Sew Your Own Christmas Decorations

Like to make your own advent calendar you can hang on the wall and fill with your own special treats for the kids? How about making your own Christmas stocking to hang by the fireplace, or make your own gift bags for all those Christmas presents? In this article I'll show you how you can easily sew these at home, and for a fraction of the price you would pay at the shops.

Advent Calendar

This advent calendar is basically a rectangle of material, with 25 pockets sewn on (all numbered of course) that you can hang on the wall and fill with special treats and sweets for the children.

Suitable Fabrics & Notions

For the backing fabric you need something fairly thick to take the weight of the treats that will be placed in the pockets.

I actually recommend felt for the backing, for the pockets and for the numbers 1 to 25 (denoting the countdown to Christmas). The beauty of felt is you don't need to hem it as it doesn't fray. Try getting 3 different colours – say green for the backing, red for the pockets, and white for the numbers.

We'll also need 2 pieces of thin wood for the top and bottom of the hanger, and some string or rope for hanging.

How Much Fabric to Buy

For the backing fabric, you will need One Piece, 50" tall by 22" wide. This allows for a 3" hem to fold over your wood and stitch. If your wood is wider than this, then you will need to get a longer piece of fabric.

Each pocket is 4" square, and we need 25 of these. So you will need 20" by 28".

We will allow 3" square for each letter. So you will need 15" by 15". For a template of the numbers, see the author resource box at the end of this article.

Please note, these measurements do not allow for any  hemming as I am using felt, however if you choose to use a different fabric which requires hems, then you will need to add on a seam allowance for both the height and width.

To Make Up

For the preparation work, all you need are pins or tailors chalk, a ruler, the number templates and your scissors. No pattern required!

First of all, cut out your 25 pockets. You can use a ruler and tailors chalk to mark guidelines for cutting. If you don't have tailors chalk a white coloured pencil will do the trick! The pockets are all 4" by 4".

Now cut out and pin your numbers to the number fabric and cut out.

To attach the numbers to the pockets you can either machine stitch, hand stitch, or use craft glue.

Lay your backing fabric on a table and mark out where the pockets are to be placed using pins or tailors chalk. We will have 4 pockets across, then 6 down, and the number 25 pocket will be on it's own at the bottom (although feel free to change this layout if you wish).

Each pocket has a 2" gap around it. So the first pocket will be 5" down from the top of the fabric (remember we have allowed 3" for the wood hanger to go through) and 2" in from the left. The next pocket is 2" from the previous. To see a diagram of this layout, see the author resource box.

Pin in place, and then machine stitch along the left, bottom and right sides.

Cut your wood pieces so that one is slightly shorter than your width (for the bottom hem, so you can enclose it), and one slightly longer (say 1/2" each side). Drill small holes at each end of this longer piece so you can thread through your hanging string or rope.

When all of your pockets are attached, use your machine to sew the top and bottom hems, and then insert your wood. You may want to close off the edges of the bottom hem if it is likely that the wood could come out. You can do this by hand.

Now attach the rope through the holes in the top piece of wood and hang. And don't forget to fill with treats!

Gift Bag

It's simple to make a Christmas gift bag to delight friends and family, and it's reusable!

Suitable Fabrics & Notions

For the bag you need something fairly thick so that it can stand on it's own without any gifts in it. Again, I recommend felt. The beauty of felt is you don't need to hem it as it doesn't fray.

If you'd like to decorate the bag with fabric cut-outs in Christmas shapes, you can use any fabric you like (again, felt is suitable for this). For a template of Christmas cut-outs, see the author resource box at the end of this article.

How Much Fabric to Buy

The bag measures 8" across and 12" high, and you'll need two pieces of fabric for the sides, and one piece 3" wide by 24" long for the side.  Adding on a half inch seam allowance, we'll need a piece of fabric 13" by 24".

The Pattern

To make your pattern, you just need a piece of paper, a ruler, and a compass (or something circular with a diameter of 8" and another with a diameter of 4").

Draw a square on the paper 8" by 8". Now place an x every 2" on the top line of your square. Place your compass on the midpoint (at the 4" mark) and extend it so that it exactly touches one of the outer edges. Now use your compass to draw a semicircle from one side to the other. Then retract the compass so that it exactly touches one of the 2" marks, and draw a semicircle from one side to the other. Cut out the middle and you now have a bag handle!

Don't cut it out yet! We still have to add on seam allowance to the left and right sides and bottom so we can attach the side piece which will join the two larger pieces together.

