cross Stitch Christmas Stocking Finish, Handmade Christmas Stocking, SamSarah Designs, Just Cross Stitch Ornament
Stocking nearly ready to send to its new home

I thought that putting the majority of the stocking together would be fairly straight forward but the one thing that I couldn't figure out was how to stitch the lining to the inside so it wouldn't get pulled out. Thankfully the Internet came to the rescue and I used this tutorial to put it together so the lining would stay in place.

I am so delighted with how this project looks and I really hope the recipients love it too. It was super fun to make something so different and figure out the best way to put it all together. Hopefully this will encourage me to continue trying new ways to use my sewing machine and cross stitch finishes.

I want to wish all my readers an amazing Christmas and a wonderful New Year as this is my last post before the Holidays.

32 comments:

  1. Yay! What an awesome heirloom you have created! So special. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment Vickie. The recipients loved it so I'm delighted with that. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

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  2. The stocking is beautiful and I'm sure it will be treasured. What a fantastic finish.
    Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment. I think I might try to make one for me and my OH for next year. Will see how it goes. Have an amazing Christmas and New Year

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  3. Wow! What a stunning finish! You found the perfect cute stitch for it but really I'm in awe of your finishing skills. Amazing!
    Hope you have a very Merry Christmas.

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    1. Thanks so much for your lovely comment. There are still a couple of mistakes in the sewing on this but I think I know how to compensate for those next time. The cross stitch pattern is so sweet. Have a lovely Christmas.

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  4. Wow!! So glad it turned out so well and thank you for the links too.

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    1. Thanks so much for you comment. I am very happy with the result on this project. The tutorial I followed is nice and clear with lots of great pictures.

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  5. Wow it looks awesome! You did such a great job and I am sure it will be treasured and loved through the years! Congrats! Merry Christmas!!

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment. I really enjoyed this project. Hoping it will encourage me to take the sewing machine out more often.

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  6. This is just beautiful. I know I commented on Face Book - but reading your post again on your blog and have to say, it is just perfect

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment. I did see your comment on Facebook, it didn't show up in my feed. I'm so happy you comment ed here as well though, thanks so much!!

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  7. Congrats on the great finish.

    Linda

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment. There are a number of SamSarah designs I want to stitch, they are all super cute!

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment. I'm pretty happy with how my colour choices turned out in this project as I wasn't completely sure how they would go together.

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  9. Wow! It looks great! Perfect proof that to have an excellent finish you really have to take your time and not rush things :)

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    1. Thanks so much for your amazing comment. I tend to be a really impatient crafter and often cause myself way more problems because I don't do the prep properly. Thankfully over a number of disasters I have finally learned a lesson.

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  10. Oh wow your stocking is adorable! Beautifully finished.

    Merry Christmas.

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment Sally. I was really lucky that a local fabric shop was selling these Christmas fabric as I just love them. Hope you have a great Christmas.

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  11. That is super cute and what a great way to incorporate a stitched piece. Thanks for the link to the stocking tutorial. I've made dozens of stockings but never with the lining stitched down.

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment. To be honest I was a little unsure if I would be able to stitch the lining in place at all but thankfully I found this great tutorial and it's super easy to keep that lining in place.

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  12. Such a sweet finish! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas :D

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment. Hope you have a fantastic Christmas. Maybe even get in some stitching over the holidays.

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  13. So lovely. Love your material choice as well. Hope you had a good Christmas!

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment. I had a lovely Christmas thank you, I hope you enjoyed yours as well.

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  14. Wonderful work! Looks perfect! :D
    Happy 2017 to you!!!

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment. Lovely to see you back Nia. Happy New Year to you!

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment. I'm really happy with how this turned out, looking forward to doing some more!

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  16. Just caught up with all your posts since April! You've made some lovely progress and my fingers are crossed that you will finish Orient in 2017!! :)

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment and for reading all those posts! I am really hoping to finish Orient this year also!!

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Would love to read any comments you would like to leave. Thanks for brightening my day :)