How To Sew An Advent Calendar

If you are looking for an easy sew advent calendar then today’s tutorial is for you! Advent calendars can be one of the most wasteful parts of the season, but with this DIY fabric advent calendar you can make reusable advent bags that can be used year after year. Here is how to sew an advent calendar.

*This post has been updated, it was first published in November 2018

How To Sew Your Own Advent Calendar 

I love Advent! The days leading up to Christmas are often more exciting to me than even the big day itself. But it can be a shame to spend money on something you just throw away, as well as being hard on your pocket! So this DIY advent calendar tutorial is definitely one of those sewing projects that can save you money and stop there being so much waste over the holiday season.

Furthermore, this advent calendar sewing project can be made using small pieces of festive fabric left over from other Christmas projects. I made my advent calendar pockets with some remnants that I found in my stash. And best of all, there is no advent calendar sewing pattern needed, even a beginner can make fabric advent calendar bags!

So what do we need to start sewing advent calendar pockets?

For Your DIY Pocket Advent Calendar You Will Need

• some pieces of fabric – I used Christmas fabric, 3 fat quarters sized or 3/4 metre.
• some pieces of white fabric or felt – OR some pre cut fabric/felt numbers
• a die-cutting machine and some vilene bondaweb OR a glue gun OR Cricut Cut Vinyl Iron On Numbers
• some thin (7mm) ribbon
• scissors, thread, and a sewing machine is best, though these bags could always be sewn by hand too!

I cut my fabric into 24 equal pieces.

each of mine measured 22cm by 12cm, but you can make these bags as big or small as you like!

I made the numbers to iron onto the bags

Vilene bondaweb (or fuse-a-web) is a double sided interfacing sheet with paper on one side of it. Using a pressing cloth, I ironed the sheet to bond to my white fabric.

Then, using my die cutting machine, I cut out the numbers needed for the numbers 1 to 24. These numbers can then just be ironed onto the bags.

I ironed the numbers onto the bags.

I folded one of the pieces in half and ironed it flat, so that the fold became the base. Then, I placed the number in the centre. You could also buy ready made adhesive numbers, stick numbers on with a glue gun, or even use fabric paint! You could appliqué the numbers, but this would take a while…

Sewing the bags together

(this takes less time with a machine but could be done by hand)

I folded over the top of each side of the bag wrong sides together by 1.5cm. Then, I sewed across this seam close to the raw edge using a 1cm seam allowance, making a casing for the ribbon drawstring. (which will be inside the bag once made)

Then, folding the fabric right sides together, so that the casings meet evenly at the top, I sewed the side seams. Starting just below the casing stitching at each side, I sewed down each side of the bag. I used the presser foot as a seam guide, making this a small 5mm allowance.

Turning the bag inside out, I pushed out the corners. The ribbon casing should be free of stitching at the sides.

Almost there! Last step was to pull some ribbon through the casing. I used a really long needle with an eye big enough to thread the ribbon through.

Knot the ribbon…And you have a completed bag!

Just another 23 to make.

The Finished Bags

And here they all are. Don’t you think that this is one of the easiest fabric advent calendars to make? My finished bags are 11cm by about 8cm, so a great size for some treats or a small figure.

Plus if you have felt it is possible to make an easy felt advent calendar in the same way.

Each of the bags can be used as decorations for the Christmas tree. They could be strung onto a garland. Though if you have seen my past Christmas posts I have some garlands already! I’m actually planning to use them as an addition to my  naughty elf this year in advent. The elf will be hiding somewhere new each day, and the bag will be with her. I can’t wait to see my little one’s face.

Have You Enjoyed This Post On How To Sew An Advent Calendar Fabric Project? Here Are Some Other Advent Calendar Kits To Sew And Make.

Why not read how I made an advent calendar from loo roll inners?

Or if you are looking for a more advanced fabric advent calendar pattern, this advent calendar panel is a great advent calendar for sewers to make.

What are you doing for advent this year? Are you looking forward to the holidays? Do let me know by following me on social media, or commenting below.

And why not pin this post for later?