Draw a line ½" out from each of the left and right sides and along the bottom. This is your cutting template. To see a diagram of this, see the author resource box at the end of this article.

Fold the bag fabric in half, right sides together. Pin on your bag template and cut out.

Now fold out the remaining fabric flat, and cut a long rectangle 24" by 4" (this allows for a ½" seam either side).

To Make Up

If you are going to decorate your gift bag with Christmas cut-outs, do it now before we assemble the bag. The cut-outs can either be machine sewn, hand sewn, or attached with craft glue.

To make the bag, take the long rectangular piece of fabric and, with right sides together, pin it to the front of the bag. Sew. Now attach the back of the bag along the other edge (right sides together) and sew.

Turn the right way around, and you're done!

Christmas Stocking

Home made Christmas Stockings can be personalised for each family member – why not involve the kids in making and decorating them!

Suitable Fabrics & Notions

The sky's the limit for Christmas stockings. Some beautiful fabrics include velvet and velveteen, faux fur, plush, as well as patterned cottons and ginghams. Search through the remnant bins, or just check out all the red fabrics at your local fabric shop.

You may also want to get some White Faux fur as a trimming for the top of your stocking, and some fabric for Christmas cut-outs to decorate the stocking.

What does look nice is a contrast trim with each child's name on it.

How Much Fabric to Buy

The stocking basically consists of one rectangle 6" by 14" and a square 6" by 6". You'll need two of these for each stocking, so, including a ½" seam allowance, you'll need a piece of fabric 14" by 15" per stocking.

You'll also need some matching braid to hang the stocking, or you can make a hanger using the leftover fabric.

The Pattern

To make your pattern, you just need a piece of paper, a ruler, and something circular to round off the corners. (To see a diagram of this pattern, see the author resource box at the end of this article).

Draw a rectangle on your paper 15" long by 7" wide. Now draw a square touching the bottom left hand side of your rectangle which goes out for 6½" and up for 7", then join it back on to your rectangle.

You should now have a shape that looks like a backwards capital L. Now all you need to do is round off the heel and toe of your stocking using something circular (or do it freehand).

Fold your fabric in half with right sides together, and pin the stocking pattern to the fabric. Now cut out.

If you are making a contrasting trim for your stocking, you'll also need to cut out a rectangle 13" long and however wide you want your trim (plus ½" seam allowance).

To Make Up

If you are going to decorate your stocking with Christmas cut-outs or appliqués, do it now before we assemble the stocking. The cut-outs can either be machine sewn, hand sewn, or attached with craft glue.

The same goes for your contrast trim. Any thing you ant to attach should be done before we sew it on to the stocking.

To make the stocking, pin the two stocking pieces (right sides together), and sew from the top of one side all the way around to the top of the other side. If you are not attaching a contrasting trim, turn over your top hem and pin, remembering to insert the braid or fabric for the hanger before you sew the hem.

If you are using a contrasting trim, turn your stocking inside out so that the right side is now facing you.

Stitch the trim together at the ends so you now have a circle of fabric. Place your trim inside the top of the stocking with the right side facing towards the inside of the stocking. Match the top of your trim to the top of the stocking, and pin in place.

Take your braid or fabric for the hanger, and insert it where you want it between the trim and stocking with the open ends flush with the top of the trim and the stocking. Now sew around the entire top of the stocking. Turn the trim right way around, and you're done!

About the Author

Diane Ellis has been sewing since she was very young and got her first sewing machine at 6 years old (albeit a miniature one!). She sews purely for friends and family, and enjoys making her own patterns. She is the co-author of the website Sewing4Dummies.com where you'll find other great free patterns and templates for Christmas Gift ideas. Also, for a limited time, you can sign up for a free 6 part sewing course called Easy Fun Sewing Projects.

