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DIY STOCKINGS

Presenting the Decorate It Yourself stocking kit!

I provide everything but the glue for your holiday decorating. This is a fun project for almost anyone of any age - I do recommend supervision for any teeny-tiny kiddos as I know some of the decorations look quite yummy. While I do provide a list of instructions, these are really just suggestions. There are no hard rules on how to do this as it is YOUR project. Just be sure to keep it random, weird, kitschy and FUN! 


This year, 2022, I'm offering both cat and dog characters for the DIY stockings in a variety of colors! There are a limited number of these stockings available so be sure to get your order in early. I sold out of these when I first offered them in 2020. Now available in my Etsy shop!

Buy now!

available diy characters

available diy animal colors

about the kit

Kit Includes:

  • 1 - red felt stocking (16 1/2" H x 8 3/4" W; made in China)
  • 1 - felt animal in color of your choice
  • 1 - felt green starburst (2 1/4")
  • 5 ea. - gold and silver snowflake sequins (23mm)
  • 1 or 2 - googlie eyes, depending on the character
  • 2 - "collars" of red and green rhinestones  
  • 8-10ea green rhinestones (6mm & 4mm)
  • 8-10ea red rhinestones (6mm & 4mm)
  • .4oz - gold and silver sequins in various sizes
  • 1 - instruction sheet
  • Lettering, in red felt (if purchased)


Not Included:

  • Glue (see more info below), which is needed


Other items that are useful but not required:

 

  • Scissors.
  • Something to grab the small rhinestones with: Tweezers or a crayon - I use a wax pencil.
  • For mistakes and clean-up: A slightly damp paper towel and if you'd rather not use a finger then a q-tip, disposable knife, or a craft stick (see below for repair tips).
  • For lettering: A ruler and masking tape but only if you want to line up your letters(more info below).
  • Additonal add-ons such as glitter, glitter paint, glitter glue, buttons, patches, etc.

Glue

 Realistically any glue will work. Some are better than others. You'll want to find something that dries clear as it helps to hide mistakes and messes. NEVER use a hot glue gun on this type of felt! Seriously .. it WILL melt the felt!! The low heat ones work but things will just fall off the stocking over time. 


Here are the glue brands that I do recommend:

  1. E6000 Fabri-Fuse. This is my #1 glue and the one I use. It's super strong, dries clear and doesn’t get goopy. This can be found online and at most craft stores. I get mine at Joann's.
  2. Aleene's Max Tacky Adhesive. Dries clear but can be difficult to find and can get goopy.
  3. Any glue that says it works for fabrics, especially felt.

How to assemble:

play!

 Take everything out of the package and lay it out on a sturdy surface so you can take it all in. 


 Decide if you want the hang tag to the left or the right then lay the stocking flat. Now, it’s time to have fun! No glue is required yet, as you are just going to play around to see what works. Lay the animal onto the stocking. Grab those decorative elements (snowflakes, rhinestones, etc) and place them on the stocking in whatever order you like. Move them around. If you have some of your own decorative elements you want to add, this is the time to see what they'd look like. I love using buttons, clay cabochons, mini tree ornaments .. again, have fun! I recommend taking photos along the way so that you can remember what you’ve done and can reference back if you preferred something more than others. This is how you create that “one of a kind” look to your stocking and make it completely your own. 


 The cats have their tail attached to the body. The tail can be a little flimsy and floppy when you try to glue it into place. I'm leaving it up to you if you'd want to leave the tail attached or not. It's very simple to cut off. With the dogs, you do not need to worry about this.


 Don’t forget the top of the stocking! This is where I like to put that large green felt starburst. If you received lettering, play around with that too, put it at the top or even put it on the red stocking part. Play around with it .. Have fun!


  Once you’ve decided on a layout you’re happy with, then it’s time to craft! Find the strip of red and green rhinestones and choose which you prefer, this is the collar for your pet. You'll cut the strip to the size of the animals neck. Lay it where you'd like it, with the backing paper still attached, then just snip off what you don't want. These rhinestones have adhesive on the back so you can stick it directly to the animal. Just peel off the backing paper and stick!  

Time to get that glue ready!

I’d suggest gluing the animal first as it is the largest and anchoring element of the stocking. Turn the animal over, as this is the side you’ll be gluing. Just lay the glue around the edges of the backside of the animal. Once you have the glue on, you’ll go ahead and flip the animal over and lay it upon the stocking. You get one shot at placement so be patient and go slow.

googlie eye/s

Once you’re happy with your animal placement, then it's time to move onto the eyes! Find where you want to place the eye(s) on the animal. You can either eyeball it (HA!) or use a pen or chalk to mark where you want it. (Personally, I just kind of go for it blindly and it works out 99.5% of the time). Lay down a dot of glue and place your googlie eyes on top. With clearn fingertips, press down gently. Please let it dry before you start waving the stocking around to watch the googlie eye(s) move otherwise they may shift or even fall off.

decorative elements.

