Upcycled Christmas Stockings from Curtains

Last updated: July 24th, 2021

Do you hang your stockings for Santa to fill on Christmas Eve, or does Saint Nick bring goodies on December 5? When I was young, we always put ours out on December 24, and I’ve continued the tradition with my own children. It doesn’t matter when you expect the jolly old fellow to visit—be sure you have stockings big enough to fill with all your christmas gifts!

I love to repurpose items I find at Goodwill. This year, I looked for curtains to turn into new Christmas stockings.

This brocade stocking is so easy a beginning sewer can whip up several in no time.

If your decorating style is more formal, look for a valance in a traditional, elegant brocade fabric. I liked this one because it has gold cord at the edge.

Trace a basic sock pattern onto medium-weight interfacing (you can find it at a fabric store). Interfacing will hold its shape better than paper and you can pin through it. My overall stocking measures approx. 20 by 15 in. There’s no right or wrong size. Don’t forget to add ¼ in. seam allowance.

I took advantage of the gold cord hem by making it the top edge of my stocking. Each sock takes two pieces. When you cut out the second piece, be sure to turn over your pattern! The second sock will be the mirror image of the first.

With the right sides together, sew all the way around, leaving the top (where the gold cord is) open. Clip the curves, Turn right side out and press.

Add a ribbon loop hanger to one corner. I think it’s easier and faster to attach it by hand.

I found a couple of tassels that matched in my box of tricks. As a crafter and DIY-er, I never throw anything away! You never know when something will come in handy.

A Country Stocking From Curtains

This charming country-style stocking has more details and requires advanced sewing skills.

The inspiration for this sock came from the pretty white eyelet café curtain I found. Since it’s a “see-through” fabric, I needed a lining and chose to upcycle a red, cotton table cloth.

Cut out two stockings from the eyelet and two from the red fabric. I reused the same pattern as the brocade stocking.

This is the tricky part. The finished stocking has its eyelet on the outside with red lining on the inside. Lay the eyelet pieces with right sides together. Sandwich them between the two red socks. Sew all the way around, leaving the top open. Clip the curves. Turn right side out and press.

Because this curtain had a ruffled hem, I cut off a section to sew to the open top of the stocking.

This part is even trickier! Take your time and you can do it.

Pin the back side of the ruffle to the inside of the lining. You will be sewing through three layers: the outside of the stocking (eyelet) will be on the bottom, the lining will be in the middle and the ruffle will be on top. Be sure to pin everything in place before you sew.

After you’ve sewn the ruffle to the sock, sew the ends together.

The final tricky part: fold down the ruffle over the raw edge and sew a top-stitch a quarter inch from the top. You’ll end up with a finished opening with the ruffle decorating the top edge and the raw seams will be hidden!

Ta-da! All done.  The secret is to pin everything before you sew to make sure everything lines up as it should.

Add a red ribbon to the corner and hang your new family heirloom on your mantle. Santa or St. Nick will have no trouble filling these charming stockings. Of course, I’m assuming you’ve been good all year!

Merri Cvetan writes on interior décor and DIY projects, including upcycling ideas, for Home Depot. Merri started her interior design career when she bought the ultimate “fixer-upper,” an 1890s farmhouse. Since then, she has engaged in a wide variety of work, including historic house museums and redecorating homes in her area. For Home Depot’s selection of new draperies and curtains, you can visit the company’s website.