🎄✨ Stitch up some holiday cheer with this “Nightmare Before Christmas”-inspired stocking! Perfect for a sewing enthusiast, Disney fan, or anyone who loves handmade surprises, this pull-top gift card holder is as unique as Sally herself. Complete with patchwork charm, sewing-themed details, and a little shimmer magic. Ready to dive into the fun? Let’s go!
DIY Nightmare Before Christmas Sally-Inspired Pull-Top Gift Card Holder: What You Need
Before we jump in, gather your supplies! Here’s the “recipe” for bringing Sally to life:
• Cardstock:
• Basic Black 12x12 Two-Tone Cardstock: Stocking base, cuff, zig-zag seams, heel & toes,
• Pretty Peacock, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie 8-1/2"x11" Cardstock (or Sundance-CTMH): Patchwork pieces
• White Willow: Deckled Circle die cuts
• Stampin’ Blends:
• Azure Afternoon, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Smoky Slate Pool Party (Light & Dark for all)
• Dies & SVG Files:
• Deckled Circle Dies: Heel, toe, centerpiece
• Design Space®️ SVGs: Sally’s face, needle, scissors, thimble, spool, “To & From” banners, zig-zags
• Poinsettia Petals Dies: Holly leaves (in brushed silver foil)
Inks & Embellishments:
• Balmy Blue Classic Stampin’ Pad for edging
• CTMH Clear Shimmer Brush: Add sparkle to Sally’s hair
• Brushed Silver Foil: For metallic accents like scissors and needles
• White Gel Pen: Hand-drawn stitching details
• Ribbon: For the stocking loop (I used WHITE 3/8" (1 CM) FRAYED GROSGRAIN RIBBON)
Stitching the Plan: Start with the Design
Every great craft begins with a vision! Using Cricut®️ Design Space, I mapped out my project. While the final design might evolve as I work, seeing it on-screen helps bring my ideas to life. I think of it as my crafting blueprint.
Pro Tip: Print your SVG files in black and white. Use your Stampin’ Blend Markers to color them. Coloring them yourself will add depth and dimension that you don’t usually get from an SVG file!
Patchwork Perfection: Crafting Your Sally-Inspired Stocking: Step-by-Step Guide
It’s all about that patchwork charm! Follow these steps to recreate Sally’s iconic style:
1. Create Your Patchwork Template
The foundation of your patchwork masterpiece starts here! Cut a stocking base into your desired shapes and sizes to create a custom patchwork template. Don’t worry about precision—patchwork is all about charm, not perfection!
2. Cut, Cut, Cut!
Bring your patchwork to life by cutting shapes from Pretty Peacock, Melon Mambo, and Pumpkin Pie (or CTMH Sundance) cardstock. Use your template pieces as guides to ensure your shapes fit perfectly. These bold, colorful cardstock choices will make Sally’s signature patchwork pop!
3. Lay It Down
Arrange your cut pieces on a Basic Black cardstock stocking base. Remember, this step is all about positioning—no adhesive just yet!
4. Zig-Zag It
Cover the seams with black zig-zag strips to mimic a stitched effect. These can be cut from Basic Black cardstock using an SVG file in Design Space®️ and a Cricut®️.
5. Double the Fun
Repeat steps 1–4 for the back of the stocking to create a seamless, double-sided design.
💡 Pro Tip:
Using black cardstock as the base gives your design a crisp, polished look while providing a sturdy foundation for layering.
DIY Holiday Crafts: Embellishment Magic
Let’s bring those embellishments to life! Follow these steps to make every detail pop:
• Die Cuts:
Use Deckled Circle Dies to create perfectly layered embellishments:
1. Basic Black Cardstock: Cut one 3” x 3” circle for the background centerpiece and two 2-3/4” x 2-3/4” circles for the heel and toe.
2. White Willow Cardstock: Cut one 2-3/4” x 2-3/4” circle to layer inside the black background centerpiece.
• Hand-drawn stitching:
Add a touch of whimsy by drawing stitching details on the cuff, toe, and heel with a white gel pen.
• SVG Files: Customize your embellishments to suit your style. You can either keep the colors in the SVG files or remove them for a black-and-white design. Here’s what you’ll need to print and cut:
• Two of Sally’s face (one for the stocking and one for the cuff)
• Buttons and sewing-themed items like a spool of thread, scissors, needle, and thimble
• “To & From” banners, “Merry Christmas” sentiment can be designed in Design Space®️ or created using stamps and dies you already have.
• Add a Splash of Color:
If you print your SVG files in black and white, use Stampin’ Blends markers to color them. The markers are perfect for matching your cardstock and creating a cohesive look.
• Metallic Shimmer: Give your design a luxurious feel with brushed silver foil:
• Cut metallic embellishments like scissors, needles, and thimbles.
