Share
Embellish our classic felt stocking with this monochromatic nutcracker! Our new Nutcracker Stocking pattern includes a color selection guide, nutcracker pattern and templates, stocking pattern and alphabet pattern for personalization. It also has three different designs to adorn the stocking toe!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 8 hours
Additional Supplies:
Sewing Machine
Ruler
Supplies listed are for the Red nutcracker, which will be demonstrated in this tutorial. Refer to Color Selection Guide in the Nutcracker Stocking Pattern if you want to make a nutcracker in a different color. Stocking Base and Tools are the same for all.
Directions:
1. Prepare Stocking Base as instructed in our Felt Stocking tutorial. At Step 4, proceed with these directions to embellish the stocking prior to assembly.
2. Print Nutcracker Pattern onto cardstock. Cut out and trace pattern pieces onto corresponding felt colors.
1: Plié
2: Begonia
3: Rhubarb
4: Cherry Red
5: Garnet
3. It is easiest to add embellishments to most felt pieces before securing them to the stocking. To embellish the Jacket, use the Jacket Template in the Nutcracker Pattern to mark the stitching and button placement with a Frixion pen.
4. Use one strand of Begonia thread to reverse chain stitch along lines. Glue felt Buttons at the end of each line of stitching, slightly overlapping start and finish.
5. To add sequins to felt, thread your needle with one strand of coordinating thread. Knot the end of the thread. Stitch on the sequins by bringing the thread up through the felt (1). Thread a sequin onto the needle. Bring the thread back down through the fabric (2). Repeat this pattern by bringing the needle up through the fabric a distance of half a sequin away from the last sequin (3). All of the sequins will overlap by half and cover up the stitching.
6. Sequins are added to the following pieces as follows (Sequins/Thread):
CROWN (Red/Cherry Red) - Begin at bottom left corner, across top and down to bottom right corner.
SLEEVES (Red/Cherry Red) - Start at inner shoulder and work out over shoulder and down about 3/4" to give impression of epaulette.
JACKET TRIM (Rose Quartz/Begonia) - Begin at top right corner, across to top left corner.
PANTS (Red/Cherry Red) - Measure and draw a line down center of the pants (lengthwise.) Stitch sequins along line.
Refer to the Nutcracker Pattern to see sequin placement for the toe designs. Select a sequin and thread combination to blend or contrast, per your preference.
Due to their small nature, sequins will be added to the EYEBROWS in a later step.
7. Arrange Nutcracker pieces on the stocking front. (Stocking toe can be pointed to left or right.) If you intend to add a name to the top of stocking, be sure to leave enough space. Beginning with the Jacket, draw a thin line of glue around felt piece and glue in place.
8. Move outward from the Jacket to the Sleeves, Jacket Trim, Pants and Shoes. Do not add glue to the very edges of these pieces, as there will be stitching around the perimeter, and dried glue is more difficult to stitch through.
9. Finish securing the body by gluing the Face, Hair, Crown Trim and Crown above the Jacket in the same manner. Let glue dry.
10. Decorate the toe with felt pieces from your chosen design in the same manner.
11. Once glue is dry, gently bend the stocking and see where touching pieces seperate. While bent, add a thin line of glue where the pieces touch and lay flat. Let glue dry.
12. Use one strand of Cherry Red thread to whip stitch around outer edge of Nutcracker. When you reach a section with sequins along the edge, bring needle up between the felt and sequins.
13. Use coordinating thread to whip stitch around toe design and add any necessary details.
14. Arrange facial features and glue into place. Only a small amount of glue is needed, but the Eyes and Nose will not have any additional sitching so make sure they are secure. Let glue dry.
15. Add sequins to the Eyebrows (Rose Quartz/Begonia). Stitch in opposite directions on each to create a mirror image.
16. Use one strand of Cherry Red thread to stitch three vertical lines within area of Mouth.
17. Whipstitch around rounded edges of Moustache with one strand of Begonia thread.
18. If you'd like to add a name to the stocking, cut out letters from the Alphabet Pattern included in the Nutcracker Stocking Pattern and stitch or glue in place.
After finishing the Nutcracker design, return to the Felt Stocking tutorial to finish assembly.
Try making a set of stockings in different colors! The pattern gives recommendations for making a green or blue nutcracker, as well as instructions for selecting your own colors. Benzie has a large enough wool felt selection to create an entire rainbow! Merry Crafting!
