Our ‘Door Knob Gift‘ projects (read about here) have been a fun way to enjoy giving a sweet little surprise gift ~ whether it be for someone known or unknown ….simply something from your heart to theirs.
It has been especially fun to coordinate the ‘content’ and the ‘container’ for each person gifted…handmade and personalized too!
Today we’re creating the ‘container’ for a ‘content’…with a little classic style.
Creating Vintage Cloth Calendar Stockings
I can remember these very calendars hanging on the side of my Grandmothers refrigerator year after year. Their home is no longer in the family but I can picture all the details of this little corner….even the magnet, string and clip that held the calendar….right next to the yellow wall phone with the emergency number sticker on the receiver.
Vintage Cloth Calendars can be found thru an Ebay or Etsy Search.
When choosing a calendar for a specific person ~ watch for the calendar year or subject matter (like the farm on these stockings) that pertain to the person…..making it personal.
Let’s Create Vintage Cloth Calendar Stockings
First trace and transfer a stocking outline (adding 1/4 all around) to a piece of cardboard to use as a template and cut.
Place the stocking template over the cloth calendar design and trace around with a chalk pencil ~ keeping in mind the direction of the pattern and the important parts you want to preserve of the calendar. The stockings I created are both front and backside ~ a coordinated fabric may be used for the backside ~ saving more of the calendar.
Then cut the stocking out following the traced design. Remember you can only cut once.
Then pin the stocking (insides on the outside) and sew thru one long edge with a small seam allowance.
Then open the stocking and press the seam open.
Fit the twill tape across the inside-top, fold the fabric over the twill tape and press again, leaving enough seam allowance to sew.
Then sew the twill tape in place, making sure the twill tape is moveable to gather and tie.
Finish sewing the remaining portion of the stocking.
Prior to turning, place little cuts outside the seam allowance to make turning the stocking around a little easier ~ once turned right-side-out adjust the twill tape opening at the top, then press the stocking again.
Add a twill tape loop for hanging if needed with a small slip stitch to the inside backside.
Gather and Tie a Bow with the twill tape.
For additional detail with the calendar-scrap pieces, add a fold over cuff to the top of one stocking or two.
Then add the personal details with ribbons, buttons, twine, charms and more!
I added in the ‘Classic’ with a signature gold hang tag and a sweet gold bell hanging from a cute little safety pin at the top. Then I hand stamped the twill ribbon (read about stamps here) with ‘glad tidings we bring‘….classic style.
Fill your gift stockings with content that coordinate with the calendar design and recipient too ~ caramels, cow tails, toy animals and even the ‘vintage-like’ windmill cookies, ‘like my grandmother kept in her cookie jar’ ~ filled our vintage cloth calendar stockings.
Ready to be placed on any door knob……a sweet surprise!
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Give a gift from your heart and share the works of your hands with a ‘Door Knob Gift’! …..a simple way of sharing the Joy & Hope of Christmas. It is the sentiment, the joy, the love and the hope that you will bring to someone’s heart.
Door Knob Gifts ~ Cheerful Giving.
Enjoy.
~*~
My friend Tracy of ‘Sisters Stash Antiques‘ winced a little at this project….but I promised her the vintage cloth calendars will be just as loved made into stockings for gift giving.
