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Advent Calendar Craft-Along: Preparation

This is Part 2 in the Advent Calendar Craft-Along. For more information and inspiration, read the introduction post here.

The concept

I’m making a felt Christmas tree, with little pockets below the tree. Each day, we’ll pull out a decoration from the pocket (and maybe a chocolate or two!) and hang it on a button on the tree – slowly decorating the tree as Christmas approaches. If I feel really inspired, maybe I’ll have Merry Christmas appliqued across the top (hmmm, let’s not get over-confident here!).

Here’s my dodgy, drawn-by-an-engineer sketch (not to scale):

Advent Calendar Sketch-001

I’ll need 24 decorations to hang. Hmmm, what are they all going to be? Here’s my first thoughts:

  • 1 star for the top of the tree (last one to go on!)
  • 4 presents under the tree (one for each family member)
  • 4 baubles (with a name on each one)
  • 2 candy canes
  • 1 angel
  • 1 Santa
  • 2 bells
  • 1 gingerbread man
  • 1 gingerbread lady
  • 2 sprigs holly
  • 1 snowman (resist the urge to make Olaf!)
  • 2 strings of lights
  • 2 pieces of tinsel

OK, I’m pretty sure that adds up to 24! So that’s the idea. The next step…

Getting supplies together

This is a stash-busting project for me. Here’s the supplies I can think of. I’m sure I’ll need to pick up a few extra things as I go:

    • Green felt yardage for the tree (leftover from my Felt Car Play Mat)
    • White quilter’s cotton for backing
    • Felt sheets – red, green, yellow, white, brown
    • Embroidery thread in matching colours
    • Red bias binding to finish off the edges
    • 24 buttons
    • Dowel for hanging
    • Ribbon for hanging
    • Sewing thread
    • Sewing machine
    • Hand needles

Advent Calendar CraftAlong Supplies (2)

I’m going to confess I’m cheating for the numbered pockets. I picked up this advent calendar placemat in the after-Christmas sales last year. I’m going to cut it up rather than appliqueing or embroidering my own numbers for the pockets.

Advent Calendar CraftAlong Supplies (1)

Now, how am I going to get this all done by the end of the month? Time for…

The Plan

  1. Cut out the tree shape and sew it to the backing fabric. This will feel like I’m making progress and hopefully keep me motivated.
  2. Sew all the numbered pockets to the backing fabric.
  3. Sew buttons onto the Christmas tree.
  4. Bind the edges of the backing fabric and add pocket for dowel and ribbon to hang.
  5. Start making decorations. If I get the first 4 steps done in a week, then I’ve got 3 weeks to do the decorations – so I need to make 8 per week – eek!
  6. (Optional, if I have time) Applique Merry Christmas across the top.

OK, that sounds like a lot of work, but I’m sure once I get into it, it won’t take long (no more procrastinating!). And if I’m get behind, it doesn’t matter if I finish off the decorations in December.

What plans have you made for your Advent Calendar?