Handcrafted Advent Calendar Tutorial

Happy Christmas Cheer! Here it is.  My 1st Handmade Advent Calendar.

This advent calender tutorial is based largely on the beautiful work and templates of Allsorts.  Please check out her blog, it is home to a very talented illustrator and designer, Jenny B Harris.

You will need:
2 x Red cotton fabric 60cm x 90cm (this includes allowances)
Wadding 55cm x 80cm
White felt (1 metre was more than enough)
Various red buttons - all shapes and sizes, the more the merrier
Red embroidery floss
Red cotton thread
Ribbon 1metre
Cane 70cm long
11 x Envelope templates from Allsorts
Use the finished envelope square template for 12 x pockets

Step 1:
Pin the envelope template to the felt and cut out x 11
Pin the square template to the felt and cut out x 12
Use two envelope templates, pin and cut out x 1

Step 2:
Fold all envelopes up from the bottom to the top, leave flap bit open
Using an Over Stitch sew all around the envelope, start at the bottom right hand corner at the fold, stitch up and over the top of the flap and down the other side until you reach the left hand bottom corner.
Fold the flap down, embroider with a Back Stitch the number 1
Sew on a red button
From the middle of the inside of the envelope thread a piece of thread with a knot in through
Wrap the thread around the button to secure the envelope closed

Repeat this process with all odd numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23

 I embroidered the numbers in a variety of different styles, shapes and sizes

Step 3:
For the square pockets I purchased ready-made red felt numbers from Felt Better on EBAY
Using all-purpose or fabric glue, stick the felt numbers on the middle of the white felt square

Step 4:

Sew the red fabric pieces together with a 2cm seam allowance, leaving the top open
Turn the right way out, press

Step 5:
Insert the wadding
Ensure central and flat

Fold 2cm hem at the top, press

Fold again 6cm, press

Sew across the top to seal in hems, leaving a space to insert the cane 

Insert cane
Tie the ribbon at each end to hold cane in place and hang

 I added 2 sparkling heart buttons at each corner with contrasting white thread

Step 6:
Remove the cane and ribbon, so you can feed through the sewing machine
Lay out all the envelopes and square pockets in order with a 1.5cm gap between them side by side and top to bottom

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

6, 7, 8, 9, 10

11, 12, 13, 14, 15

16, 17, 18, 19, 20

21, 22, 23

24

Pin the pockets and remove the envelopes for the time being, just while you sew the pockets on

 Sew the pockets down across and up, leave the top open

Step 7:
Using all-purpose or fabric glue, stick on all the envelopes
Rest heavy books on top  of the whole calendar for an hour

Step 8:
Insert a special treat in each pocket

Your Handmade Advent Calendar is complete - Congratulations!

Select a very prominent place to hand your advent calendar - mines in the kitchen - above a very hot radiator, so no chocolates for Little Miss P this year!

A big thank you to Jenny B Harris - you were an inspiration.

So tomorrow evening we will be joining in with the village 'Christmas Lights On' event!  I am hoping for lots of mulled wine and a hog roast.

When and how will you commence the Christmas Cheer?  Would love to hear what everyone is up to over the next few weeks.

Nice to see you again

Xxx.