Hawaiian Christmas Stocking

Make a Christmas stocking for a friend or family member out of an old Hawaiian shirt!

Personalize it with a cross stitched or embroidered name.

You'll need a Men's shirt that is size large or extra large (I was lucky enough to find a shirt with little Jeeps on it, and I happen to drive a Jeep so of course I had to make this one mine!) so you will be able to get both the front and back pieces out of the back of the shirt. Hawaiian shirts almost always have short sleeves so the sleeve sections wont be large enough for a stocking, Save the front and sleeves for other projects.

Most Hawaiian shirts are made out of Rayon or a Rayon/Cotton blend. Rayon is kind of silky and can be difficult to work with. If you find a thin Rayon shirt that you want to use, stabilize it with either fusible interfacing or stitch it over a solid cotton fabric. When I go to my local thrift shops I'm always on the lookout for Men's Large size white or light colored dress shirts. They are perfect for using in projects like this.

You will need:

Large cotton Hawaiian shirt

solid color shirt for lining

scrap fabric for heel, toe and loop

sewing machine

thread

scissors

straight pins

measuring tape

pinking shears (optional)

Cross stitch the name in block letters onto the Aida cloth or embroider the name in cursive using a simple running stitch. Use dark embroidery thread so it will show up against the white or ivory background.

Cut apart the Hawaiian shirt at the seams. Discard collar.

I used a stocking that I had for the pattern.

Cut out a front and back pieces (mirror images) about 1/2" larger for seam allowance.

Pin the name band onto the front section of the stocking at the top edge. Turn under the bottom edge and place the raw edge of the folded trim in between the name band and the fabric. Press. Fold the Aida cloth down and sew across the folded edge. Bring the Aida cloth back up towards the top. Using a decorative stitch on your sewing machine, or embroider with a feather stitch across the name band about 1/2" from the bottom edge.

You can either cut the rounded edges of the heel and toe pieces out with pinking shears and machine stitch or turn the edge under about 1/4" and hand stitch down.

Baste around the outside edges of heel and toe.

I cut the lining of my stocking out of an old white shirt that I found at the thrift shop.

Cut 2- one for the lining front and the other for the lining back.

Cut a piece of fabric 2" x 6". Fold in half lengthwise, crease with fingernail.

Open and then fold the outside long edges toward the center. Fold in half again and pin.

Stitch down the center of loop.

Pin a lining piece to the front section, right sides together. Pin a lining piece to the back of stocking, right sides together. Sew across the top of each about 3/4" from the top edge. Open the front and back pieces and lay flat.

Place the back of the stocking over the front, right sides together. Fold the loop in half and place between the front and back of stocking near the top edge.

Sew around the entire outside edge of stocking except for a 6" opening in the lining on the back seam for turning.

Place your hand in the opening of the lining and grab the toe area of the outside of the stocking.

Pull gently until you turn it right side out.

Using the sewing machine, stitch up the opening in the lining.

Now, push the lining inside the stocking.

I used a decorative stitch on my sewing machine.

Fill the stocking with little presents, wrap a few!

Here are a few random ideas:

Deck of cards

socks

toothbrush

individually wrapped candy

granola bar

A gift card to their favorite restaurant

manicure set

chapstick or lipstick

perfume or cologne

writing pen

and don't forget to put a tangerine in the toe!

Mele Kelikimaka! (Merry Christmas in Hawaiian)