How to Make an Advent Calendar for Sewers!

Create a unique gift for your favorite sewing friend – an Advent Calendar for sewers! Pattern features 12 spools of thread with small pockets to hold sewing notions and gifts. Not only are the pockets perfect for small sewing notions, the pockets also fit gift cards :)

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Hello! I’m so excited to share this fun new felt embroidery project with you today! A 12 day Advent Calendar for sewers. It’s the 12 Spools of Christmas! I wanted to make a sewing-themed Advent calendar for my mom and had a hard time finding one to purchase. The one I did find included tools I knew she already owned. I decided making my own would be the best option since I could then fill it with small gifts I picked out for her myself.

This sweet calendar is so fun to make and even more fun to receive as a gift. The small spool-shaped pockets are the perfect size for holding small sewing notions, treats, and gift cards. The calendar can be used for the 12 days leading up to Christmas with the 12th pocket opened on Christmas Day. Or gift this at Christmas and there will be 12 days of fun leading right into the New Year! 12 spools of thread ready to hold cute and handy sewing notions perfect for someone who loves to sew, cross stitch, embroider, and create.

Choosing the Materials

I designed the Advent Calendar to be made using felt. For my calendar I chose to use wool-blend felt from Benzie Design, arranged in an ombre of reds and greens. I picked out coordinating DMC embroidery floss. You could make the calendar in reds and greens as I have, or choose totally different colors. You could use a different color for each spool!

Below you can see the project prior to filling! A needle and swirly thread border finish the design. I also chose to alternate thread colors while stitching the thread but you could also keep it all one color.

Filling the Advent Calendar with Sewing-Themed Gifts

The little spool of thread pockets can be filled with sewing notions and are the perfect size for gift cards to local fabric and craft stores. I filled my pockets with all sorts of fun treasures!

Measuring tape
Needle minder
Pins
Needles
Decorative buttons
Thimble
Fabric labels that read “Handmade”
Stork embroidery scissors
Embroidery floss
Enamel Pin
Gift card to a local sewing store
Gift card to Joann Fabrics

Here are some fun ideas for small gifts that you could fill the calendar with all from Etsy sellers! I find the cutest and most unique things on Etsy, especially when it comes to sewing supplies. Plus, it’s wonderful to shop small businesses when you can!

12 Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Sewers

My calendar is held in a wooden frame that I removed the glass from. It is perfect for holding it and allows the calendar to be hung on a wall or leaned against the wall. You could also make this into a felt banner or wall hanging without the frame.

The Hand Embroidery

The entire project is hand sewn using simple stitches like the backstitch. You could also use a more simple running stitch or a fancier chain stitch. This is definitely a great project to stitch while watching your favorite Christmas movies! :)

Download the Pattern

The pattern is available in my Designing Cheerfully Etsy Shop and comes with a step-by-step picture tutorial. I’ve included a supply list and below you will find a list of the supplies with links. You can create this in any color scheme you wish. If you’d like to recreate my color palette, I’ve included a list of the felt colors I used from Benzie Design and the coordinating DMC floss with the picture tutorial.

Shop the Supplies I Used

More Fun Handmade Advent Calendars

Check out my other Advent calendars you can hand make for someone special!