In a unique fusion of royal heritage and sustainable craft, a set of discarded curtains from a famous royal residence has been given a new lease of life as a collection of bespoke Christmas stockings for a charitable cause.
From Royal Windows to Festive Fireplaces
Old curtains from Sandringham House in Norfolk have been meticulously repurposed by a dedicated sewing group. The project saw members of the King’s Foundation Sewing Bee transform the luxurious fabric into a set of 25 individually crafted festive stockings in the lead-up to Christmas.
The sewing bee itself is based at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland, another stately home with strong royal connections. The group meets weekly at the residence, and for the past few months, their focus has been entirely on this special endeavour, breathing new life into the historic material.
Craftsmanship for a Cause
Out of the 25 stockings created, 24 are being auctioned to raise money for The King’s Foundation. The final, twenty-fifth stocking is destined to be presented to King Charles III as a personal Christmas gift. The charity auction is open until 5pm on Friday, December 12, 2025.
The creation of each stocking was a labour of love, demanding more than six hours of skilled work. Members employed advanced techniques including hand embroidery, piping, and careful seam matching to ensure each piece was unique and of the highest quality.
A Community Stitched Together
The King’s Foundation, which has its headquarters at Dumfries House, is dedicated to teaching practical heritage skills. The sewing bee, meeting since 2016, is one of its flagship initiatives and strongly emphasises sustainability in all its projects.
The group has been a life-changing community for members like Christine Wilson, 72, and Andrea Middlemiss, 63, both from the nearby town of Cumnock. Neither had any sewing experience before joining.
"It’s been absolutely great," said Ms Wilson, a retired finance officer who joined at the group's inception. "It’s a great atmosphere in the sewing bee, a great group of friends, and we do a lot for charities as well."
Ms Middlemiss, a cafe worker, signed up six months later after discovering the group online. "I couldn’t sew a thing at the start," she admitted. Speaking about the Sandringham project, she added, "It’s an honour to be doing it. Because of the curtains, because of where they’ve come from and the story behind it."
Sarah McClymont, 31, the lead tutor for the bee, described the project as "exciting" for all involved. "Being given the opportunity to work with such historically significant fabric was a real honour for them," she stated.
She highlighted that the project perfectly demonstrates the foundation's commitment to craftsmanship, responsible design, and sustainable fashion. McClymont expressed hope that the winning bidders would treasure the stockings and pass them down as cherished family heirlooms for generations to come.
