Work In Progress - Skate Stocking

The current issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion has a little blurb on pages 44-45 about making a Skate Stocking. (also seen on this page) I have been having difficulties with my cuff, trying to figure out what I wanted it to look like, what color it would be, would it lace up the front, stuff like that.

The cuff on the stocking in Home Companion is PERFECT. Ribbon ties and a button. Problem solved! My next hurdle is to figure out what color to paint the blade. My mom and I cut them out of scrap plywood with her scrollsaw. That was fun. A scrollsaw is like a very scary sewing machine. One that could eat your fingers if you are not paying attention. I am thinking I may apply a stain of some sort...I think I want to keep the grain of the wood visible.

I chose a gorgeous chocolate brown jaquard that was on sale at Joann's for the body of the stocking and appliquéd a brown toe-cap and heel. Earlier I said I was going to look for old leather or thrift the fabric from Goodwill, but I just didn't see enough of anything that would work. The stocking will be lined with a dupioni that is the exact lighter accent brown color on the jaquard fabric. So far I am very pleased.