DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar!
![DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar! DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar!](https://www.lifewithmylittles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/diy-pocket-advent-calendar1.jpg)
In college I took a “Religion in the Home” class where we learned about how different religions practice their beliefs in their homes. It was really a great class, and I loved seeing the similarities between Latter-day Saints and other religions. One of my favorite things that I learned about were advent calendars. I had never done an advent calendar (unless you count little chocolate ones) growing up, and I thought it would be a really fun way to celebrate the season and count down the days until Christmas. I wanted to make an advent calendar last year, but it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I finally got around to making one. And I am excited to share it with you!
![DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar! DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar!](https://www.lifewithmylittles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/pockets-up-close1.jpg)
This is a simple advent calendar that I made using fabric pockets, iron-on transfers, and my printer. I love the way it turned out!
![DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar! DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar!](https://www.lifewithmylittles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/advent-hung-up1.jpg)
It didn’t take very long to make, and I love that the pockets are big enough to put an object, a note, or a treat inside. I can really do whatever I want with the activities and little gifts for each day!
![DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar! DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar!](https://www.lifewithmylittles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/chocolate-in-advent1.jpg)
To make this advent calendar, here is what you need:
- 1 2/3 yd 38″ muslin
- 1/3 yd of four different Christmas fabrics
- Matching thread
- Iron-on Transfer Paper
- Printer
- Mini clothespins
- Twine
First, cut 24 rectangles of muslin 11″x 6 1/2″, and 24 rectangles (6 each) of your Christmas fabrics 11″x 3″.
![DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar! DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar!](https://www.lifewithmylittles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/1-2Bcut-2Brectangles1.jpg)
Second, fold your cotton Christmas rectangles hot-dog ways (yes, I just said that), wrong sides together, press, and sew the long edge with a 1/4″ seam.
![DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar! DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar!](https://www.lifewithmylittles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2-2Bfold1.jpg)
Third, sew them to the muslin with a 1/2″ seam. You will want to line up the sewn side with the raw edge of the muslin (see picture).
![DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar! DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar!](https://www.lifewithmylittles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/3-2Bsew-2Bto-2Bmuslin1.jpg)
Fourth, fold the pocket together, right sides together, and sew along the bottom and side with a 1/2″ seam.
![DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar! DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar!](https://www.lifewithmylittles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/4.-2Bsew-2Bedges1.jpg)
Fifth, turn right-side out and press.
![DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar! DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar!](https://www.lifewithmylittles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/5.-2Bflip-2Band-2Bpress1.jpg)
Sixth, open up a word document and type 1-24. Use the grid on your document and make sure that your numbers are smaller than 5×5.5″. Then print on light iron-on transfer paper and transfer your numbers to your pockets. Make sure you mirror-image print, or you will waste a lot of transfer paper. You can try doing one of those fancy tutorials people have posted on Pinterest using wax paper, but I could never get it to work for me (crappy printer?). Transfer paper is the easiest way to go.
![DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar! DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar!](https://www.lifewithmylittles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/iron-on-numbers1.jpg)
Seventh, hang up your adorable advent calendar garland and you are done!
![DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar! DIY Advent Calendar Garland: Simple fabric pockets make up this cute and easy Christmas advent calendar!](https://www.lifewithmylittles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/hang-up11.jpg)
What kinds of things do you put in your advent calendar?
Samsam Cherie says
What a great idea!!!! My siblings and I always had Christmas count-downs growing up, whether they were Advent calendars, chocolate-filled pockets, paper chains, or nativity play sets that let you add one character per day throughout the season. It's such a great way to get excited about the holidays. My mom would only let us add our piece/take our chocolate/etc. if we were GOOD that day, and let me tell you, it didn't always happen! It was just a little incentive for us to be on our best behavior and be rewarded at the end of the day with a treat 🙂
Your pockets turned out so well! Way to go!
Britni says
This is so cute Chelsea! Love it.
Katie Clark says
This is so cute! I loved the advent calendar that my mom had for us growing up. I think it's such a fun tradition!
Chelsea says
Thank you! I love it, too!
Chelsea says
Fun! I haven't heard of little nativity sets, but I love that idea! I think as my kids get older I may have to take some of your tips!
Chelsea says
Agreed! I can put little slips of paper with activities or little treats and stuff. I can't wait to try it out!!
Chelsea says
I wish we had had one growing up. I'm excited my kids will! And thanks!
Jennifer says
We had an advent calender when I was growing up and a absolutely loved it. I got so excited counting down to Christmas! I love that the pockets on your calender are big enough to fit candy or other small objects. A lot of the advent calenders sold in stores are too small.
Jessica says
Ohhhh you are so crafty, I love the things you make, they're always so cute! I've never done an advent calendar either but I know my boys would loooove to do one, especially if they had little treats in them!
Chelsea says
Thanks! I am sure Little J will look forward to opening each pocket each day when they involve treats, too!
Stacy says
This is such a cute idea! What font did you use?
Chelsea Johnson says
It’s the Sketch Block font!