Essential gear for your fight against the Empire!
Every year our family is inspired by The Battle of Hoth, which I mentioned in a post a few weeks ago. I wanted to make something unique as a giveaway prize for our shop, and thought this would be the perfect item. Unfortunately, due to timing this item will be part of 2021’s giveaways.
Material:
Getting a consistent supply of new material this year has been a challenge, but I actually had all the material for this project on-hand. The white, off-white, and tan colors are all utility type canvas, almost burlap weights. I bought them at Okadaya, a Japanese fabric store, when my family and I lived in Japan. This is a great fabric store if you are ever visiting Japan! These pieces were originally going to be part of a Hoth inspired Rebel flag, but I never ended up making it. I’m happy I can finally put it to use.
I also used some pre-quilted tan fabric, some dark grey twill (light-weight), and some licensed Star Wars fabric, all of these were purchased at Joann. The pre-quilted material is extremely warm and thick and can get caught up on a weaker sewing machine. The Star Wars fabric is adorable. I found some over the summer and bought about two yards of it. It’s been sold out Joann’s online for a while now, and I haven’t seen it again in stores. I have seen some on Etsy from time to time.
Notions/Accent Pieces:
The beige bias came from Okadaya. The felt snowflakes were purchased through Amazon.com and the mini-Rebel patches are of course from Ryloth Relics.
Assembly –
Step 1: You can make an easy pattern but tracing a stocking you have in your home. The front base is the solid white fabric, and I used the grey twill for the back. I then cut the stocking lining out of the Star Wars fabric and set all four pieces aside for later.
Step 2: Tactical Pouch: I didn’t take nearly enough photos of the construction processes, but this was the most time-consuming part of the stocking’s construction. I really should have measured things out, but honestly, I eyeballed most of the pieces and just started sewing them together. The bottom of the pouch and its liner came together pretty quickly with no issues. The top is another story entirely. I struggled with giving the top a lining, but I eventually pulled it off. I would not recommend this method if you are new to sewing. I’ll try and document better in the future.
Step 3: Cut the off-white fabric at an angle and sew the bias tape to each side. Attach this piece to the solid white base.
Step 4: Cut the pre-quilted fabric into a curved shape, zig-zagged stitch the edges, and then sew this piece over the last two fabric pieces from Step 3.
Step 5: Attach the tactical pouch at the bottom of the stocking. This part can be tricky. I used a zig-zag stick to make sure the pouch stays secure.
Step 6: Sew Velcro squares onto the felt snowflakes; use Gorilla glue to secure to stocking base. I didn’t want the stitching to show on the snowflakes, so I used Gorilla glue and let it dry overnight (although it dries pretty fast, I wanted to make sure they would stay in place). Felt can be a bit tricky, and hot glue never works well with felt (at least not for me). Sewing felt can also be challenging. Gorilla glue works great; I highly recommend it. Once the snowflakes dry, put the Rebel patches back on top.
Step 7: Placing right sides together, sew the front of the stocking to the back. Make sure your tactical pouch doesn’t bleed over to the seamline. I don’t usually make large seams but do sew them multiple times. I sewed the ones on this stocking twice and then again with a zig-zag stitch. The stocking section with the pre-quilted fabric is pretty thick by this point in the process, and I wanted to make sure the stitching stayed tight. After you finished sewing, turn the stocking right-side out.
Step 8: With right sides together, sew together the stocking lining. Place lining inside of the outer stocking, sew the two pieces together at the top. I stitched these pieces a few times and finished again with a zig-zag stitch.
Step 9: Decide how far you want the stocking cuff to fall, fold the fabric in half front top-to-bottom, and then from right to left. With right sides together, sew together side seam and then turn right side out. You should be left with a cuff the has a finished edge on both sides (the side facing the stocking and the side facing out). Next, sew together the top of the cuff with a zig-zag stitch. I sometimes mess this part up when making stockings so I tried to make an example below.
Step 10: Stocking hook – You can measure the length of the stocking hook from a stocking you have on hand. I wanted this piece to be durable and have a tactical feel, so I stitched the fabric several times using different stitch types. Fold the hook in half and stitch it together. Place the hook upside down on the inside of the stocking and sew it in place. It seems funny, but it will be correct when you add the cuff and turn it right side out.
Step 11: To attach the finished cuff to the base stocking, place the cuff inside the stocking, and sew the edges together. Once sewn, turn the cuff right-side-out, and you should now have a beautiful complete stocking!
Curiouser&Curiouser 