Just lift an element (snowflake, rhinestone, sequin, whatever) either with your fingers or with something else (tweezers, crayon, etc) and place a very small dot of glue onto the felt where you'd like the element. Then place the element on top of the glue dot. I have found that if you put the glue onto the stocking and not directly on the element then there’s less room for mistakes. If you’ve doubled up elements (for example, a rhinestone on top of a snowflake or a sequin) just double up the process - glue dot then element, glue dot then rhinestone. Repeat this whole process until all of your elements are glued down.

Top of the stocking

For the green felt starburst, you'll just repeat the process you did for the animal. Flip it over, add glue then place. 

 If you have not received lettering with your stocking, then you can move onto the next section.


If you did receive lettering, then this next bit is for you! If not, then move on down to the Cheers! section.

Lettering

STRAIGHT LINE LETTERING

For a more structured look, meaning straight lettering, you’ll need lots of patience. Grab a ruler and tape*. Put the ruler down on your table and place the lettering along the top of the ruler. This should give you a straight line. You may have to adjust a few of the letters. Once you’re happy with their placement, grab a piece of tape long enough for all the lettering and gently place it onto them - do not rub the felt too much into the tape as you do have to remove it. Now, flip it over and add glue to the back of the letters. Once done, carefully flip the lettering over and place it onto the stocking. Go ahead and give the letters a rub so they stay in place. Gently press the lettering onto the stocking and carefully remove the tape while holding down the lettering as you remove. If you want, you can leave the tape on until the lettering is dry then remove. 


*I do suggest a low tack tape, meaning a tape that is not permanent so no duct tape. I do suggest either a cheap masking tape, painters tape or even Scotch tape.  I used painters tape in the photos above. We're looking for something temporary not permanent. 

Wonky LETTERING

From personal experience, wonky is the easiest layout of lettering as you’ll just place them wherever. Plus wonky is more fun! For wonky: Turn the lettering over (like you did with the starburst and animal), add glue, flip them over and place them onto the stocking.

HAND PAINTED LETTERING

If you'd like to attempt hand writing the name with paint, let me suggest Tulip fabric paint. It's a glitter paint that comes in a tube with a pointed tip. In the photo above I printed the name with just a regular ball tip pen then traced the lettering using the glitter paint. It's not perfect but does it really need to be?! I think it adds that vintage homemade look to the stocking. 

Cheers! you're done! .. OR ..

YOU CAN ADD GLITTER!!

The glitter isn’t included but it is something that can be added onto the felt. I prefer to use craft glitter paint or glitter glue (yep, the cheap stuff works!) as it doesn’t cause such a mess AND it does work really really well on felt. I sometimes glitter up the animal, starburst and/or the lettering. This is totally up to you. I prefer to use small, cheap brushes so you can really pile on the glitter. Yes, it’ll soak into the felt and you may need to do several coats to achieve maximum glitterocity. This can take some time. But, I promise.. It’ll be worth it!


To add glitter paint or glitter glue, wait for all the glue to be completely dry. I suggest 24 hours but it can be less. Use your judgement. Once it's dry, just brush on your glitter. If you need to add more than one coat, just make sure it's dry before doing so. 


To add glitter, again wait for the stocking to be completely dry first. Brush on glue then add glitter. It will be messy and I have no tips for you as I never mess with the stuff. I wish you luck! 

Yes .. mistakes do happen!

don't panic

 If at any time you mess up and put glue where you don't want it, don't go into panic mode. A glue glob has happened to me more times than I care to count! It just forces me to either spend the time to clean it or find a way to cover it up.


If you want to try to remove it, with your finger or whatever you have around (a q-tip, a disposable knife, a craft stick are some suggestions) take off what glue you can. Then, dab the stocking with a slightly damp paper towel til it looks like the glue is gone. Don't soak the stocking as it might stain it. You will have to wait for the felt/fur to dry before you can try gluing again. 


If you just want to cover it up instead, here's a few suggestions of what you can do:

  • Add a snowflake, sequin or rhinestone on top of it. 
  • Throw some glitter on the stocking - a little glitter will cover up a lot of mistakes. (See previous section on glittering).
  • Contact me and I'll be happy to send you a blank stocking (for a discounted price, of course) OR I can direct you where to purchase your own as these stockings are sold just about everywhere during the holidays. 

I'd love to see what you make!

Be sure to tag me on Instagram @kukukitchoo or you can send me a pic at kukukitchoo@gmail.com

This year, 2022, I'm offering both cat and dog characters for the DIY stockings in a variety of colors! There are a limited number of these stockings available so be sure to get your order in early. I sold out of these when I first offered them in 2020. Now available in my Etsy shop!

Buy your diy stocking now!

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