[SilverSwanMama]

I have been looking for some cute needlepoint stockings for my three kids. You know the same style but different scenes on them. I am not finding what I want, and I am thinking if I get them now, and if we have more kids, then I won't find a similar one for any new ones that come along. Nit picky, I know.

So, I had this brainstorm of somehow using my scrapbook stuff to make personalized stockings with their photos and all my beautiful SG supplies. This may not be a new idea. Someone else may have done this. Maybe it's even been a tutorial somewhere here, but I haven't seen it.

Do you think there is a way to do this with printing on fabric? Any ideas on how I would do it? Is it too complicated an idea? I am not worried about doing it for this year, I'm just thinking that these would make very special heirloom stockings for my children if I could just figure out if it was possible and how to do it. I can sew a little bit, so I could sew the stockings using a pattern. But, how would I do the design in PS in the right size? How would I print it? You get the idea.

I'm looking for some help from you creative geniuses out there. I would like something that I could put their names at the top and then a scene for the rest of the stocking possibly including a photo. I could even add some fabric trim, but the majority of the "picture" would be digital supplies. I've never printed on fabric. I don't know what it looks like or how long it would hold up, etc. If other people are interested, maybe someone can work up a tutorial or something for next year?? I am just not experienced enough to figure it out on my own.

So, what do you think? Any ideas, suggestions, experiences you can share, or brainstorming with me would be very much appreciated.

[SandiC.]

You can buy printable fabric, or use a product (can't remember what its called) to prepare fabric for printing or use iron on transfers. I would think you'd need your pattern first, plan your photo placement, then make your documents to fit your space. I think it would involve a fair amount of trial and error, but i think its a great idea.

[B&K Mom]

It would be really fun to mix some printed sections with some fabric sections and add real buttons and embellis.

Just a thought.
Debbie

[ChristinaP]

Here's a thread from a while back where I asked about printing on fabric. I haven't tried it yet but I think it's a great idea!

[Smiles]

The usual largest size fabric to print on is 8.5x11.
I think it would be much easier (and less frustrating) to make the body of the stocking out of a Christmas fabric (maybe red and white stripes, or a small all-over print), and applique your printed fabric as accents.
The solution for making your own printable fabric is called Bubble Jet Set.
You could also make clear plastic "pockets" to slip photos into.
If you are not super confident of your sewing skills, I would start with the easiest project you can.
The stocking patterns I have call for an exterior and a lining layer.
Good luck with it, and let us know what you decide and how it goes.

[jeschaff]

I would first draw the shape of the stocking in whatever size you want. If you have a sock that's approximately the size you want, start with that and extend the top or the sides or whatever you need to do to make it the shape you want (hope that makes sense). Then I would scan this drawing so that you have a digitized version of it. When you begin to design the "LO", make your document the size of the paper that you have the "stocking" on. You should then be able to print this out on fabric if that's the way you want to go. If it is bigger than 8.5x11, you'll need to design in some seams.

Alternately, you could do as Gayle suggests and make the stocking out of Christmas fabric and then add your personal touches. In this case, you can still use the scanned stocking shape to figure out where and how big to make your embellishments.

HTH

[goodqueenbee]

Great idea... be sure you don't use copyrighted materials to make your copies, however...

Have fun!

[momentousangel]

Would love to know if you got the stockings figured out? Please do tell.

[Carrie Stephens]

I would love to see these if you get them all figured out! What a wonderful idea!!

[April Showers]

I must have missed this thread last year. You can use an inkjet printer with silk or cotton fabrics and then set the dye. I have seen printable sheets of both that you can buy. I get my silks for dye work from Jacquard Products. (Inkjet Silk) It is pretty thin for a stocking, but very durable. If I were making them, I would print on the silk, and then machine quilt the fabric with a lightweight batting to give it more body. I made my own stocking pattern years ago, so I would scan it and bring it into photoshop as a guide for where to put your digital designs. You might need to piece a few 8 1/2 x 11 sheets together. They will look better if you design them so the seams run diagonally on the stocking. Sounds like a really neat project!

[SilverSwanMama]

I totally forgot about this thread!! LOL! I have not figured out how to do it yet. Thanks for the tips, April. I don't know if I have the skills to pull this off. The sewing skills, that is. I can do the design no problem. It's the logistics that baffle me!

[tiza126]

Instead of making the entire stocking...you could just buy a cheap solid-color stocking that they sell at any store with Christmas decorations. Then, use your scrapping things to print the decorations and sew them on to the stocking. You could even fill some (presents, snowmen, etc) with batting to give them some a 3-D definition. If you did this, you would have to make the embellishment bigger than the finished size, to give room to stuff.

[ChristinaP]

You could print it on iron on transfer paper! Make sure you read ALL the directions! I missed the part about using the tissue paper over the image while you iron. I got sticky plastic all over my iron and ruined it. (I was using the dark transfer paper.)

[elibar]

You can also design the whole thing on an actual size file and have it printed on canvas. You can get it printed pretty reasonably at artscow. I just had a banner size project printed and the quality is quite good. Then you could just cut it out and sew it to a backing.

[SilverSwanMama]

elibar, on 08 November 2009 - 08:16 PM, said:

You can also design the whole thing on an actual size file and have it printed on canvas. You can get it printed pretty reasonably at artscow. I just had a banner size project printed and the quality is quite good. Then you could just cut it out and sew it to a backing.

That's a good idea.

[KellyChron]

Martha Stewart usually has a free stocking pattern on her website...

Also, think about using the SG custom shapes as templates for cutting out felt, then hand applique the cut outs on with embroidery floss.

[Kaitlin]

SilverSwanMama, on 08 November 2009 - 08:43 PM, said:

elibar, on 08 November 2009 - 08:16 PM, said:

You can also design the whole thing on an actual size file and have it printed on canvas. You can get it printed pretty reasonably at artscow. I just had a banner size project printed and the quality is quite good. Then you could just cut it out and sew it to a backing.

That's a good idea.

Ideas is good but the work is not easy enough!

[Molly3]

jeschaff, on 06 December 2008 - 07:05 PM, said:

I would first draw the shape of the stocking in whatever size you want. If you have a sock that's approximately the size you want, start with that and extend the top or the sides or whatever you need to do to make it the shape you want (hope that makes sense). Then I would scan this drawing so that you have a digitized version of it. When you begin to design the "LO", make your document the size of the paper that you have the "stocking" on. You should then be able to print this out on fabric if that's the way you want to go. If it is bigger than 8.5x11, you'll need to design in some seams.

Alternately, you could do as Gayle suggests and make the stocking out of Christmas fabric and then add your personal touches. In this case, you can still use the scanned stocking shape to figure out where and how big to make your embellishments.

HTH

It is really a good idea.