How to Make An Applique Stocking

To get started on your applique Christmas stocking, begin by downloading the PDF pattern. Print it out on 8.5” x 11” paper.
Cut it out and follow the instructions on the pattern to tape it together.

This stocking pattern comes in two different sizes;
The larger pattern is roughly 21” tall x 11” wide
The smaller pattern is roughly 16” tall x 9” wide.

Lay the stocking pattern on top of your chosen fabric and use your preferred temporary marking method to trace around the pattern.

Some applique designs have been designed with the intention of going off the edge of the stocking. If that’s the case, be sure to leave enough fabric and stabilizer at the bottom of the design to properly hoop the design.

Use temporary spray adhesive on the wrong side of your fabric and smooth it in place over cutaway stabilizer.

A template, or printout, of a design is an excellent tool to help with placement. Print a template of the design using embroidery software.

We recommend Wilcom's Hatch software which comes in different levels depending on what you'd like to use the software for. Hatch Organizer works well to view your designs, print dielines and templates, change design colors, and create basic design layouts. (This is an affiliate link. We may earn commission on purchases made through this link.)

Use your preferred temporary marking method to lightly mark the horizontal and vertical axis or placement lines for the design.

Connect and extend both the vertical & horizontal placement lines using a ruler and temporary marking tool. To make hooping easier, be sure to extend the lines past the size of the hoop.

Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together. Make sure that everything is hooped tightly and there are no wrinkles or puckers in the fabric.

Set this aside for now as we will be working on preparing our applique pieces next.

When you download the design, you will find multiple files. Some are embroidery files, and others are dieline files marked with the letters “DL”. Dielines are used to cut the fabric to the correct shape and size. Open and print each dieline file using an embroidery software.

Spray the backside of applique fabric with temporary spray adhesive and smooth it onto cut away stabilizer.

Spray the backside of the printed dieline piece with temporary spray adhesive, and smooth it onto the right side of the fabric. 

Cut the dieline shape out of the adhered fabric and cut-away stabilizer. Then remove the paper dieline.

If there are multiple pieces of applique, repeat to cut them out. For best results, cut every piece out of both fabric and stabilizer.

Attach the hoop onto the machine, load the embroidery file and begin to embroider the design.

For some embroidery files, some embroidered details may sew first. Follow the color change sheet and stop after embroidering the "dieline" (or outlines stitch) for the applique piece. This dieline marks the area where the applique piece will be placed.

After the dieline has sewn, remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the design. Spray the wrong side of the first fabric piece with temporary spray adhesive. Place the first fabric piece inside the sewn dieline.

Place the hoop back onto the machine, and embroider the tackdown for the previously placed fabric piece. A tackdown holds the applique piece in place for the remainder of the design.

If your design has more than one applique piece, repeat to remove the hoop from the machine, spray the wrong side of the applique piece,place it inside the sewn dieline, and embroider the tackdown step.

Continue to follow the color change sheet until all embroidered details are completed.

After the embroidery finishes, remove the design from the hoop.

Turn the design over and carefully trim away the excess stabilizer from around the design.

If your design hangs off the edge of the previously traced pattern, use your paper pattern to redraw the outline where you will need to cut.

Follow the traced pattern and cut out the stocking shape.

To make the back piece, lay the embroidered front piece on top of the main fabric with right sides together. Trace the shape onto the fabric and cut it out.

Place the right sides together. Use either pins or sewing clips to temporarily hold the pieces together before sewing.

Use your machine to sew a ½” seam allowance around the sides and bottom of the stocking. Leave the top edge open.

Cut notches into the seam allowance around the curved edges. Use caution so that you do not cut through the seam.

Turn the fabric right side out and press the seams, using a pressing cloth.

Next, make the stocking lining. Follow the same steps as making the main stocking trace the PDF pattern, align the pieces together with right sides together, and pin in place.

Sew a ½” seam along the sides and bottom edges only and clip the seam allowance around the curved edges as you did for the main stocking.

Slip the outer shell of the stocking inside the inner lining. Align the top raw edges and side seams together and pin in place. 

Sew a ½” seam allowance around the top edge and leave about a 3” opening along the back side.

Turn the stocking right side out and tuck the lining neatly inside. Press the stocking with a pressing cloth.

If you would like, you can use a hand sewing needle and thread to hand sew the opening closed.

If you do not want to hand sew the opening closed, you can also secure it by topstitching around the top edge of the stocking.

Turn the top edge of the stocking over, showing the lining of the stocking. If you’re making the largest size of the stocking fold the cuff 3 ½”, for the smaller size of the stocking fold it 2 ½”. Then press to help the top cuff hold its shape.

To add a hanger, you will need something that is about 1/2in wide x 9in long. You can use ribbon, cord, bias tape, or make one out of fabric like we have here.

Use a hand sewing needle to sew the hanger to the backside of the stocking lining so it hangs nicely, showing your beautiful applique embroidery on the front.

This completes the applique Christmas Stocking! Use it to decorate your mantel or stitch out more to gift to loved ones!