We're in full on preparation mode for Christmas now, trying to get organised with our long list of projects we want to get done in time for December! This week we're focusing on stockings, and although we love our stocking panels, you can't beat a fun novelty one like this little guy! It's more of an intermediate project than one for complete beginners but there's no complex sewing - it's just a bit fiddly in a couple of places. The kids will love him!

DIY Penguin Christmas Stocking Project

You Will Need

• Half a metre of Makower Spraytime Black Fabric
• Fat quarter of Makower White-on-white Stars Fabric
• Fat quarter of Makower Spectrum Pumpkin Fabric
• Quarter metre of tartan brushed cotton fabric
• Scrap of black ribbon
• Half a metre of Bondaweb
• Wadding - I used the cheap polyester kind
• A handful of toy stuffing
• Black and orange thread
• PDF Templates

How to Make

1. Print off your templates and stick together, then cut out each piece. Don't separate the main body and tummy pieces yet!
2. Pin and cut out two penguin body pieces from your black spray time fabric, and one from your wadding. Fold this pattern piece along the lines indicated at the sides on the pattern to create a long straight edge across the top. Use this as a template to cut your penguin fronts from the black fabric - you will need 2 of these. Finally, cut 4 penguin wings using the template on page 1. 
3. Place the two penguin fronts WRONG SIDES TOGETHER and fold and hem the top straight edge with a narrow seam allowance (approx 8mm). This will form the top of the stocking pocket. 
   
4. Cut out the penguin tummy from the rest of the penguin body template, then pin and cut one from your white-on-white fabric. Repeat on your Bondaweb. 
5. Attach the gluey side of the Bondaweb to the wrong side of your tummy piece using a warm iron and a pressing cloth. Let cool, then peel off the backing paper and position on the front of your penguin front, lining up the bottom corners. Press in place again with iron and pressing cloth. At this point, you can add some decorative/applique stitching around the tummy piece if you want but I chose not to.
   
6. Cut out two eye pieces from your white-on-white fabric, and two pupils from your black spray time fabric. Cut 2 of each again from Bondaweb and attach the Bondaweb to the back of each piece. Adhere the pupils to the eye pieces, lining up the bottom edges. 
   
7. Lay out your penguin body pieces and lay your penguin front on top to check the layout. Place your eyes above the pocket front, where you think you might want them - don't forget you will have a seam allowance of 10mm on each side edge. When you're happy with the placement, iron in place. 
   
8. Next, cut two beaks and four feet pieces from your orange fabric. Stitch each 2 pieces the same together with a 10mm seam allowance, trim seam allowance and turn right sides out. Stuff and baste closed. 
   
   
9. Fold in your seam allowance on the open end of your beak and top stitch shut. Then place under the eyes of your penguin, checking the placement. When you are happy, flip the beak up to face the top of the head and hand stitch in place along your beak stitching, then pull the beak down into normal place and pop an extra stitch in close to the end to help hold it down a bit. 
   
   
10. Stitch, stuff and baste your wings as you did for your feet. 
    
11. Now it's time to layer up, make sure you pay attention when you do this or it can go very wrong! Make a sandwich, layered as so:
    Wadding body
    Back of body
    Wings and feet, facing inside (you may find it best to baste these in place)
    Ribbon, folded into a loop and placed upside down at the top of the head
    Front pocket
    Front with face
12. Pin all the way around on the wadding side. 
13. Stitch all the way round using a 10mm seam allowance, starting and ending at one side of the head and leaving a gap of around 6-8cm at the start and finish for turning out. Once stitched, trim your seam allowances.
    
14. Turn right sides out, and press (your bondaweb may need re-attaching). Press the seam allowance of the gap to the inside, then hand stitch closed using ladder stitch. Remove any basting stitches you can see.
    
15. Last but not least, we've got to make his scarf! Fold your piece of tartan fabric in half lengthways, and then do the same again to create a long narrow piece. Stitch with a 15mm seam allowance down the open end, then turn the tube out. 
    
16. Lay the scarf around the penguin's neck as so, folding one end under and then over the other piece to create a 'knot'. Hand stitch the scarf in place, attaching the top of the scarf edge to the top edge of the pocket on each side.