Week 3

It’s Week 3 of the Night Before Christmas Stocking Sew Along! We’ve been working together to baste the hexagons for the Christmas stocking pattern and now we’re focussing on putting the stocking together.

If you’re new to the sew along, head to the main post to find out all the details. Then check out the posts for Week 1 and Week 2. I shared short videos on Instagram about cutting fabric hexagons, basting hexagons using the glue basting method, working on the layout of your hexies for your stocking front, how I stitch hexagons together, how the finished EPP panel looks, and how I remove glue basted EPP papers.

It’s been terrific to keep up with your work when you’re posting on Instagram with the #NightBeforeChristmasStockingSAL hashtag. I’ve been so thrilled to see your stitching! And it means a lot to me that you’re happy to join in at this busy time of year!

WEEK 3 of the Sew Along runs from the 2nd – 8th December. We’ll assemble the stocking this week, talking about quilting, patchwork, binding and more.

Quilting the Front Panel

After basting the hexagons and securing the fleece to the wrong side of the hexie panel, it’s time for quilting. My pattern gives you instructions for diagonal cross hatched machine quilting.

However, you can choose to quilt the panel however you wish. A lot of sew along participants have preferred to diagonally quilt by following the hexagon shape lines and this look so effective too.

One of my pattern testers, Gwawr from Patchwork and Me, chose to hand quilt the front and the back of the stocking and the result is brilliant!

For my Christmas version, I might try some hand quilting too. Whichever method you choose, it’s important to think about what effect you are trying to achieve. The simple machine quilting on my Old Rose stocking holds the fleece to the hexie panel but because I used a light coloured neutral thread, the stitching isn’t a feature. This means the focus remains on the fabrics.

Gwawr’s use of black embroidery floss for her hand quilting means that the stitching really stands out! And for the front panel, she’s highlighting the individual hexagons too, which creates a lovely effect!

Adding a Pocket

One of the things that I didn’t include in the pattern, but am keen to try, is to embellish the pocket. You can follow the instructions in the pattern to make a plain pocket. However you could also choose to add some embroidery like a picture or a name, or an appliqué to the front. You’ll need to add these details before you even sew the pocket together. Just be sure to use some interfacing behind the fabric that will become the front of the pocket, so that the embroidery stitching doesn’t show through from the back.

Babsgolson on Instagram embroidered her grandkids’ names. Such a cute idea, right?

Making the Back Panel

My original stocking was created from 1/4m strips of the Tilda Old Rose collection. So I had to piece my stocking back.

Likewise, for my next version, the Christmas fabric I used is only 5″ squares. So I’ll need to patchwork the back panel to the size specified in the pattern (or at least large enough to accomodate the flipped pattern template). If you choose this method (instead of a single fabric piece for the back) be sure to press your seams open so they are flat. Or press towards the darker fabrics so they can’t be seen behind the lighter ones.

Putting the Stocking Together

Once the front and back panels are completed and cut out as per the instructions in the pattern, it’s time to put everything together.

Here’s the second completed version of my stocking. This is so bright and cheery, compared to the original! I can’t wait to see your version.

Week 3 Prize

The team at Make Modern are sponsoring our week three prize with a 6 month subscription to their wonderful modern quilting magazine. Thanks to all the team for their generosity and support!

“Make Modern is a digital modern quilt magazine produced by a small team of passionate modern quilters in Australia, in collaboration with a huge team of talented quilt designers from all over the globe who contribute patterns and articles to each issue.” I have also contributed to Make Modern in the past, with my On Point Pouch and Stella Cushion.

If you’d like to be eligible to win the Week 3 prize, you’ll need to share a photo of your completed stocking (without the felt mouse; that’s next week!). Post the photo on your public instagram account and use the hashtag #NightBeforeChristmasStockingSAL so I can find your entry. Please consider following Make Modern Magazine to show your support. If you’re not on Instagram, never fear. You can email me your progress too. Use the CONTACT form, or send me a message at hello (at) mollyandmama.com.au. I’ll also be keeping you updated on Facebook, but you won’t be able to enter to win the prize there, sorry.

On Monday the 9th December, I will select one weekly winner and notify you by personal message, or email. If you are the selected winner, I’ll need your email address to give to Make Modern so that you can receive your prize. I may also share your winning photo. By entering via Instagram, you are also giving me permission to share your instagram handle (if applicable) and your first name on the Molly and Mama social media platforms.

The competition is open to all participants over the age of 18 who submit a photographic entry via Instagram or email. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram or Facebook.

EDITED TO ADD: Congratulations to Cari from @muddle_and_grace on Instagram for being selected as this week’s winner!

Happy sewing this week, and I look forward to seeing your progress, Lauren x

Week 3 – Stocking Sew Along