DIY SPOOKY CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS

Whenever it comes to the holidays, I’m all about putting new spins on things. Instead of kelly green, let’s opt for emerald. Swap Crayola red for ruby. Cartoon snowflakes & creepy Santa prints? I’ll take metallics & faux fur ANY day.

But when we’re talking about infusing tradition with our own taste, there’s always room (& by room I mean a need) for some spookalicious action as well. Which is why last year as K & I pined over the classic struggle of how to decorate an apartment ((not to mention, with two devious kittens in the mix, too)), we hit a road block. 

UNTIL – the solution came…

Stockings! Specifically, made out of the spooktacularly festive fabric we recently saw at one of our fave local horror stores.

So from there, the creation began. Never had I thought about sewing stockings, but hey, it’s just a giant sock, right? How hard could it really be? And I have to say, it felt like they turned out pretttty freaking well.

So kiss the tired, ’80s mantles goodbye! And say hello to the creepy-cute holiday upgrade you never knew you needed…

// WHAT YOU NEED //

+ 1 sheet, tissue paper

+ 1/2 yard, spooky outer fabric

+ 1/2 yard, lining fabric (minky or a short-piled faux fur looks best IMO!)

+ A scrap of ribbon or other thick fabric (for the hanger)

+ A needle & heavy-duty thread

+ Puff paint pens (optional)

// STEPS //

++ Draw your main stocking shape onto a piece of tissue paper. I used the measurements below, but feel free to customize for whatever size you like/need!

++ Cut out your stocking pattern & fold the outer fabric in half such that the right-sides are facing IN; & the lining fabric such that the right-sides are facing OUT (a little confusing, but it’ll all make sense in the end). 

++ Pin the pattern onto your outer fabric & cut, so that you have two, identical stocking shapes. Repeat for the lining fabric.

++ Take your two pieces of outer fabric & stack them with the right-sides still facing IN. Then, take your two pieces of lining fabric (right-sides still facing OUT) & sandwich them around the outer fabrics. Pin the fabric stack together – which should look like it’s totally inside out.

++ Sew around the perimeter of the stocking using a zig-zag stitch, leaving about 1/4 inch of seam allowance. 

++ Flip the stocking right-side out (so the outer fabrics should now be on the outside with lining fabrics on the inside) & fold the top down to expose however much of the fuzzy fabric you’d like.

++ Cut & fold your ribbon/thick fabric into a sturdy loop, then stitch it onto the top corner of the stocking to create a hanger.

++ And finally, if you want to puff-paint names onto each for an extra personal touch, feel free! Or else just hang & admire a darkly festive job well done.

What are some of your favorite twists on tradition?

xxAA

THE EASIEST DIY CHOKERS EVER

Does anyone else have a weird relationship with jewelry?

I mean, it’s cool. It’s classic. Almost all of the older women in your life are super into it. But there’s still just something about it that’s always been a little tricky, if you ask me.

The cheap stuff these days isn’t really all that cheap. Finding the right piece can take a lifetime. AND when it comes to traveling, it’s hard not to worry that it will all meet an unfortunate demise of pulverization in your suitcase! Regardless if it’s the TSA’s “fault” or not…

But – there’s no denying it IS a killer way to elevate almost any outfit. So that’s what has always made me want to find a way to make it work.

Enter: TRIM. Something you may or may not be familiar with, although get ready, ‘cause it’s about to become your new best friend! Mainly due to the fact it’s inexpensive, customizable AND totally manageable for any DIYer – no matter how well you do (or don’t) know your way around a needle and thread.

Amazing, right?

Another perk is that by using trim, you can design the necklace however intricate or basic you please. Break it up with additional jump rings to create a cool look – or keep it super simple yet chic and edgy with the choker alone. But either way, you can throw it around without having to think t w i c e.

Seriously! Suitcase, gym bag, purse—it’s all NO match for this mighty accessorizing hack.

So let’s jump into it!

// WHAT YOU NEED //

+ A piece of trim

+ Curb chain

+ Needle & thread

+ Your choice of closure (I use a hook & eye)

// STEPS //

++ Measure the amount of trim you need based on your neck size, leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch extra on each end. Remember, you want it to fit like a choker without, you know, actually choking you.

++ Take one end of the trim, fold the extra section back and sew it down to create a neat, fray-free edge. If your trim has a lot of metal embellishment like mine, you’ll probably need to hand sew it; however, if you want to use a sewing machine to zig-zag stitch it instead, be my guest!

++ Repeat on the other end, then double check that the finished length still comfortably fits your neck (i.e. didn’t accidentally get shortened too much in the process).

++ Take your choice of closure and hand sew a piece to each end.

++ Figure out how you want to position the curb chain, then hand-sew each end of it onto the back of the trim (but not too close to the bottom edge or else you run the risk of it sagging).

++ Voila! Enjoy your super-cute, new favorite accessory. 

// PROTIPS //

++ Whenever hand sewing things like this, I almost always opt for button/craft or upholstery thread instead of regular all-purpose, because it has that nice extra dose of durability. 

++ I personally like to use hook & eyes for necklaces because they feel the most secure to me, but you can totally use whatever works best for you! Snaps, velcro – even a safety pin can do the trick if sewing REALLY isn’t your forte & you want to spare the band-aids. 

++ All in all, the most important thing is to keep measuring as you go, juuust to make sure it doesn’t end up being too small. If you want to be safe, always lean toward keeping the trim slightly longer than you need, since you can always stitch together a gathered section of it in the back to tighten the necklace at the very end. No one will ever see it – and your secret will always be safe with us.

Let us know how it turns out for you! 

xxAA