Welcome to Day #4 of the 12 Days of Christmas: Fig Tree Style! Each day we will have a different kit, a different sale and even a few giveaways along the way. Join us each day so that you don't miss out on a single thing. We are so excited to share all of our goodies with you!
Day #4
I know its a little bit late for this, but that's just how we roll around here. This morning I realized that I had wanted to share this super simple advent calendar that we created as a family last year. It works with any age kids! So before we share today's special, here is a quick how to on the calendar.
OUR FAMILY ADVENT CALENDAR
Quick Steps to Make Your Own:
Step 1: Quilt a 27" x 36" piece or use an already quilted scrap. Even easier, start with a pre-quilted piece of fabric- we used a pre-quilted cream flannel that we like to keep on had for projects just like this one. Trim it down to 23" x 32".
Step 2: Cut (4) 3 1/4" strips of red binding. Join pieces and bind the background piece all the way, making 1/2" wide binding [which basically means that you sew exactly like a standard quilt binding but 1/2" away from the edge instead of the standard 1/4" seam allowance].
Step 3: Cut (25) 3 1/2" x 8 1/2" pocket pieces in a variety of reds, creams, green and greys.
Step 4: Fold the pocket pieces in half lengthwise so that the piece you have is 3 1/2" x 4 1/4". Sew up the 2 sides and turn inside out.
You will now have a pocket that has the fold on one end, raw edges on one end and sewn up sides. Press well. Do this for all 25 pockets.
Step 5: Using your favorite erasable pen, make the following lines horizontally across the calendar:
6 1/2" from the top
5 3/4" from the previous line
5 3/4" from the previous line
5 3/4" from the previous line
5 3/4" from the previous line.
Step 6: You will have a total of 5 lines along which you will align the 5 pockets on each line. I worked from the center of each line, centered the middle pocket and then positioned the remaining 4 approximately 1 1/4" away from each other on both sides.
Working one row at a time, position the pockets as described above, with the raw edges 1/4" above your marked line, with the pocket facing downwards. Pin each pocket in place and sew on the marked line with a 1/4" seam allowance, backstitching well on both ends. Repeat for all 5 pockets in that line.
Step 7: Flip the pocket up so that the raw edge bottom is now hidden "inside" the pocket. Stitch up both sides of the pocket. I angled the edges of the pockets in a tiny bit in order to create some "room" inside the pocket. If you sewed up the side in a perfectly straight line, you would get a perfectly flat pocket. But if you nudge the top of the pocket into the center a bit and sew it up, then you will create a bit of "pocket" each time. Repeat for all the pockets, all the rows.
Step 8: Press some fusible webbing product such as Wonder Under onto a couple of coordinating charm squares or scraps. Hand out the backed scraps to your family members and tell them to cut out whatever Christmas images they would like. When they are finished, simply press the images onto a few of the pockets. I don't know how many years this calendar will last, but the family sure did have a lot of fun making it! I wonder if everyone will remember which cut outs are theirs. I wonder if the husband will fess up to which one was his too LOL!
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As for the Day #4 Special... All MODA Snuggle fabrics are 15% off! We have coral, aqua, cream and yellow and let me tell you that they make the most beautiful and snuggly quilt backings you have ever felt!
For any quilt up to a 60" lap size, you won't even have to piece the back because MODA Snuggles are 60" wide.
Our favorite way to use them... is on the front and back for kid's quilt. Cut up a few strips or squares of your favorite Snuggles colors, sew them together into a simple quilt top, back it in their favorite Snuggle color and that will be the quilt that they don't want to part with!
My 10 yr. old son's favorite one has a bunch of strips and a giant cotton fabric "Z" appliqued right in the middle. My daughter's, has a few appliqued flowers and a ruffle from our Whimsy Fresh pattern. The possibilities are endless!
We use Snuggles for everything from scarves, to stuffed animals, to pincushions, to slipper linings to baby blankets....
12 Days of Christmas Special Day #4:
All Snuggle colors and Snuggle related patterns are 15% off
[through Wednesday].