String Pieced Christmas Stocking Tutorial and Template
Looking for a quick and easy stocking tutorial?
This one is a little oversized, pretty quick to whip up and is endlessly customizable! Watch the video of how I made mine to help get an understanding of the process.
First, you’ll need to print out the template. Grab the template here.
Make sure your printer settings are set to “print at 100%” and not fit to page. Each stocking requires one template printed on foundation paper piecing. Each stocking requires 4 pages. You will also need to print one copy of the template on cardstock to use to cut the stocking template backings. 
For the paper pieced stocking template you will need to glue the pieces together. Yes, glue. I like to use Elmer’s washable glue and heat set the pieces with my iron. The important reason we use glue to attach the papers and not tape is because we will be ironing the fabric on our template. To build your template, you will attach piece A1 to A2, placing glue on attachment tab and gluing, then the same for B1, B2 and so on until you have a complete stocking. The attachment order is listed on the A1 piece.
After you complete your stocking template on foundation paper piecing paper, you will need to gather your fabrics. You can use this template on cutter quilts, finished quilt tops or continue reading to learn how to create a 60 degree diagonal stocking using scraps, selvages or jelly roll (2 1/2”) strips.
To create a diagonal stocking like the one above, you will need the following per stocking:
1 stocking template on foundation papers
1 template on normal or cardstock paper
Stocking front: fabrics that vary in length 5”-22” and width 1”-3”.
Stocking backing: 1 FQ or 14” x 22” rectangle.
Batting- (1) 14” x 22” for the stocking front.
*optional batting - (1) 14” x 22” for stocking backing if you have decided to quilt it as well.
stocking liner : 1/2 yard of fabric folded along the selvage.
other basic supplies: sewing machine, thread, scissors, clips, pins, etc.
You will need the fabric to extend past the template about 2”. A good rule of thumb is to make sure it extends at least its own width, so a 2 1/2” strip, should extend 2 1/2” on each side.
To begin, start by gluing or pinning your first strip onto the template at the 60 degree line. To create a stocking that the toe points right, you will pin it to the correct side of the template. If you would like to create a left facing stocking you will need to flip the stocking over, so all of the printed lines and words are on the back or the wrong side. The 60 degree mark should still be visible because of the transparency of the foundation paper piecing paper. If you are having a hard time seeing it, trace the line using a pencil and your ruler. 
Face another strip on top of that one and sew it together using a 1/4” seam allowance and a stitch length below 2mm. I prefer 1.8 because it makes removing the foundation paper easy.
Press each seam after sewing. Continue adding pieces up and down until you have covered the template completely. At one point you may have to create a fold in the template so it’s easier to maneuver through the throat of the machine, you can see how I created a fold in this picture.
After you have completely covered the template, trim the fabric overages using your paper template that is sewn to the back as a guide carefully to reveal a beautiful stocking top. 
Now, gently remove the foundation paper from the stocking backing.
Now cut your stocking backing. Use your cardstock template facing opposite on top of your stocking front onto the right side of your fabric. Trace the template and cut out your stocking fabric. It is important it is opposite of your stocking front or else the right side won’t face out.
Now we baste and quilt our stockings. For a more structured stocking you can quilt both the stocking front and backing. Otherwise you can just quilt the stocking front.
Baste the stocking onto your batting using your preferred technique. I skipped backing with additional fabric and created a two layer sandwich using just my stocking top and batting because I will be creating a separate stocking liner.
Now to quilt it. I prefer to machine quilt the stockings by quilting a 1/4” away from each seam. You should quilt it based on your own preference. I like to quilt my stockings at 3.5 mm stitch length. 
After you finish quilting your stocking front, (and backing if you decided to, although as mentioned it’s not necessary) cut (2) liner fabrics. You will need one to face each way. An easy way to do this is to leave your fabric folded, so that you only have to cut once, but you create a mirror image.
Trim the excess batting off of your stocking front to match your template.
Now we will sew our stocking front to our stocking backing. Begin by facing the stockings right sides together. The backing fabric I used doesn't have a right/wrong side, so this may look deceiving, but if you are using a fabric that does have a right way, make sure the face of the stocking is facing the print side of the stocking backing. Starting at the top, sew around the stockings using a 1/2” seam allowance. Leave the top, (the place in a sock you would put your foot in) open. Remember to back stitch at the beginning and end. Press well.
You will repeat this with the stocking liner facing right sides together (prints facing eachother), EXCEPT, when you get to the bottom foot shape of the liner, you will leave a 2 1/2” gap. Do this by stopping and back stitching, then starting 2 1/2” forward from where you stopped. Remember to backstitch at the front when you begin again. Press well.
Lastly, create a hanging tab, cut a coordinating scrap to 3” wide by 3 1/2” long. To create the hanging tab, first fold the tab in half and press.
Unfold, then fold the exterior edges into the fold indentation you just created (it should be in the middle) and iron.
Now fold the newly created edges into each other and press.
Sew a topstitch line lengthwise on each edge 1/8” from the edge.
Fold the hanging tab in half and stitch the ends together at 1/4” to create a loop. Set aside.
Gather your stocking outside, stocking liner and hanging tab. Start by making sure your liner is inside out, so that the seam allowances is on the outside (wrong side out). Gather your stocking outside and place it inside of your liner, so that the right side is touching the right side (finished side) of your liner, like so.
Insert the tab between the stocking outside and liner so the raw edge is sandwiched between the raw edge of the liner and stocking outside. I like to pin the tab in place about an 1" below the raw edge.
Using clips or pins, line up your stocking seams and then pin to hold in place.
Sew all the way around the tops of the stockings using a 1/2” seam. Remove the clips and pins as you near them.
Now flip your stocking right side out by using the hole you left in the liner. Pull your stocking front through the hole until your stocking looks like this.
Press the stocking. Now hand sew or machine sew the hole closed.
Press well and stuff the liner into the stocking. Carefully press the top of the stocking and when you are happy with it, using a 1/4” seam allowance, topstitch the top. 
And of course lastly, fill the stocking with love and gift it to another.
Don't forget to tag me if you make a stocking @squats_and_runningstitches . I would love to see it! Also don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions at squatsandrunningstitches@gmail.com