How to make an advent calender

Gather your supplies. You will also need a sewing machine, matching threads , rotary cutter , board and ruler .

Cut 24 squares , 5inch x 5inch . I used 6 fabrics x 4 square. Cut 2 of 22 x 27 in main fabric and 1 of 22 x 27 in batting. Sew 6 squares together x 4 times

Press .5 an inch to the wrong side all around the 6 joined squares . Then press .25 of the .5 under again at the top only

Lay a length of lace across each row of 6 squares and sew in place

Turn the lace under at both ends

Print numbers off the computer in reverse . Trace 1 to 24 onto bondaweb and iron onto red felt . Then cut out your individual numbers.

Peel off the paper from the back of the number . Centralise the number on the lace strip and on each pocket and press in position.

Repeat on all 24 pocket

Sew a line down each number to secure

Sandwich the back , batting and front together . Lay the 1st row on the front spacing down 1.5 inches from top and 1.5 on either side

Sew the row in place and then sew down the join between each square to make individual pockets

Add the 2nd row . Spacing it 1 inch below the first row and 1.5 from either side as before.

Repeat for all 4 rows

Cut 6 lengths of ribbon x 8 inches. Fold in half and pin raw edges to the top of the back . The outer 2 placed .50 inch from sides and the rest spaced evenly between. Roughly 4 inches apart

Cut 2.6 mts of ribbon and fold in half lengthwise. Sew all around covering raw edges and overlap to finish

Point the hanging loops up and sew , making sure the are all the same length. If not adjust before you sew in place.