This year, I went with a coastal theme for my Christmas tree because, well, a summer Christmas with green, red and snow somehow doesn’t make sense! Have a look at my Christmas tree post here – it is definitely one of my favourite trees! Once I had the tree up, I realized that my very festive and traditionally decorated Christmas stockings were not going to work, so I made these lovely potato print stockings to go with the theme.
They are really easy to make and I have to admit, I absolutely fell in love with the half-moon pattern and will definitely use it again in a project or 2.
You will need:
- Plain white cotton (an old sheet works really well!)
- Pencil
- Craft paint (I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® in Napoleonic Blue mixed with Graphite) *
- Roller or brush – more on that later!
- Medium to large potatoes
- Fork
- Sewing machine and matching thread
* Shop your chalk paint online here!
Use a pencil to draw the outline of a stocking. It’s a really simple design so I did mine freehand, but you can also trace an existing stocking.
Next, cut the potatoes into quarters and then place them on kitchen towel to dry. You want them to be very dry before you start to print, otherwise the moisture inside the potato will make the paint bleed. Just a friendly note from personal experience 😉
Once they are nice and dry, stick in fork into the rounded back of one of the quarters. The fork just makes it easier to lift the potato after you’ve printed and helps to keep your hands clean.
Now you can start to apply the paint using either the roller or the brush. I started using a roller and then, after a while, switched to a paint brush. I have to be honest, I much prefer the texture of the paint brush! Either way, always test the print on paper first before you commit to fabric. That way you can make sure that you’re happy with the consistency of the paint and that you are able to get a clean and clear print.
Then print away! To prevent a messy print, make sure you wipe the excess paint from the sides of the potato every once in a while.
Once you’re done and it’s all dry, sew the stocking together and add a fabric or ribbon loop for hanging.
I was so inspired once I started printing that I ended up making a gift bag as well, using just the Napoleonic Blue for a bit of variety. Perfect for keeping all the gifts together, especially when there are little fingers that can’t wait for Christmas anymore!
Happy making!
