Welcome to the second ‘Night Before Christmas Stocking’ Sew Along and thanks for being here! Back by popular demand, I am once again hosting a sew along event for this cute Christmas stocking with sweet little felt mouse in the pocket. This blog post will tell you everything you need to know.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to English paper piece, how to do basic patchwork and quilting, and how to sew with felt, then this pattern covers it all. And the sew along will bring you tips and tricks along the way, to help you achieve results you are thrilled with. I’d really love it if you could join us.

Who?

So who’s joining me for the sew along? Everyone is welcome. You’ll just need to head over HERE to sign up for the weekly emails. Sew along, make new friends and be in the running to win weekly prizes too.

What?

We’re sewing the ‘Night Before Christmas Stocking’. You’ll learn how to create a hexagon panel using the glue-basted English paper piecing method. Detailed instructions are included to sew the stocking with a quilted outer, front pocket, full lining, bound top, and hanging loop. It also details how to hand stitch that adorable little felt mouse! And if you haven’t tried anything like it before, it’s all easier than you think.

You might be an experienced maker, but love joining in with others. So I’m welcoming makers of all levels. I’ll be showing you how to sew the stocking using the methods I describe in the pattern. But that doesn’t mean you can’t go and change things up a bit and put your own spin on it. I can’t wait to see your creativity and the different way you approach this project!

When?

The Sew Along will run over four weeks and each Monday morning a new email will outline that week’s focus. I’ll also be sharing information, tips and videos on Instagram too.

WEEK 1 – 20th July Let’s get started by gathering supplies like fabric, felt and English paper piecing tools. You’ll also need the pattern. We’ll talk about fabric inspiration and more. It’s also a great time to start basting those hexagons!

WEEK 2 – 27th July It’s time to start sewing. We’ll piece together the front English paper pieced panel, while we share tips, tools and techniques.

WEEK 3 – 3rd August We’ll assemble the stocking this week, talking about quilting, patchwork, binding and more.

WEEK4 – 10th August This week is all about felt! Let’s stitch our little mouse using easy tips and tricks for sewing success.

17th August We wrap up the Sew Along, and for the grand finale I might just have a special prize pack to share!

What About Prizes?

Joining a sew along shouldn’t be all about the prizes you can win, however I do love the idea of being able to offer a nice little incentive and introduce you to some new pattern designers and businesses at the same time. Due to the current situation with Covid 19 and the difficulties with international postage, I have decided to offer digital download (or PDF pattern) prizes only for this sew along. Thank you for understanding!

For each of the four weeks in the sew along, there will be a PDF or instant download pattern pack up for grabs with a mix of three different patterns from Australian quilt pattern designers.

I would LOVE to thank the following businesses for supporting this sew along! Please visit their stores and show them your support.

Week 1 Prize Pack

Sarah from Piccolo Studio

Carolyn from Free Bird Quilting

Kristy from Quiet Play Designs

Week 2 Prize Pack

Sharon from Lilabelle Lane Creations

Hope from Hope’s Quilt Designs

Judith from Quilting Jays

Week 3 Prize Pack

Alyce from Blossom Heart Quilts

Emma from Emma Jean Jansen

Nicola from Quilt Master Patterns

Week 4 Prize Pack

Kirsty from Bonjour Quilts

Anne from Said With Love

Make Modern Magazine

To be eligible to win prizes, you must share a photo of your progress on Instagram from your public account and use the hashtag #NightBeforeChristmasStockingSAL on your post. Alternatively, you may email me your entry sharing a progress pic and giving me a little bit of information on where you’re up to.

Each Monday I will select the winning maker and announce them in the newsletter for weeks 2, 3, 4 and the wrap up email at the end. The terms and conditions for each week’s prize will appear on that week’s email.

Where?

Check your inbox each Monday from the 20th July. I’ll also be sure to share my favourite tips on Facebook. But most of the action will be happening over on Instagram. Be sure to follow along.

Why?

The ‘Why’ might be an obvious thing – at the end of the sew along, you’ll have a beautiful stocking that you can gift to a friend or loved one (or keep just for yourself). But I’d love to chat about the not so obvious benefits of joining in too.

I don’t know a lot of people who sew. So being able to chat with other people about sewing (even if it is online) is so amazing to me. I love being part of a community of like minded people who understand why I can take so long to agonise over my fabric selection or why I struggle choosing just the right trim for a project!

I love taking time to sit and stitch. We’re hearing more and more about the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. For me, sewing is a form of that. And anything that allows me time to sit and sew is soothing for the soul. I hope it is for you too.

Useful Details!

This version of my stocking was made using the Tilda Old Rose collection and the wool felt comes from My Felt Lady. I think the next one might be in Liberty?

Stockists

You can find stockists of the paper pattern (that comes with the 1.5″ hexagon papers already included) HERE. Pay a visit to these Aussie shops for a copy of the paper pattern; My Felt Lady (who also has a beautiful pink Liberty kit available), The Fabric Pixie, and Fabric Garden.

SHOP OWNERS! Order the paper patterns for your shop (which include the EPP papers) via my distributor HERE. If you’re stocking this pattern or have great supplies for this project, be sure to contact me so I can let everyone know!

Helpful Tutorials

Would you like to know more about English Paper Piecing or EPP? I use the glue basting method and share all my tips on this beginner’s blog post.

Do you sew with wool felt? It’s addictive! Here’s some Tips for Working with Felt. You might also like to know how I cut out wool felt and how I transfer my embroidery details to felt. In fact, let’s make it easy. Here’s the whole FELT Category!

Hope to see you soon!

If you have any questions about the sew along, please get in touch. Otherwise, be sure you’re on the newsletter list, grab the pattern and I’ll see you in your inbox. I can’t wait!

Happy stitching, Lauren x