A unique collection of Christmas stockings, crafted from historic curtains once hung in Sandringham House, is set to be auctioned for charity. The stockings were meticulously created by members of a sewing bee based at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland—another stately home with royal ties.
The sewing bee, which gathers weekly at Dumfries House, has devoted recent months to repurposing the luxurious fabrics salvaged from Sandringham House, Norfolk. They transformed the material into 25 individually numbered stockings, with 24 available for auction to benefit The King’s Foundation, and a special final stocking reserved as a Christmas gift for the King himself.
Each stocking required over six hours of skilled work, featuring detailed hand embroidery, piping, and seam matching. The King’s Foundation, based at Dumfries House, champions practical heritage skills and sustainable craftsmanship, and the sewing bee is one of its key initiatives emphasizing community engagement and environmental responsibility.
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Notably, some members of the sewing bee, like Christine Wilson and Andrea Middlemiss from Cumnock, had little to no sewing experience before joining. Wilson, 72, a retired finance officer, has been part of the group since its inception in 2016. Middlemiss, 63, who works in a café, joined six months later and has since gained significant skills and confidence.
Wilson shares, “It’s a great atmosphere—so much camaraderie and giving back to charities. We’ve learned a lot from talented tutors here.” Middlemiss adds, “I’m proud to have contributed to this project. Knowing these curtains once adorned a royal residence adds a special meaning to the stockings.”
Sarah McClymont, the bee’s lead tutor, called the project “exciting” and a true honor. “Working with such historically significant fabric showcased the foundation’s values of craftsmanship, responsible design, and sustainability. We hope these stockings become treasured family heirlooms for generations.”
The King’s Foundation’s 2025 Christmas Charity Auction is open until 5 pm on Friday, December 12. This project illustrates how heritage, creativity, and charity come together to celebrate the season in a truly meaningful way.