ITH Christmas Cutlery Stocking with Birdhouses machine embroidery design - 2 sizes

The download includes two digital files for making an ITH Christmas cutlery stocking with birdhouses. The finished felt holder is designed for flatware, holiday table settings, candy or a small gift; no physical stocking, fabric or supplies are included.

The front features two festive birdhouses, a poinsettia, greenery and berries. The embroidery machine stitches the placement outline, secures the front felt, embroiders the decoration and joins the front and back pieces with the final construction seam while leaving the top open.

Sizes, stitches and formats

Size: 127.9x163.3 mm (5.04x6.43 "), Stitches: 23952
Size: 138.0x176.2 mm (5.43x6.94 "), Stitches: 16271

Formats: .dst, .jef, .pec, .vip, .hus, .pes, .exp, .sew, .dat, .vp3, .xxx

Design specifications

Both sizes are complete, originally digitized files. Do not resize them automatically before stitching: scaling can alter decorative density and move the construction seams in relation to the felt edge.

Hoop compatibility

Check the machine's maximum embroidery field, not the outside dimensions of the plastic hoop. Trace the design boundary before stitching. The first file requires at least 127.9 mm (5.04 in) of usable width; the second requires at least 138.0 mm (5.43 in).

Felt, stabilizer and needle

Hoop the stabilizer by itself; add the felt after the placement stitch. Use the same firm, non-stretch felt with a clean surface for the front and back. Each piece should extend at least 10 mm (about 3/8 in) beyond the stocking outline on every side.

Water-soluble topping is unnecessary on smooth felt. Felt 2–3 mm (0.08–0.12 in) thick can restrict hoop movement and make the final joining seam bulky, so use it only after a complete test stitch. For more background, see Choosing Stabilizers for Machine Embroidery, Tear-Away Stabilizers for Machine Embroidery and Getting to Know Madeira Avalon Stabilizers.

Recommended Madeira thread palette

The table gives a practical Madeira Classic Rayon No. 40 palette for the stitched sample. Follow the color sequence supplied with the downloaded files and use the machine preview to confirm each block before stitching.

The felt color is part of the palette. White creates a crisp winter look, red gives the table setting stronger contrast, and natural beige makes the composition quieter. Test the white and green threads against the chosen felt before starting the final project.

Step-by-step ITH assembly

1. Hoop two layers of Madeira Cotton Soft 50 g/m² (1.47 oz/yd² per layer) with the grain directions crossed at 90 degrees. Keep both layers smooth and drum-tight.
2. Run the first color to stitch the stocking placement outline.
3. Place the front felt over the outline with at least 10 mm (3/8 in) extending beyond it on every side, then stitch the tack-down line.
4. Embroider the birdhouses, poinsettia and greenery without using automatic color sorting; repeated colors may belong to different construction stages.
5. Before the final construction seam, choose how you want to attach the back piece.

Exposed decorative edge

Secure the second felt piece underneath the hoop so it fully covers the stocking outline; keep pins and tape outside the needle path. Run the final seam, remove the project from the hoop and trim both felt layers approximately 6–10 mm (1/4–3/8 in) from the seam with pinking shears.

Classic turned construction

Place the back piece over the embroidered front with the right sides together. Run the final seam, remove the project, trim the seam allowance and carefully turn the stocking through the open top. Use only low iron heat and a pressing cloth on polyester felt.

Before the last seam, check that the felt has not folded underneath the hoop or blocked any moving machine parts. Secure the lower layer with painter's tape or embroidery tape outside the seam line; never place tape over the future stitching path.

Project ideas and small-batch sales

• a flatware holder for a fork, knife and spoon at each Christmas place setting;
• packaging for a candy cane, chocolate or small guest favor;
• a textile envelope for a gift card;
• a personalized place card when a name is added before final assembly;
• a small hanging decoration after a loop is secured in the upper seam.

For a coordinated table, use one size, one felt type and one thread palette for every place setting. If you add a name, print the template first and make sure the lettering will not be hidden by the flatware or crossed by the construction seam.

You may sell finished physical stockings in small handmade quantities at craft fairs, on Etsy or through your own shop. The embroidery files themselves may not be copied, shared or resold, and the standard license does not cover factory production. For product-listing ideas, read Easy Tips to Sell More Machine Embroidery on Etsy; the complete usage rules are in the Royal Present Embroidery Terms and Conditions.

Companion embroidery designs

Christmas stocking with birdhouses – 6 sizes

Christmas birdhouses – 3 sizes

Cutlery stocking with bullfinch and tit

Christmas stocking with bullfinch – 2 sizes

Explore more holiday table and gift projects in the In-the-Hoop Christmas Stocking Machine Embroidery Designs category.

Download and license

After checkout, download the ZIP archive, extract it and transfer only the format supported by your embroidery machine. The archive contains the digital files in two sizes; the finished item, felt, stabilizer, thread and flatware are not included.

Frequently asked questions

Does the smaller file fit a 5x7 hoop?

Only if the machine's actual embroidery field is at least 127.9x163.3 mm. It fits a true 130x180 mm field, but a field limited to 127x177.8 mm may be too narrow. Check the machine manual and trace the design boundary before stitching.

Which hoop is required for the second size?

The 138.0x176.2 mm file needs an embroidery field at least that large. A 130x180 mm hoop is too narrow; a 140x200 mm hoop or larger is normally required.

Which stabilizer should I use?

Hoop two layers of Madeira Cotton Soft, Art. 9436 white or 9437 black, 50 g/m² (1.47 oz/yd²) per layer. If you need a fully removable base, test two layers of Madeira Avalon Plus, Art. 9442, 40 g/m² (1.18 oz/yd²). Do not hoop the felt itself.

Do I need a regular sewing machine to finish the stocking?

No. The embroidery machine joins the front and back felt pieces with the final construction seam. Afterward, trim the exposed edge with pinking shears or turn the stocking through the open top, depending on the chosen finish.

Can I sell finished stockings on Etsy?

Yes. You may sell finished physical items in small handmade quantities. You may not sell, share, upload or redistribute the digital embroidery files, and the standard license does not permit factory mass production.

Design author: Ludmila Konovalova, Royal Present Embroidery.