Even though there are just a few days left until Santa comes, there's still time to stitch up a batch of fuzzy new Christmas stockings for your family. This time, choose a color that coordinates with the rest of your holiday decor and your stockings will not only be functional (the most important part!) but attractive, too!

What makes this project so easy is that we'll make a whole family's worth of stockings from one purchased fleece throw! Of course, if you have the time and energy to face a fabric store at this point in your holiday preparations, you can buy fleece by the yard. But what's great about using a pre-made throw for this project is that the shopping for materials is as quick and easy as can be. You'll find fleece throws in practically every store you'll be in over the next few days, from the grocery and drug stores I seem to have to stop in daily, on to the discount and department stores where you'll finish up your shopping. And I think it is actually less expensive to buy a throw as opposed to using the fleece fabric from the fabric store!

Last year, we made great looking scarves from these throws, so if you still need a couple of gifts, that project would combine beautifully with this one. Scroll down the list of projects below this one to Nov. 22, 2002 and you'll find directions for the scarves.

Whichever project you choose, one of the great things about working with fleece is that it doesn't ravel, so the sewing is super easy! And the scarves require no sewing at all!

What You Need

Purchased fleece throw
Sewing machine or large needle threaded with embroidery floss in a matching or contrasting color
Tinsel garland, jar of buttons, wired ribbon, glitter puff paint -- whatever trim you would like
Sheet of newspaper and pencil
Scissors
Hole punch

What to Do

1. First, lay out the sheet of newspaper and draw a basic stocking shape the size you would like. Then, draw your cutting line about 1/2" outside the first line all around. Cut out pattern on this line.

2. Fold throw so that the pattern covers 2 layers. Weight pattern on fleece with a can of vegetables to hold pattern in place on fleece. Cut out stocking shapes, cutting through both layers at once.

3. Decide which way you want your stocking to face. If you are making more than one, make sure they will all face the same way. On the piece that will be the top, decorate it in any way you wish. Here are a few ideas. BOW: Simply tie a generous bow with long tails from a length of wired ribbon. Use a needle and thread to tack the bow in place towards the top of the stocking.

BUTTON DOTS: Use tacky glue to attach white buttons in an evenly space polka dot design all over the stocking.

GLITTER BALLS: To make and attach each ball: use the hole puncher to punch a a pair of holes about ½" apart where you want the ball. Thread 6" of tinsel garland through the holes so the ends are on the outside. Tie garland into a double knot, trim ends and tuck under. Plan out your placement before you begin punching. Place balls either in rows, all around the edge inside the sewing line, etc. Look at instructions for fleece scarves to get other decorating ideas.

4. When the top of the stocking is decorated, lay it over the bottom piece, right sides out. Using machine or by hand, sew all around the stocking, leaving top open. Cut an 8" x 1" scrap of fleece to form hanging loop. Sew it in place at top back edge. If desired, use scissors to cut seam allowance into points, scallops, etc. Add dots of glitter glue, if desired.