It's a good time for Christmas in July and making some cute and easy projects with felt and embroidery! In fact, I have two free patterns that you can use different techniques with while making a stocking or an advent calendar.
Both of these projects start with stitchable bases, which means all you have to think about is adding embellishments. Depending on when you start these, you could take all the time you like with hand embroidery, you can take a bit more time and do felt applique, or you can make it super quick with felt and a bit of craft glue.
I'm starting with the Ho Ho Ho Stocking, which features a jolly Santa face. I made mine with felt and kept it super simple. The Santa face is actually the same one that's in my Kitschy Christmas felt ornament set, but it's larger for the stocking. Of course, if you want to make those ornaments, you can get the pattern in my Etsy shop.
The stocking and advent calendar I'm using here are both from Missouri Star Quilt Co., and were given to me as an MSQ Partner. I chose them because they are perfect for the kinds of things I design, and I thought you'd like them too! And if you use my affiliate link, it helps support what I do.
Here's what you'll need:
Missouri Star Blank Craft Base: Cotton/Canvas Stocking
Wool or wool blend felt
Freezer paper and pencil
Iron
Scissors
Embroidery floss
Needle
Craft glue
This pattern shows the design all together, which you can use as an embroidery pattern or as a placement guide. It also has the different elements as seperate pieces, which is what you'll need for working with felt. I'll be showing the felt version for the stocking.
Trace the patterns onto freezer paper and then iron the freezer paper onto your felt. I try to group the shapes by color.
Cut out the shapes that don't have any embroidery and then peel off the paper.
For the pieces that will have embroidery, use three strands of embroidery floss and stitch the markings through the paper. I used french knots for the eyes and scallop stitch for the nose and mouth.
On the ornament that this Santa is based on, I used matching skin-tone thread for the nose, but to make it simple here, I used black thread for everything.
Cut out the shapes and then carefully peel and tear away the freezer paper.
Arrange the shapes on the stocking cuff. If you're going to applique around them, use just a tiny bit of glue to hold them in place while you work. Or if you're skipping the stitching (as I did), use more glue so the pieces stay secure.
Simple and easy! If you are going to embroider or hand stitch the applique, it may help to unfold the cuff on the stocking and turn it inside out. But you can also just slide your hands under the cuff as you work.
When all the pieces are in place, your stocking is ready to hang by the chimney with care! Okay, so it may be a little early for that, but you get the idea.
This advent calendar is also from Missouri Star Quilt Co. (affiliate) and I love that it has 25 little pockets all ready for you. All you have to do is stitch!
You can do this one with embroidery (as shown...sort of!) or also with felt letters. The pattern features kawaii letters that are excited to see what's in each little pocket when you count down to Christmas. Of course, you could leave the faces off if you'd prefer. Choose super cute kawaii colors for the letters or go more traditional with red and green!
Like with the Ho Ho Ho pattern, there's a version with the letters overlapping like you see on the advent calendar and one with the letters seperate for working with felt.
Obviously this hanging calendar would be great for kids and families. You could put small candies or tiny trinket in the pockets, or even some little printed activity ideas, jokes, or other simple things like that. But what if you made a crafty advent calendar for yourself? Choose some goodies and small supplies like you see in mine and treat yourself!
Many thanks to Missouri Star Quilt Co. Start shopping MSQ (affiliate) and get a jump on Christmas!
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