I know it is only June and not many people are thinking about Christmas. There is one exception - crafters. If you like to create Christmas crafts to sell or give as gifts, June and July are the months you will have to get started.
One of my favorite Christmas crafts to create are felt stockings. I tried to make them without a kit, but I was not successful. You can buy kits at craft stores, some department stores, online craft catalogs and even on Ebay. The kits can range from $10.00-$20.00 depending on how much detail the stocking has. You can find some great deals if you buy them right after Christmas. When you buy a kit to make the stockings, just about everything you need is included - pre-printed felt pieces, embroidery floss, sequins and beads. The only other items you need are a great pair of scissors and polyester fiberfill.
One of the most important things to remember when completing one of the kits is to follow the directions carefully. Cut the floss into the lengths suggested in the directions to prevent the floss from getting tangled. Only cut the felt pieces as you need them. Cutting the pieces ahead of time can become confusing when you start to applique the stocking. To give the stocking a 3-D effect, certain areas are stuffed with polyester fiberfill. Don't over stuff the area - it could cause the stitches to pop.
The kits come in many different Christmas themes - religious, stockings for kids, and even pets. You can purchase kits for stockings that light up or play music. You can personalize the stocking if you wish. The kit comes with a sheet of the alphabet that you can copy onto tracing paper and use to embroider the name on the stocking. One caution - - you must really love to sew by hand because there is a lot of sewing.
One of my favorite Christmas crafts to create are felt stockings. I tried to make them without a kit, but I was not successful. You can buy kits at craft stores, some department stores, online craft catalogs and even on Ebay. The kits can range from $10.00-$20.00 depending on how much detail the stocking has. You can find some great deals if you buy them right after Christmas. When you buy a kit to make the stockings, just about everything you need is included - pre-printed felt pieces, embroidery floss, sequins and beads. The only other items you need are a great pair of scissors and polyester fiberfill.
One of the most important things to remember when completing one of the kits is to follow the directions carefully. Cut the floss into the lengths suggested in the directions to prevent the floss from getting tangled. Only cut the felt pieces as you need them. Cutting the pieces ahead of time can become confusing when you start to applique the stocking. To give the stocking a 3-D effect, certain areas are stuffed with polyester fiberfill. Don't over stuff the area - it could cause the stitches to pop.
The kits come in many different Christmas themes - religious, stockings for kids, and even pets. You can purchase kits for stockings that light up or play music. You can personalize the stocking if you wish. The kit comes with a sheet of the alphabet that you can copy onto tracing paper and use to embroider the name on the stocking. One caution - - you must really love to sew by hand because there is a lot of sewing.
If you would like to purchase a completed stocking, check out my Bonanzle widget. I have one for sale now and will be adding more as the summer goes on.
1 comment:
I love to craft and I know that you have to start way ahead for Christmas and fall in general.
Anne
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