Now that we have a new little member of the family on the way, I realized that if I wanted all of our stockings to coordinate with my farmhouse decor and each other, I would need new stockings. Michael and I wanted to share how we created these one-of-a-kind rustic-style stockings using only things we had lying around the farmhouse. Buying seasonal decor is something I don’t feel comfortable about spending much money on, so I usually try to make most of it myself. Doing this also seems to add a certain warm homey touch to my christmas decorating. Here are  5 simple steps to creating your own rustic farmhouse style stockings:

1   Gather and choose supplies

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First, I gathered up all my little scraps of lace, burlap, beads, and various buttons. For the grain sack texture of the stocking body, I used an old painters drop cloth. I simply cut the shape of the stocking I desired leaving a bit extra around the edges to sew with. I also left a 4in. piece across the top which I folded down to create the flap for the names.

Then, placing the two stocking cutouts with the name flaps facing in towards each other, I hand stitched them together (You could also use a sewing machine or even hot glue to affix your pieces together). I hand sewed mine because my sewing machine is still packed in a moving box.

2   Assemble stocking body

If you are hand sewing your stocking like me, make sure to do your stitches close together. Drop cloth with its wonderful texture is very easily frayed and your stocking may have some holes if you’re not careful. But remember, this is a rustic-style stocking so the more imperfect the better. Relax.

Once you have finished sewing your front and back pieces together, you can turn your stocking right side out and admire your handy work. Make sure to get all your corners pulled out completely. I left my stocking wrinkled partly because I detest ironing, and partly because I think it adds to the rustic appeal.

3   Stocking template

Now that you have your first stocking complete, you can use it as a template for the rest of the stockings you need. Simply lay your finished stocking on your cloth and cut around it, leaving a little extra to stitch with as you did before. Don’t forget to add some way of hanging your stockings. I sewed a loop of the drop cloth in each of my stockings.

4   Decorate and personalize

Here comes the fun part: decorating and personalizing your stockings. Both my husband and I have art degrees so it is a bit unfair to promise that your stockings will look exactly like ours. To help you get some beautiful handwriting you can print out your names in your favorite font and use transfer paper to get them onto your flaps. They also sell some great lettering stencils at any craft store. I just happen to be blessed with a very talented calligrapher for a husband and I love to hand letter things as well. Tuck a bit of paper inside your stocking to prevent bleeding through. Then add bits of lace or buttons to decorate them.

5   Hang and enjoy

Because I kept the color pallet neutral these stockings would match any farmhouse style room. I think they turned out pretty good, especially since they cost me $0 to make.

Feel free to post any questions you may have in the comments section below and I will do my best to answer them.