Fabric 4 ways How to create a luxury Santa stocking, Christmas cracker, cushion and tablecloth out of velvet

A simple length of velvet-look fabric can be the starting point for an array of Christmas projects. Try your hand at one of these easy yet luxe-looking decorations

SANTA STOCKING

This simple project can be whipped up with a sewing machine in around 30 minutes and will set you back about $15. A nice velvetlook fabric will give your Christmas stocking a luxurious yet festive feel.

YOU’LL NEED: 50cm velvet-look fabric, tailor’s chalk, scissors, sewing machine and thread, ribbon for hanging and a decoration if desired. TO MAKE: Use an old Christmas stocking as a template or print one out from Pinterest. Place stocking or template on the fabric, draw around it with chalk (ours was about 45cm x 27cm; you can adjust the size to suit your requirements) and cut out. Turn template over, draw around it again and cut out. Pin the 2 pieces on top of each other, right sides together. Sew around the stocking, 5mm in from the edge, leaving the top open. Sew a loop of ribbon at the top corner for hanging and turn stocking right side out. Add a decoration if you wish – we attached a plastic star with craft glue but pom poms, fringing or bells would also work well.

CRACKER

Give your Christmas crackers a chic update with a velvet and ribbon makeover. This no-sew project is a quick and easy way to take your table setting to the next level.

YOU’LL NEED: A DIY cracker kit, a small gift, a 37cm x 21cm piece of velvet-look fabric, double-sided tape, 2 x 25cm ribbons.

TO MAKE: Assemble a cracker using a DIY kit (ours was from Spotlight) and place your gift inside. Wrap the fabric around the cracker and secure with double-sided tape. Tie a ribbon around each end to finish.

TRIANGULAR TREE CUSHION

This stylish ‘tree’ cushion looks great on a sofa or bed or under the tree. Festive yet subtle, the cushion takes just 30 minutes to whip up and would be perfect in a minimalist decor scheme.

YOU’LL NEED: Tailor’s chalk, 50cm velvet-look fabric, scissors, sewing machine and thread, stuffing, needle and a star decoration.

TO MAKE: Using chalk, mark out 2 triangles on the fabric – ours were 42cm on all sides. Cut out, place right sides together and sew along 2 sides, 5mm in from edge. For final side, start from each corner and sew about a third of the way along, leaving a gap in the middle (for stuffing). Turn cushion right way out and stuff to your liking. Hand-stitch the gap closed. Add a star decoration to the top (we glued ours on with craft glue).

yhgGalena fabric in mustard, $13.99 a metre, from Spotlight. BeautifulElement print, $49, from Simply Creative. Picture frame, $12, from Kmart. Jewel Noir candle, $29.99,from The Aromatherapy Co. Tealight, $7.99, from H&M Home.Meritt tall vase, $31.95, from Freedom. Marble hook, $39.99, from Shut The Front Door. Wall painted in Resene ‘Surrender’.Star decoration stylist’s own.

Grey linen (for tablecloth), $21.99 a metre, from Spotlight. Plate and bowl, $2 each, 16-piece black cutlery set, $19, marble inlay coasters, $6 each, starburst decoration (on marble stand), $6, all from Kmart. Grey wine glass, $12.99, tealight, $7.99, both from H&M Home.Other items stylist’s own.

yhgVesey marble and brass table lamp, $79.95, Noho marble table, $299, both from Freedom. Picture frame, $8, fromKmart. Downloadable Picasso dog print, $10.62, from Etsy. Home Republicking single linen duvet cover, $239.99, silver bamboo pillowcase, $69.99 a pair,Home Republic black stripe euro pillowcase, $32.99, and single fitted sheet, $69.99, all from Adairs. Glass tumbler, $5.99, from Shut The Front Door. Dog ornament and stardecoration stylist’s own.