Make It New: Pajama Stockings

As you now know, I make lists before I buy anything. A Christmas stocking for Siena tops my latest list. By some mind trick, instead of that retail therapy high I used to get from buying things, I now get a rush from finding ways to NOT buy things.    Joe jokingly said I should just use some of her old baby clothes piled up in the garage to make a stocking.  An excellent idea, hubs!

I took a brown receiving blanket, an Aiden and Anais swaddle blanket, and an outgrown terrycloth pajama, hacked them up, and then created this little Mary Jane stocking.

 

Sidenotes:

1) I really like the idea of "upcycling", but I think it will get some getting used to.  Cutting up those blankets and pajamas just felt so wrong, kinda like hacking into raw meat for the first time.  Sometimes destruction is necessary to make something useful again. 

2) I suck at machine sewing!  My goodness, I cannot sew a straight line for the life of me.  It feels like walking an untrained dog and getting pulled every which way. At one point, I just switched to hand-stitching because it was faster and less frustrating.  Wish grown-up Kristin could tell high school Kristin to forgo cheerleading and take sewing instead. Now, does anyone know of any good online sewing classes? 

3)  I cried as I made this stocking.  I remember just months ago wrapping her up like a little burrito with the blankets.  I could have fit tiny newborn Sisi in that stocking completely, but next Christmas she'll be able to wear it like a knee sock. 

In conclusion, I'm not big on the color combo, it doesn't match our traditional Christmas decor at all, and the stitching is completely amateur, but I love this little stocking because it's made of memories.  And here's where I offer you some wine with my cheese.  :)