Stockings for Soldiers

This year, I've been lucky to participate in my work's effort for Stockings to Soldiers.  This effort consists of many individual and groups of sewers making simple Christmas stockings and sending them off where the stockings will be stuffed with goodies and then sent off to troops overseas.

This is the first year that I've participated, but I've already heard past stories of how much our troops enjoyed the holiday gifts. Being so far away from home during the holidays must be easier knowing that citizens back home are grateful and thinking of the dedication our soldiers commit each day.


The sewing of the stocking is very easy, and at the Operation Shoebox site, you can find PDF files for patterns. Yet, I think the one we use at my work is very easy to duplicate. The stocking requires two stocking cut-outs from holiday fabric and a sash for the top. Also, a ribbon about two inches in length will be attached during the final sewing.


The top of the right sides of stocking fabric (the sides where the "boot" curves out) first needs to be sewn together, about two inches in length. Then, the sash is folded in half and sewn on, cut edges along along the tops of the stockings.


The sash is folded up in preparation for stocking completion - see, that simple and quick!


Bring the right sides of the stocking together (with the sash up) and pin to keep the shapes in place with  another.  At the sash's cut side, pin the ribbon (as shown) so that the ribbon will be attached upon sewing completion.


 Then, sew around the entire pattern, back stitching at the beginning and end of sewing.



Cut slits in the curves of the stocking so that when you flip it inside-out the curves flip neatly. Iron it flat and make some more. For each stocking you make and send, there will be a very appreciate soldier stationed somewhere in our big world, knowing he or she is remembered during the holiday. How special is that? If you're interested in helping, too, you can email the organization at troops@operationshoebox.com .



14 comments:

  1. These are so cute and I'm sure they'll be appreciated by our wonderful servicepeople! I'm a new follower: found you on Sew Many Ways!

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  2. Oh, wow, what a fantastic idea! I love this! I am so glad I found your blog today...I really want to make some of these and may get my Bible Study group involved too. Would you please share this at my holiday party?

    http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2011/11/our-home-for-holidays-party.html

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  3. @ Amy,

    Would love to share, but, not sure how to do it...I'm new to buttons and links...

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  4. This is so wonderful and such a fabulous gift for our troops. You have such a good heart! I found you through the Kurtz Corner. So glad I did!!

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  5. I forgot to say I would love for you to link up to my weekly Strictly Homemade Tuesday linky party!! I am your newest follower!

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  6. I love these! I hope you'll stop by my fairly new party. The party is open until Friday here, http://www.coffeeandtheirkisses.com/2011/11/stitch-n-niche-saturday-6.html.

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  7. Great job for a great cause! I have got yards upon yards of Christmas fabric I will never use...wonder if there is a sewing group I could donate it to for this??

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  8. SUCH a good cause! I'm married to a solider that deploys and I need to sew for this exact reason!!! =)

    thanks love!

    xoxo
    jenn

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  9. Thank you for doing this :)

    Love for you to join my Linky Party - JAQS "Made by ME" at http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2011/11/made-by-me-6-linky-party-and-features.html

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  10. Thank you for loving our troops! This is awesome!

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  11. This is a great project to do for our troops! I have a little sewing and fabric craft linky party I'm starting tomorrow and I was wondering if you could be so kind to stop by and post it? Thanks so much!
    Sew Country Chick

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  12. What a great program-I'm looking it up to see how I can join.

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