Announcing Nancy Zieman Productions 2018 Christmas Stocking Sewing Challenge

Announcing Nancy Zieman Productions 2018 Christmas Stocking Sewing Challenge

You’re invited to participate in the Nancy Zieman Production’s 2018 Christmas Stocking Sewing Challenge. Use one of the free sewing patterns below, or any stocking pattern, and sew a Christmas stocking for yourself, a family member, or as a gift. Then, enter our Christmas Stocking Sewing Challenge. It’s easy!

From elegant to whimsical, Christmas stockings are a great way to add a pop of holiday cheer to any room. Plus, they can readily be sewn in a few hours of enjoyable sewing time.

Here are a couple of free stocking patterns:

I {Heart} Pellon Stocking from Pellon Projects

Christmas Stocking Tutorial from Amy’s Creative Side

Half-Square Patchwork Stocking Tutorial from Nancy Zieman Productions (below)

Christmas Stocking Sewing Challenge Guidelines

• Select or create your design. All sewing, quilting, serging, machine embroidery, and embellishment techniques are eligible. Stocking must be made within the last year and may not have been entered into previous NZP Stocking Challenges.
• Grab our Stocking Sewing Challenge blog badge and let your friends know about this exciting sewing challenge.
• Share your progress and projects on your social media sites using the hashtag: #NZPStockingChallenge
• Email your photo to [email protected] by November 27, 2018. One entry per sewist; open to continental US residents only.

Schedule:

• November 6, 2018—Stocking Challenge Kick Off.
• November 27, 2018—Stocking Challenge Deadline to Enter.
• November 28–December 3, 2018—A Panel of Judges Review Entries.
• December 4, 2018—Winners Announced! All decisions made by judges are final.

Half-Square Patchwork Stocking Tutorial

This project uses 1/4″ seam allowances. Approximate finished size: 14-1/2″ x 20″.

Supplies, Fabrics, and Notions:

• 5/8 yard green fabric (stocking back and lining)
• 1 fat quarter pink fabric (piping)
• 16 assorted jewel tone Riley Blake Confetti Cottons, or assorted fabrics, measuring 3-7/8″ x 3-7/8″. This is a perfect stash-buster project or ideal for a package of charm squares.

• 18″ x 22″ Pellon Fleece
• Quilter’s Basting Spray
•  No-Hassle Triangles Gauge
• 1 pkg 3/16″ or 3/8″ Wrap’n Fuse Piping
• Nancy Zieman Downloadable Stocking Template
• Optional: Rotary Cutter Pinking Blade

Printing:

• Download the Nancy Zieman Stocking Template
• Print the stocking template. It’s a large image so opt to “tile large pages” if applicable. The template will print on six pages. After assembled and cut out—stocking shape will measure approximately 15″ x 20-1/2″.
• Use the grid within the stocking shape as a guide when taping pages together.

Create the Patchwork

Easily make half-square triangle blocks for your stocking using the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge. There’s no hassle and no need to cut a single triangle! The measurements are printed on the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge designed by Nancy Zieman for Clover.

• Reference the left side of the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge to select a half-square block size.

 

• Layer two 3-7/8″ squares, matching right sides.

• Slide the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge to the 3-1/2″ half-square position. Place gauge onto squares and double-check the block size. If the block set is larger or smaller than the confines of the gauge, recut the blocks.
• Mark a center diagonal line on the fabric through the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge die cut openings.

• Stitch a scant 1/4″ from each side of the center marking.

• Cut along the center diagonal line.

• Press seam allowances open.

• Presto, accurate half-square triangles!

Just click and watch No-Hassle Triangle Quilts online! 

Create the Patchwork

• Audition and arrange 31 half-square triangles in a backwards “L” shape patchwork pattern—as shown below.
• The stocking patchwork is seven blocks tall.
• The stocking top is four blocks wide.
• The lower three rows are five blocks wide.

     Snap a picture of the arrangement to use as a reference.