• Add holly leaves using the Poinsettia Petals Dies for that festive sparkle.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t have a stamp set small enough for the banners? Let your Cricut®️ save the day! Design Space®️ makes it easy to create custom, tiny details for any project.
Pulling It Together: Creating the Interactive Pull-Top Mechanism
The pull-top mechanism makes this stocking more than just a decoration—it transforms it into an interactive, handmade Christmas gift that wows!
1. Cut & Fold
Start with a 2-1/2” x 9” strip of cardstock for the pull tab. Fold up the bottom 2” and apply a very thin line of glue to the sides of the folded section. This creates a secure pocket for the gift card—no more adhesive residue on the card itself!
2. Trim to Fit
Adjust the overall length of the pull tab to 5-1/2” so it fits neatly inside the stocking while still allowing smooth movement. Next, cut two small 2-1/2” x 1” pieces of cardstock in the same color as the pull tab. Adhere these two pieces together for extra strength, and then glue them to the back of the pull-tab mechanism (the side without the pocket).
3. Assemble the Magic
To ensure the mechanism works seamlessly:
• Add foam tape to the back of your front cuff.
Position the tape to leave enough space for the cuff to overhang on the stocking slightly.
• Securely adhere the pull-top mechanism to the foam tape making sure the mechanism and ribbon loop are sandwiched in place for a polished, functional design.
4. Add your Brushed Silver Foil leaves to the right-hand corner of the cuff and the Merry Christmas sentiment to the left.
5. Need Extra Guidance? Don’t worry if this sounds tricky—check out my full pull-top mechanism tutorial for detailed, beginner-friendly instructions.
💡 Pro Tip: Adding a pocket is a total game-changer! It keeps the gift card secure while giving your project a professional, polished finish.
Final Assembly of Your Handmade Christmas Gift Card Holder
It’s time to bring the elements together—no needle or thread required!
1. Start with the Basics:
Glue down your patchwork pieces and zig-zag strips onto the stocking. This forms the foundation of your design.
2. Seal It Up: Adhere the front and back pieces of the stocking together, making sure to leave the top open for the pull-tab mechanism.
3. Press for Success: To keep everything flat and smooth while the glue dries, stack ink pads or heavy books on top of the stocking.
4. Position Stocking Sally Like a Pro:
Place Sally’s SVG on the front of the stocking. You want parts of her hair and bow to extend beyond the edges. What extends over will be the part we cut off the stocking but will add to the cuff with the second Sally SVG.
5. Adding Sally To The Cuff:
Once stocking Sally is positioned & trimmed on the stocking, slide the pull-tab mechanism into place, inside the stocking. You will then align and adhere the second Sally SVG to the cuff. Most of the Sally SVG will overhang as shown in the photo below
Let it dry completely before trimming the overhang off of the cuff. When trimming, just follow the cuff line.
6. Add Flat Embellishments: Attach the Deckled Circle Dies, toe and heel pieces, and other flat embellishments to the front & back of the stocking and cuff. Use your trusty ink pads or books on top of the stocking to weigh everything down while it sets.
7. Finish with Dimension: Once your flat pieces are secured, layer on dimensional embellishments like foam-mounted holly leaves for depth and festive flair.
💡 Final Flourish: Add a touch of sparkle with the CTMH Clear Shimmer Brush on Sally’s hair and the sewing machine embellishment. It’s the perfect subtle shimmer for that holiday magic!
Sally’s Sparkling Finale
And there you have it! Your Sally-inspired pull-top gift card holder is ready to wow this holiday season. This design is as versatile as it is magical—easily adapt it to your favorite characters, colors, or themes. Whether you’re gifting a crafter, a Disney fan, or someone who loves all things handmade, this stocking is sure to deliver a smile.
Explore More: Handmade Holiday Inspiration
Feeling inspired? Here’s a sneak peek at some of my other pull-top gift card holders to spark your creativity:
Check out my gallery to see more designs and learn how to make your own!
Share Your Creations!
Have you made a Sally-inspired stocking or your twist on the design? I’d love to see it! Share your projects in the Members Gallery and spread some crafty cheer.
Want To Make This Stocking? Shop With me:
Winter Wishes & Happy Crafting!
From my crafting corner to yours, may your holidays be full of creativity and joy.
April – This Chick Loves Paper
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Images @ Stampin’ Up!©
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The content in this blog is the sole responsibility of April Raine - This Chick Loves Paper as a Stampin’ Up!® Independent Demonstrator. The use of and content of classes, services, or products offered is not endorsed by Stampin’ Up!®.
Craft a magical Nightmare Before Christmas Sally-inspired pull-top gift card holder! Learn how to create this festive stocking with colorful patchwork, sewing embellishments, and interactive features. Perfect for holiday gifting!
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