Ribbon Stockings

5-1/2 yards each of 7/8 inch wide metallic ribbons
in two coordinating patterns
12" x 16" piece of fusible interfacing
1/2 yard of gold fabric for backing and lining
matching thread
two packages of desired buttons

1. Lay the interfacing adhesive side up. To produce the vertical strips, cut twelve 16-inch strips of ribbon from the first color. From the second color, cut sixteen 16-inch strips for the horizontal ribbons.
2. Weave a rectangle using a basic weave technique (figure A). Fuse the ribbons to the interfacing.
3. Trace the stocking pattern (figure B) on the right side of woven ribbon rectangle, making sure that the stocking toe points to the right. Stitch along mark, then cut just outside of the stitching.
4. For the stocking back and lining, cut three stocking patterns from gold fabric - two with the toe to the left and one with the toe to the right.
5. With right sides together, pin the woven stocking front to the stocking back (figure C). Stitch along the sides and bottom in a 1/4-inch (six mm) seam. Stitch the lining together in the same manner. Clip the curves and turn the stocking right side out. Turn the raw edges under 1/4-inch on the upper edges of the stocking and lining.
6. Make a six-inch loop from the remaining ribbon, and pin it at the top edge of the stocking. Place the lining into the stocking and pin it in place around top edge. Stitch to secure it in place.
7. Attach four rows of various gold and metal buttons to each woven section to form the button cuff.

Basic Weave and Variation

Cut lengths of ribbon and fusible interfacing as instructed in the project above.

1. Place the fusible interfacing, fusible side up, on a "pin-able" work surface such as a purchased pinning board, ironing board, or fabric-covered cardboard. Draw the required dimensions on the interfacing. Place the first vertical length of ribbon (warp) on the interfacing, aligning the edge of the ribbon with the line on the interfacing. Butt the edges of remaining warp ribbons and pin at upper end of ribbons. Angle pins away from work to keep pins clear of iron when fusing.
2. Weave horizontal lengths of ribbons (weft) one over, one under vertical ribbons continuing across. When row is complete, push weft ribbon up to the top seam marking, to ensure that ribbon is straight and taut. Pin the ends in place.
3. Continue weaving weft ribbons until the project is complete. Every row should be pulled taut and straight, butting edges with the previous weft ribbon, before starting the next row.
4. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to fuse ribbons to the interfacing. Stitch along the outer edges of ribbons on all four sides to secure the ribbons in place. Stitching is especially important with metallic ribbons since they do not fuse well.

Ribbon-Pieced Stocking

Materials:

one yard each of 1-1/2-inch wide ribbons in four to six assorted Christmas and sheer patterns
two yards of 1-1/2-inch wide wire-edge ribbon for ruffle and bow
one yard of 1-1/2-inch wide ribbon for bow lining
one yard of 3/4-inch wide gold metallic ribbon for binding
nine inches of 5/8-inch wide wire-edge taffeta ribbon
12 pre-made small gold roses
1/2 yard of red satin fabric
1/2 yard of red velvet backing fabric
1/2 yard of lining fabric
1/2 yard of batting
3-1/2 yard of cording
three large bells
decorative metallic and sewing threads

1. Using the stocking pattern in figure B, and strip piecing directions, cut one stocking from red satin fabric, batting, and velvet. Make sure stocking toe in red satin fabric and batting both point to the left, and stocking toe in velvet points right. Cut two stockings from lining.
2. Draw a 45-degree angle line across the satin. Baste the batting to the wrong side of the satin.
3. Following the strip piecing instructions, stitch ribbons to satin (figure D). Embellish as desired with decorative stitches and thread. Cover the entire front of stocking with ribbons.
4. With right sides together, stitch stocking front to back. Trim seams and clip curves. Turn right side out. Press. Hand tack or glue cord to seamed edge.
5. With right sides together, stitch lining pieces. Insert lining into stocking. Baste upper edges of lining and stocking together.
6. To create ruffle, cut a one-yard strip of 1-1/2-inch wide wire-edge ribbon and seam ends together. Knot one end of wire while pulling other end, gathering ribbon to fit the upper edge of stocking. Stitch ruffle to stocking. Fold a nine-inch length of ribbon in half to form a loop. Attach behind ruffle at upper edge corner.
7. Cut 3/4-inch wide gold metallic ribbon in half. Stitch one strip of gold ribbon to each side of the stocking's upper edges, covering raw edges and ruffle seam.
8. With wrong sides together, fuse 1-1/2-inch wide bow and lining ribbons together. Hand stitch cord to both edges. Make a two-loop bow and knot. Tack bells in center and join bow to base of stocking loop.
9. Stitch or glue roses along center of ribbons as desired.

Cut ribbons in lengths as directed in individual projects above. Set zigzag or feather-stitch to a narrow width and a length long enough to catch both ribbon edges. Hold two ribbon lengths with their edges butted, and zigzag or featherstitch entire length of ribbons. Continue adding ribbons to outer edges in correct order until the required size is obtained. Treat the joined and sewn ribbons as fabric, and continue to follow the steps for the individual projects.

To Strip Piece on Fabric

Cut ribbons in lengths as directed in individual projects above. Mark a design line on fabric with a disappearing marker, drawing toward the center of project. Lay ribbon along the line and hold it in place with a fabric glue stick or basting stitch. Straight-stitch along both edges. Butt edges of next ribbon with edge of first ribbon and anchor with glue or basing before stitching along both edges. Continue working from center to edges. Trace pattern to be cut on ribbon-trimmed fabric and stitch on traced line. Cut just outside of the traced line, and continue to follow the steps for the individual projects.