Use contrasting colors for traditional stocking look
Dear Julia: Christmas will be here before we know it. I want to make new stockings for my three kids this year. Can you help me find a simple, traditional pattern? I have a new embroidery machine (which I love!), so I’d like a pattern that I can embroider their names on. — Sonja W.
Dear Sonja: I like to make my own stockings, too. I also make a coordinating tree skirt. I found a tutorial for a traditional stocking pattern on www. polkadotchair.com. Search for “wool Christmas stocking tutorial.”
The stocking has contrasting cuff, heel and toe patches, for a traditional look. You could use the same base fabric for each stocking and then choose a different contrasting color for each stocking for the cuffs, heels and toes. Then use the same color thread for the embroidered names as the color of the base fabric of the stocking. These will make sweet stockings for your kids.
Dear Julia: I need help on what to do with a long black coat that the cuffs are made in a black suede (a fabric finished with a nap to simulate suede). The coat was left on a closed-in back porch with windows and sun coming in, which faded half of one cuff of the sleeve. Do you have any suggestions? What to use on both sleeves to match and look right? Other than that, the coat is in great shape. — Sandra
Dear Sandra: If it’s just the cuff that’s faded and not the whole sleeve, it shouldn’t be too hard to remove both cuffs and replace them with a new fabric. I’d take the coat with you to a fabric store to find a black suede (or faux suede) that matches the fabric of the coat. If you can’t find a black that you like, it might be fun to use a contrasting color, like white or blue. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even replace the collar with this same contrasting color.
For constructing the cuffs, you’ll first need to remove the existing cuffs from the sleeves. Depending on how your coat is constructed, you might have to rip part of a seam on the lining (if there is one) to better access the seam where the cuffs are attached to the sleeves. Once the cuffs are removed, rip out any seams on the cuffs, iron the fabric pieces flat, and use them as your pattern. Pay careful attention as you go through the process of deconstructing the cuffs so that you can reconstruct them in the same way with the new fabric. It might even be a good idea to take pictures along the way so you can look back at them when sewing the new cuffs and reattaching them to the sleeves.
Good luck, Sandra!
Send questions to Julia Cameron, c/o King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or SewSimpleColumn@gmail.com.