• Join blocks in pairs.
• Press seam allowances in one direction.

• Join pairs to form rows.

• Arrange rows.
• Lock opposing vertical seam allowances and join rows.

• Press seam allowances in one direction.

• Spray one side of the 18″ x 22″ Pellon Fleece with Quilter’s Basting Spray.
• Place the wrong side of the stocking patchwork to the sprayed fleece. 
• Quilt the patchwork and batting layers using a Walking Foot. We opted to stitch-in-the-ditch along seamlines, using a Walking Foot.

Create the Stocking

• Lay the taped template on the quilted stocking front.
• Cut out the stocking shape with a scissors or use a rotary cutter.

• Fold the green lining fabric in thirds to create three layers.
• Lay the stocking template on the lining fabric and cut three: One stocking back and two lining pieces.

• Lay the template on the Pellon Fleece and cut one layer.

• Apply Quilter’s Basting Spray
  to the Pellon Fleece wrong side.
• Adhere to the stocking back fabric.

• From pink fabric, cut three, 1-1/2″ bias strips.

• Join the short ends of bias strips, off-setting the angle by 1/4″.

     Wondering about the red, laser line? It’s a special feature on The Baby Lock’s Destiny II machine. Line up the laser beam with the “V” of the 1/4″ off-set seam allowance for the most accurate stitching!

• Wrap the fabric strip around the Wrap’n Fuse Pipingand press.

• Use a Piping Foot or Zipper Foot to apply the piping to the right side of the patchwork stocking edges.
• No need to apply piping at stocking top edge.

Create the Hanging Loop

• Cut a fabric rectangle measuring 2-1/2″ x 6-1/2″

• Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise. Finger press folded edge.
•  Open the rectangle. Meet long edges at fold.

• Fold in both top and bottom edges. Press.

• Fold in half lengthwise again. Press.
• Edgestitch along each side.

• Fold the loop in half and pin the cut edges to the top of the right side of the stocking lining.

• Baste.

Create the Stocking

• Place stocking front and lining, right sides together. Pin along top edge.

• Place stocking back and lining, right sides together. Pin along top edge.

• Use a 1/4″ seam allowance to stitch along top edge of front and back stocking.
• Press seams open.

•  Pieces should look like this from the wrong side:

• With both stocking back and front open and flat, meet right sides together and pin.

     When joining the stocking, leave a 4″ unstitched opening along the lining straight edge. As a reminder to stop stitching at this area, place a pin parallel to the cut edge, rather than perpendicular.

• Stitch around the stocking using a 1/4″ seam allowance.
• Backstitch at the start and finish, leaving 4″ unsewn along the lining’s straight edge.
• Press the seam allowance at the opening.
• Use a rotary cutter pinking blade to trim excess fabric from the seam allowance at the curved edges.

• Turn the stocking right side out through the opening.

• Hand stitch the opening closed.

• Tuck the lining into the stocking fabric. Press.

• Our stocking is complete! We look forward to seeing your stockings in the Nancy Zieman Productions 2018 Christmas Stocking Sewing Challenge!

How to Enter

Enter the Stocking Sewing Challenge by emailing a photo to [email protected] It’s easy!

Schedule:

• November 6, 2018—Stocking Challenge Opens
• November 27, 2018—Stocking Challenge Deadline to Enter
• November 28–December 3, 2018—A Panel of Judges Review Entries
• December 4, 2018—Winners Announced! All decisions made by judges are final.

 $1,075 in prizes! Thank you to our generous sponsors!

• June Tailor Shape Cut Ruler, Cut’n Press, T-Shirt Transformation, T-Shirt Project Fusible Interfacing, Holiday Stocking, Morning Blend Table Runner, Casablanca Placemat, Uplifting Mug Mat, Sophisticated Strips a $213 value
  

• Martingale Five Random Winners: Merry Makers Book compiled by Lissa Alexander a $26.99 value

Happy  Sewing and Quilting,

Team Nancy Zieman

Nancy Zieman Productions. LLC.

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