How To Add A Simple Stocking Cuff
Sometimes I like to add a cuff to my stocking. A cuff can add a nice area for embroidery to personalize your stocking, or perhaps Clare's felt stars! Or perhaps you would like to hang pom-poms or fringe from the bottom edge of a cuff.
Here is a quick tutorial for adding a simple cuff to your stocking.
To begin, measure the top edge of your unfinished stocking. Measure it before you have sewn the front and back together.
Next you need to decide on the length of your cuff. For this stocking, I chose to have a 4" cuff. So I cut my cuff fabric 4.5" long. You need to cut it as wide as your measurement above. AND you will need 4 cuts. So I cut 4 cuff fabrics 9" (width of the top of my stocking) by 4.5" long.
Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew the short ends of two cuff pieces (right sides together). Set aside. Sew the short ends of the other two cuff pieces (right sides together).
Turn one sewn cuff right side out.
Place one cuff inside the other with right sides facing. Match the side seams and pin.Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, stitch all around one raw edge of the cuff.
Open the cuff ring and smooth out the seam, fold so the wrong sides are facing. Give the cuff ring a press all the way around.
Place the cuff ring inside the finished stocking.The 'lining' of the cuff should face the lining of the stocking. I have chosen to use the same fabric for my cuff lining and exterior. If you choose a different fabric for the lining or a directional fabric, you will want to take care to be sure everything is positioned correctly.
With the raw edge of the cuff lined up with the raw edge of the stocking, and the seams matched, stitch all around the top of the stocking using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Once stitched, fold the cuff over to the front of the stocking! Add embroidery or perhaps some pom-poms!
**NOTE** If you are adding a cuff...sew the stocking and lining separately and tuck the lining into the stocking. Smooth and match seams and raw edges at the top. You may want to add a basting stitch at the top close to the raw edge. The cuff will hide the raw edge at the top of the stocking.