My children love when I pull out this handmade advent Calendar on the first of December. They take turns each day putting the next ornament on the tree, counting down the days until Christmas. You can also include a little treat in each pocket with the ornaments. The calendar makes a beautiful heirloom decoration and a wonderful Christmas gift for a loved one.

When you purchase this pattern, you will be prompted to save several different files. There are separate files for the pattern and each version of the instructions so save paper by printing only the version of the instructions that you will be using.

Though this pattern does offer a no-sew version, the sewn versions are much more attractive so if you are able to sew by hand or with a machine, those will produce a superior end product. If you cannot sew at all, practice with your fabric glue and your hot glue gun beforehand to ensure a steady hand and delicate, even application of the glue.

I am a firm believer in using what you have. You do not need to follow this pattern exactly. If you want to save money by using fewer colors of felt, do so! I used many colors because I had many scraps of fabric in all colors. You don't need to buy a full sheet of blue felt to make one tiny blue ornament, for example. If you want to use a scrap of a different color, do so. You can save money on supplies by using what you have left in another color. The same goes for the thread.

For the felt, any type is acceptable, though I prefer to use eco-fi felt. It is made from recycled materials and is thin enough to double up without becoming too bulky. I love using glitter felt for these advent calendars whenever possible. Eco-fi makes red, green, and white felt with glitter that look beautiful.

If it saves time or if you find any of the ornaments too difficult to get right, you can leave them out and simply make two of another style of ornament in different colors.

Stitches Used in Hand-Sew Version:

- blanket stitch
- running stitch
- French knot
- whip stitch
- satin stitch

You will need:

- One 18 x 36 inch piece of white felt (a 3x3 sheet of felt cut in half will make 2 advent calendars)
- metallic gold thread (sewing versions only)
- gold or brass seed beads (sewing versions only)
- 25 buttons that are 1/2 inch wide
- 2 buttons that are 1/4 inch wide, optional (for gingerbread man buttons)
- embroidery floss in several colors. (no-sew and machine sew versions require one hank of white embroidery thread for hangers, the rest of the colors are for the hand-sew version only) Colors used in the photos are white, red, green, brown, orange
- red satin ribbon, 1/4 inch wide and at least 12 inches long
- white satin ribbon, 1/4 inch wide and at least 5 inches long
- thread in the following colors (both sewing versions only): red, white, tan, green, pink, light blue, black
- squeezable fabric paint colors (no-sew and machine sew version only): clear or white, gold, black, green, red, blue, brown, orange.
- low temperature hot glue gun and glue sticks (no-sew version only)
- sewing and embroidery needles (hand-sew version only)
- fabric marking pen (I just use a thin felt-tip pen)
- pins (sewing versions only)
- fabric scissors
- fabric pinking shears (for the machine sew and no-sew versions only)
- 20 inch piece of dowel or a bamboo garden stake (as in photo) or stick
- 30 inch piece of ribbon or yarn in red, white, or green

9x12 felt sheets:

Green - 1 sheet
Dark green - 3-4 sheets
Light green - 1 sheet
Red - enough to make Twenty five 2.5 x 2.5 inch squares of red felt
White - 1 sheet
light blue - 1 sheet
blue - 1 sheet
tan - 1 sheet
brown - 1 sheet
yellow - 1 sheet
orange - 1 sheet
purple - 1 sheet
pink - 1 sheet

This pattern may be used to create advent calendars which are to be sold, but no part of this pattern itself may be offered for sale. The pattern is strictly for personal use.