Sandringham Curtains Get a Second Life as Christmas Stockings
Curtains that once hung in Sandringham House have been given a festive makeover, transformed into 25 handmade Christmas stockings that are now being auctioned to support The King’s Foundation. The idea came after King Charles suggested the unused fabric should be “put to good use”, and the Dumfries House Sewing Bee stepped in to take on the challenge.
Each stocking was crafted from the original drapes that once featured in one of Sandringham’s main rooms, which has been a backdrop to many royal Christmases over the decades. Members of the Sewing Bee, most of whom live near Dumfries House in Ayrshire, spent over six hours on every stocking, using techniques such as piping, hand embroidery and careful seam matching. One stocking will be presented to the King himself, while the other 24 are being auctioned.
The King’s Foundation supports more than 15,000 students yearly, teaching practical heritage and craft-based skills — from millinery and woodwork to science, maths and stonemasonry. The Sewing Bee itself has become an important community hub, with members ranging from beginners to those now capable of sewing full garments after joining the group.
Lead tutor Sarah McClymont said “being given the opportunity to work with such historically significant fabric was a real honour for them and they are so proud of how the stockings turned out.” She added that the project showcases the Foundation’s focus on “craftsmanship, responsible design, and sustainable fashion and textiles,” and hoped each stocking would become “a family heirloom to be treasured for decades to come.”
The auction runs from 1st–12th December, with bids starting at £250. Given their provenance and the fact that each one is individually numbered, they’re expected to attract serious interest from royal fans and collectors.
This is the third year the King’s old curtains have been repurposed for charitable projects. Past fabrics from Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and other royal residences have become kimonos, footstools and other handcrafted items, all created through the Foundation’s network of students and community groups.
With these Sandringham stockings, the tradition continues — and 24 lucky bidders will end up with a festive keepsake carrying a literal piece of royal history.
