The problem with being a child-bride who spent all her time reading rather than doing is that I'm so, so, so very behind. As I told you, I'm only now getting my own Christmas stockings together, decorating my kids' rooms, and putting the finishing touches on/finally starting our family traditions. (As you prepare your Epiphany celebrations, have a few brain cells to spare for Candlemas, which is soon.)
I have a vague idea that Nick and Natasha do have Christmas stockings (correct me if I'm wrong), and I know that Annie made her brother the Lt. and Rosie (and then Pippo) theirs — that girl is a crafting whiz, let me tell you. While I'm dithering over ancient projects, she's whipping up wedding quilts left and right, and doesn't let the excuse that she just had her 3rd baby stop her! (This is by way of announcing a new outlaw, Christopher Edward! And he's a darling!)
So I really thought that I had better put in a good showing this Christmas with stockings for the engaged ones.
Here's my thought process, in case you were wondering, and what took me so long in the first place.
I can't quilt or embroider or needlepoint or knit or otherwise implement any intensive crafting process to make stockings, because it is Christmas, when you have so many demands on your time, and besides, you just know that you will end up needing ten of them, and who has that kind of time for needlepoint? The thought is just too overwhelming.
I was also a little paralyzed by the worry that today's cute craft will be tomorrow's embarrassing relic.
But cutting fabric and embellishing it a little — that I can do. The key to longevity, I believe, is to use real fabric — wool, cotton, linen — and the key to do-ability is to aim for overall effect, not fussy details. I mean, if you want to embroider the Christmas stockings, go for it. I just know I don't have it in me.
And I worry about imposing my thoughts about what the tradition should look like on someone else. But, I bit the bullet and here is what Deirdre and Sukie got for Christmas this year:
As I looked around to see what I could make the stockings from that would be textured, more or less neutral, and seasonal, I remembered this toweling I bought at a yard sale a couple of years ago:
It's a nice length (I mean, several yards for next to nothing!) and every time I got a glimpse of it, I'd think of all the things I could do with it: table runner, chair cover, pillows, actually making a roller and using it for its original purpose of a tube of toweling (and I still have lots left, so maybe I could do that after all!) — so many thoughts!
But the natural color, the green — they called to me. It's easy to make a template of a nice-sized Christmas stocking with a piece of paper, quickly cut out (cotton muslin) lining and stocking, sew them together (a matter of minutes), and finish off with red rick-rack (joy! — except, I'll be honest, my machine did not like sewing that rick-rack on, no matter what I did to coax it) and a jingle bell.
The finishing touch is to press them well — the lovely thing about linen, especially old linen, is the way it takes a pressing.
Later we can think about how to label them. Maybe the girls themselves would like to indulge in a bit of embroidery?
Still plenty of time to join in on {phfr}! We'd love to see you!
Only in Louisiana! says
This is a really, cute idea and so do-able…is that a word? It is now! Anyway, I will be shopping for linen towels as I love this simplistic way to make stockings…or Christmas gift bags….
Lisa G. says
Oh, I like those, I like those! Great idea, and simple! I can't do anything fussy before Christmas, either.
salomeellen says
I've seen Christmas stockings “labeled” with decorated felt or fabric “gift tags”; as complex as needlepoint or embroidery or as simple as ball-point fabric paint. Maybe each stocking-holder could make one according to their own tastes and skills? The you just tie them to the hang loop.
Lori says
I think the wisdom of using “real” materials is right on. There is a timelessness about that that draws most people.
Mary says
I love the linen stockings. The rick-rack is the perfect touch.
This post made me think of Christmas 1979, when I was 22. I am the oldest of 9 children, all born within 9 years (no twins). In August of that year, we had a big fire in our house and lost all Christmas decor, including stockings. The house was badly damaged, so my parents moved. Lots of changes, but we all were grateful to be together.
Sometime that fall, I found a cute pattern for needlepointed stockings, bought 9, and got to work. My mother is a very skilled seamstress and knitter, but does not enjoy other needle crafts. I took to needlepoint and cross-stitch. I was a graduate student and completely over-estimated my ability to finish 9 stockings, especially because 4 or 5 of them were printed backwards. So by the time I got home, there was still a lot of needlepointing to do. In some ways, I am so glad that I did not finish: completing the stockings became a whole-family endeavor. All of my sisters, my mom and I needlepointed during every waking moment and we corralled any friend who walked through the door to help. And we finished them all! My mom sewed on backings and loops and the mantel was complete before Midnight Mass.
Sorry for the tome, your sweet post brought back a dear memory to me.
Suki says
Mary, that is such a sweet story! I love it.
justamouse says
Epiphany celebrations? Candlemas? what? Help?! I know they are coming, but I'm supposed to be preparing celebrations?
Love the stockings, and I totally understand the craft becoming an embarrassing relic idea. Like the thistle cone trees my mom spraypainted in the 70s…
_Leila says
Justamouse, thistle cone trees? You interest me strangely… 😉
Try re-spray-painting them! I bet they would be fabulous!
For Candlemas you just need candles and going to Mass with them. No celebration per se (although it is the feast of the Presentation, so it warrants extra ice cream at dessert, I'd say). Then you have your blessed candles for your OTHER celebrations!
Juliana B says
These are so cute! I love the minimalist, yet traditional vibe. Kinda reminds me of Scandinavian design or something. Want to make me some?? It is Christmas Eve for us Orthodox on the Old Calendar after all. 🙂
Ashley says
The first sentence of this post describes me oh so well. Always reading about doing and never actually doing anything myself. Anyway, these are so simple and lovely!
Elena says
Simply lovely! The natural fabrics are a magnet for me too. I'm sure they were very appreciative to get such a thoughtful and clever gift!
Hollace says
I made 3 stockings this year for the 3 new grandbabies in our family. I lined them with flannel so soft the babies could sleep in them! It was a joy to welcome them this way, as I'm sure yours were.
nt12many says
Leila,
You just don't know how you have encouraged me with your stocking-completion this year! My goal for 30 years has been to knit stockings for the family that match the one I grew up with. I tried (many many years ago) and got stuck on the foot of the stocking and gave up (I'm not much of a knitter). It has bothered me every single Christmas to see our mismatched conglomeration of stockings…but it was too late (I thought)…until I read your blog :-). There is hope yet! This may be the year! PLUS I have a daughter who is a knitting whiz! Perhaps it can become a shared endeavor!
I am also twittering partly because of you. Who knew it could be such fun?
blessings,
Jill Farris ” target=”_blank”>http://www.generationalwomanhood.wordpress.com
_Leila says
Jill, stick with me 🙂 There is so much hope! Now to pull off two weddings….
Sue Clarke says
The problem with being a child-bride who spent all her time reading rather than doing is that I'm so, so, so very behind
You don't know how good this sentence made me feel…I'm fifty and was also a child bride LOL, and am only just now discovering home making skills and strange arts like knitting and maybe even this year…sewing! And Christmas 2011 was my first year for starting Christmas family traditions, I figure better late than never and at least now I have the wonderful world of computer resources to give me some ideas.
Thank you so much for g