How to Sew a DIY Fabric Advent Calendar [Step-By-Step Tutorial]

Instructions

To make the calico back of the calendar:

1. Cut calico to measure 2m (78”) long by 55cm (22”) wide. Cut interfacing, if using, 1m x 55cm (39”x22”). Iron interfacing onto half of the reverse side of your calico.
2. Fold the calico in half, right sides together, and pin (it should now measure 1m (39”)). From the folded end, measure down 5cm (2”) on each side in the seam allowance and mark with a pencil (this leaves a gap for the rod pocket.
3. Starting at the pencil mark and using a 1/2” seam allowance, sew down the long sides of the calico, leaving the 5cm (2”) gap that you measured from the top (folded end) on each side. This forms the rod pocket for your calendar.
4. Using a 1/2” seam allowance, sew the bottom of the calendar 3/4 of the way across the bottom, leaving a gap to turn the calendar the right way out. Reverse to secure the stitching so that it doesn’t pull apart when you turn the calendar in the right way.
5. Turn the calendar right way out and press the seams well. Turn under raw seams at the rod pocket and at the bottom and press well. You can use a little glue to secure the seams in the rod pocket if you wish
6. Top stitch 1/4” around the sides and bottom of the advent calendar (still leaving the rod pocket open), enclosing the open seam at the bottom. Press well.

To make the pockets:

1. Cut the main fabric into 24 x 12.5cm (5”) squares.

2. To hem, turn the edge of the pocket along all four sides under by 1.25cm (1/2”) on the wrong side and press well.

3. Top stitch around all four sides of your square pockets to secure the hem and conceal the raw edges.

4. Using the template provided, trace the numbers 1 – 24 onto felt or fabric of your chosen colour and cut them out. Tracing against a bright window works well.

5. Secure numbers with a little glue (a glue stick works fine). This prevents them from slipping around when you sew them and makes everything a whole lot easier.

6. Stitch numbers on by following the shape. You don’t need to stitch around the edge of the numbers, as the felt won’t fray.

Constructing the calendar

1. Measuring 2.5 cm (1”) from the left and about 18cm (7”) from the top, place your first pocket and pin. Sew the pocket to the calico part of the calendar by sewing down one side of the pocket, across the bottom, and up the other side of the pocket, leaving the top edge open. Secure the pocket well by reversing at both the start and end of sewing (at the top of the pocket on both sides).

2. Measure 2.5cm (1”) to the right of the first pocket and pin the next pocket in place, making sure it is level with the first pocket. You can pin all the pockets in this way and then sew them if you wish, until you’ve sewn all four in the top row.

13. Measure down 2.5cm (1”) from the top row and pin and sew the next row of pockets, making sure the row is level and that they line up with the pockets in the row above. Continue until all pockets are attached. Snip all threads if you haven’t already.

14. Using the template provided, trace the words ‘countdown til Christmas’ onto the transfer paper. Cut roughly around each letter and then iron the letters to scraps of coloured Christmas fabric. Now cut carefully around the outline of each letter

15. Peel the backing paper off the letters and position the letters above the pockets. Press letters in place with a hot iron.

If you like to applique the letters, you can do that now (alternatively, you can applique the letters onto the backing right at the beginning before attaching the interfacing, if that’s easier for you).

I ‘cheated’ (read: ran out of time, need to move on to the next project). Instead of sewing around the edges, I painted them with a mixture of white paint and PVA glue to prevent fraying. The picture doesn’t do it justice, but it looks really funky with the white-painted outline.

16. Cut the dowel rod to size and insert it through the dowel pocket. Add your special advent treats to each pocket, hang, and you’re done!