Burlap Stockings out of Free Coffee Sack

My younger brother Chris and his fiance Elissa are earth conscious people who happen to be getting married next summer.  As we all know, the hot trend for home decor is burlap but for those of us who do not know someone getting married..burlap is also hot as wedding decor!  So Chris and Elissa have been wondering what decorations they can make for their wedding out of burlap.  So obviously I am willing to help :)

Through a amazing idea from fellow blogger, Mel at Junkin Junky, I was able to get as many FREE burlap coffee sacks from a local coffee roasting company. You heard me right FREE!!!  I wasn't going to be greedy on the first visit so I only took a trunk full :) I shared with my sister and mom too.The only downfalls to this are my garage stinks from the burlap, I am always covered in fibers and we have unroasted coffee beans everywhere. But I still don't care..Free is great!

With a garage full of burlap and me just itching (not only from the burlap) to make something, I thought I would test out a few techniques on the burlap that could be used in the future to make wedding banners, gift bags, etc. etc.  I wanted to make something seasonally appropriate i.e. Christmas so I thought I would try my hand at a stocking for Chris and Elissa.

I had planned on running to the local Dollar Store to pick up a $1 stocking to be used for the shape but I was far to anxious and could not wait. So I taped some paper together and drew something that resembled a stocking.

 I knew I wanted to keep three things on the burlap sack I was using.

1. the twine tied spine
2. the "Save the Amazon. Use jute" logo
3. the green stripe

I lined the pattern up to allow me to keep these three things and cut it out.

 I turned the attached pieces inside out (matching the right sides together) and sewed a straight stitch. I then went back and sewed a wide zig zag stitch to prevent fraying. 

 I did the stitches in green hoping I could show you clearly but it really isn't clear. Sorry.

 I turned the stocking right side out and ironed it.

 Using freezer paper and a Cricut cutter, I cut out Chris' name in the font and size I wanted.

  

 

 I ironed (with medium dry heat) the freezer paper template for the name onto the top of the burlap stocking.

 I put a piece of paper between the two layers of the stocking and painted in black the name.

Carefully remove the freezer paper and let it dry.

 I think I might grab a stocking for shape next time because I don't think it is perfect. But I am so happy with the end result.

One custom made, environmentally friendly burlap stocking...for free!