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Monday 17 December 2018

A Little Christmas Whimsy

For the December Island Batik Ambassador challenge, we were tasked with creating anything "wonky" or "whimsical", in any size.  What fun!!
As part of the Island Batik Ambassador program, we are each generously sent product a couple of times a year with which to work - fabric, thread, and batting. The second Island Batik box sent this year included an intriguing collection of checked fabrics, which were perfect for what I had in mind for this challenge. I didn't exactly follow a pattern...but Googled "elf stockings" and found images of several that I liked.  This link should get you started, but you may want to change things up a bit as you go.  I had three colours of checked fabric...and of course, I started with the red. My plan was to place the chequered squares on point along the bias of the fabric, for more of a jester look.
I traced out my pattern and added a straight line down the centre to make sure of exact placement.
I folded the pattern in half so I could see the diamonds underneath and ran the line down the centre point of each.
It's cute already!
Working with batiks is so great as you don't have to worry about the right and wrong side of the fabric, and thus cut two fronts or two backs.  Just turn one piece over and you're good to go!
Although the pattern didn't call for batting, the quilter in me needed to add a bit of substance, and Hobbs Thermore was perfect - it added structure without bulk. (Locally, it's available at Mrs Pugsley's Emporium.) The batting was basted to both the stocking front and back, and the pieces sewn right sides together.  The pattern didn't call for a lining either, but I added one, just to give a nice finish, as these stockings will be used as gift bags for special friends.
For the top cuff, I opted for medium weight iron-on interfacing to add a bit of body.
I chose a "Grinch green" for the cuff from the Island Batik Blenders. A sleeve board comes in so handy when pressing small pieces.
Here's my first finished stocking, with a bell on the toe and pompoms on the cuff points. (It's hanging on my grandparent's old radio, from the 1940's :)).
My next two stockings are ready to cut; the purple one will have a plain white cuff  with the recipient's name hand embroidered.  To do this, I will use Aurifloss in pink and grey. The pompom colour is as yet undecided, but if I can't find anything suitable, the points may just get adorned with bells, like the toes.

I love this blue and can't wait to see it finished!
And of course, the fun of a stocking is filling it with all kinds of goodies!
Thank you to Island Batik, Hobbs Batting, and Aurifil for supplying the products used in these whimsical Christmas stockings. Please visit the other Island Batik Ambassadors at the links below to see what everyone has come up with for this month's challenge.  I am off to sew my stockings!

8 comments:

  1. These stockings are absolutely delightful! I love a little whimsy and the fabrics were perfect!

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  2. Perfect for the project, that elfin foot fits the wonky challenge so well.

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  3. What a fun idea! Love the old radio, reminds me of my grandparents' radio too. Scrumptious green fabric, you could make yourself a green frock to coordinate with the stocking.

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  4. These stickings are absolutely charming! And you’re right, the fabric is perfect for the whimsical “jester look.”

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  5. Thats *stockings not *stickings!! Lol

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