Advent Calendar DIY - Simple Sewing Tutorial

I had been planning to sew my own Advent calendar for such a long time, and I actually managed to finish it just in time! I am absolutely thrilled with how it turned out. For all the fellow sewists out there, I’ve also put together a quick last-minute DIY project, complete with a sewing pattern for this Advent calendar.

I believe that a calendar filled with little treats—building anticipation for the peaceful holiday season—is something everyone can enjoy, no matter their age. A handmade, sewn Advent calendar also makes for a wonderful gift during the lead-up to Christmas.

If you’d like to surprise your loved ones with a handmade Advent calendar, get your sewing machine ready—this project can be whipped up in no time at all!

Sewing an Advent Calendar

I will show you, step by step, how to sew 24 individual cone-shaped pouches—ready for you to fill—for your own Advent calendar.

Materials
Pattern (DOWNLOAD PDF HERE)
48 Christmas-themed fabric squares
24 squares of H 640 interfacing
Approx. 3.60 m of satin ribbon
24 Advent calendar clips
Matching thread
Pins, fabric scissors
Sewing machine

Step 1: Begin by cutting out 48 fabric squares and 24 squares of interfacing.

Step 2: Cut the satin ribbon into 24 pieces, each approximately 15 cm long, and iron the interfacing onto your first 24 fabric squares.

Step 3: Place the satin ribbon onto the right side of your fabric square (the one with the iron-on interfacing). To keep it from shifting, you can secure the satin ribbon in place using pins. 

 Next, place a second fabric square (without interfacing) on ​​top—right sides together—aligning it with the first square that has the satin ribbon. Sew along the marked line, keeping a presser-foot’s width away from the edge.

Step 4: Check that the satin ribbon is securely sewn in. Trim the corner at an angle, taking care not to cut into the seam.

Step 5: Unfold the fabric square, overlap the seam allowances, and sew along the marked line. Position the opening for turning—approximately 5 cm wide—on the fleece square.

Step 6: Trim the corners at an angle and turn your sewn piece right side out through the opening.

Step 7: Press everything smooth, fold the seam allowance at the turning opening inward, and close the opening with a straight stitch close to the edge. Alternatively, you can also close the 24 turning openings using a ladder stitch.

Step 8: Insert the lining fabric into the outer fabric and fold the pointed corner outward.

I have also decorated some of my little cone-shaped bags with a bow made using Kam Snaps.

Finally, thread the paper cones onto a cord (for example) and secure the satin ribbons using the Advent calendar clips*. 

 Tip: If you are securing your paper cones with simple clips, you can optionally add numbers to the folded-over corners using a vinyl cutter (plotter) or decorate them with Advent calendar buttons*.

I hope you enjoyed my DIY tutorial and that you will be happy with the result.