Out of the Parc Designs is back with this week with a special issue on Christmas stockings. Christmas stockings are a special tradition in my family. My sisters and I each had our own special stocking to hang for Christmas. While some traditional crafts have come Christmas stockings have remained a favorite among fiber artists. Today I was looking through a McCall's Needlework and Crafts magazine printed in 1977. I was amazed at the variation in Christmas stocking patterns! From Stockings made with felt to those sewn from recycled fabrics (what we call upcycling now). Photos below. (McCall's Needlework and Crafts, Christmas Make It issue 1977.) Basically anyone who has the want to, these days, can make a Christmas stocking! Very cool. Upcycling/recycling is still such a cool way to use up materials, but it is also a meaningful way include a favorite yarn, shirt, sweater or blanket. (Maybe something special from a loved one?) The sewing talent skipped a generation in my family. My daughter is an amazing self-taught seamstress. She's taught me a little about sewing fabrics ect. Upcycling is one of my daughter's favorite things to do :)
Let us look at some simple, fairly quick upcycling ideas.
For knitters and crocheters Christmas Stockings have long been a treasured gift. I really love making the Christmas stocking because it means I'm giving something that will be used for generations to come (I hope) Stockings can be made from just about any yarn and even leftover yarn balls. Christmas stockings can be a good gift to charities for foster children or churches. I'm going to discipline myself to just a few basic, free patterns that can be embellished at will. (we do love to embellish)
Christmas stockings can also be made on a loom. There are several styles of round loom to choose from. I would recommend that you investigate www.loomahat.com/ for product reviews on looms and tools. As a bonus there are many patterns and how to videos on YouTube for making your own loomed Christmas stocking! If you don't sew, knit, crochet, or loom try these fantastic no-sew ideas at Fleece Fun! There's a printable pattern and ideas for embellishment. A photo tutorial so you can't go wrong makes this a great idea even for those of us who do knit, crochet or sew! Maybe it's a little late for SOME of these ideas this year but next year there is plenty of time to make a Christmas stocking for a loved one or to gift to a charitable cause.
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Every year, a craft fair benefiting our local soup kitchen is held at Davis Elementary. Vendors come from all over the area to market their wares to the patrons. My brother and I are also there, camped out and selling our various items. I can’t wait to show off what I’ve made! First off, I want to give a shout out to Amy Smart at Diary of a Quilter for her easy Fat Quarter tote pattern and Cats on the Homestead for her drawstring backpack pattern. These two patterns make up a good deal of my inventory, using cute patterned fabric for the outer layer. My favorites are usually character patterns. This time, I’ve got My Little Pony, Disney, Avengers, Batman, Doctor Who, and more. These are usually big sellers at all my events. On the used toy front, I have a variety of vintage and modern My Little Ponies for sale. I have an original Rainbow Dash that I bought specifically because I’ve been asked on several occasions “Do you have Rainbow Dash?” Yes, I do, but I only have one! My Little Ponies have been my biggest sellers so far, and I’m super happy to see people enjoying these old treasures. On the more practical side, I will have a selection of housewares and warm headbands for all ages made by myself and my mother. Special at this sale will be a hot cocoa set with coasters and a set of salad spoons, perfect for a newlywed gift, first apartment, college student (Just add ramen!), and other special occasions. I hope you can all come and check it out! It’s a great sale, with lots of great people who come to support our local businesses. Malone comes together to make it work, and I’m so proud to be a part of the effort. |
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