How to Sew a Messenger Bag : Cutting Fabric for Sewing A Messenger Bag

US Auctions Australian Auctions Austrian Auctions Belgian Auctions Canadian Auctions French Auctions German Auctions Irish Auctions Italian Auctions Dutch Auctions Spanish Auctions Swiss Auctions GB Auctions

Best Match Items Ending First Newly-Listed Items First Price + Shipping: Lowest First Price + Shipping: Highest First

Victorian Batiste Fabric 100 Cotton White Ivory Pink Blue Heirloom Sewing++ $10.99 Time Remaining: 3d 7h 18m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 Buy It Now

15 yds X 43 White Vintage Organdy Organza 100 Cotton Sewing Fabric Lot Dolls $6.99 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 27m

Cotton Approx 20 yds Fabric Quilt Craft Sew Mix Lot A Medium Flat Rate Box Full $16.25 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 22h 16m

9 yards Lot Cotton Flannel Bright Color Fabrics Sewing Quilt Craft $19.95 Time Remaining: 3d 14h 45m

13 yards Lot of Cotton Quilt Craft Sewing Variety Fabrics Some Vintage $17.50 (30 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 17h 46m

ESTATE WHITE MILL CLOTH COTTON QUILT MUSLIN TYPE BACKING SEWING NR $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2d 6h 47m

06mm Thick Pleather Faux Leather Sewing Fabric Purse handbags bags Supplies $7.99 Time Remaining: 24d 1h 9m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now

Blue Assortment of 100 Cotton Quilting Sewing Fabric $4.25 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 16h 42m

1 1 2 yds X 38 Vintage Peach Organza Organdy 100 Cotton Sewing Fabric Lot Doll $4.99 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 30m

1lb 13oz 100 Cotton Quilting Sewing Fabric BRIGHTS $5.00 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 14h 20m

5 Metres Lilac Raw Silk Fabric Material Interior Clothes Dress Sewing Costume $25.27 Time Remaining: 13h 58m

16+ yards Lot of Vintage Cotton Small Floral Quilt Craft Sewing Fabrics $12.00 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 16h 10m

4 Pieces Miscellaneous Fabric w Sewing Theme3 Yards + 8 $9.99 Time Remaining: 28d 16h 7m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now

8+ pound lbs huge lot vintage new quilt sew cotton fabric pieces remnants $39.00 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 20h 11m

Ivory Victorian Asian Parasol Umbrella Fans Sewing Cotton Quilting Fabric BTY $7.95 Time Remaining: 1h 29m

Christmas Holiday Teddy Bear Santa Sewing Fabric 6 Placemat Panels $9.99 Time Remaining: 1h 34m

Vintage Pink embroidered trim for Bluette Kish Wiggs doll sewing Beautiful $7.99 Time Remaining: 10h 19m

CLEARANCE 3+YDS SIMPLE PLEASURES SAMPLER FLANNEL QUILT SEWING FABRIC $19.70 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 33m Buy It Now for only: $19.70 Buy It Now

4 quilt sew cotton fabric fat quarters 1 yard marbled tonals bundle lot $7.50 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 20h 22m

THIMBLEBERRIES COVER STORY BROWN Fabric OOP 4 1 3yds 2007 sew quilt craft NEW $14.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 14h 30m

THIMBLEBERRIES SUBTLE SOLIDS BLUE Fabric OOP 5yds 2008 sew quilt craft NEW $14.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3d 14h 39m

THIMBLEBERRIES SUBTLE SOLIDS GOLD Fabric OOP 3 3 4yds 2008 sew quilt craft NEW $11.99 Time Remaining: 3d 14h 43m

VINTAGE SHEER FABRIC BRIGHT COLORS RED FLOWERS DANCING SEW CLOTH RARE 3 YARDS $8.99 Time Remaining: 4h 6m Buy It Now for only: $10.95 Buy It Now

NEW LORALIE SEW CREATIVE SEWING QUILT FABRIC PANEL 21 BLOCK FLIP FLOP HIGH HEELS $9.25 Time Remaining: 29d 11h 50m Buy It Now for only: $9.25 Buy It Now

SEW FANCY LORALIE HARRIS SEWING MACHINES $3.99 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 17h 21m

Lot of 41 Yards Sewing Fabric for CraftingQuilting and Sewing $19.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 21h 2m

Sewing Fabric Bundle Frogs More Frogs Over 9 yards of fabric $10.00 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 30m

Cotton Fabric Purple Watercolor Roses on Purple 3 YDS Quilt Sew $12.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 21h 3m

Christmas Holiday Toy Trains Holly Berry Bows Sewing Cotton Quilting Fabric BTY $6.95 Time Remaining: 1h 32m

Pleather Faux Leather Sewing Fabric fr Purse handbags bags Making Supplies tool $7.99 Time Remaining: 21d 12h 39m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now

100 WOOL FOR SEWING RUG BRAIDING CRAFTS CREAM 25 YARDS NEW $45.00 Time Remaining: 12h 8m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 Buy It Now

145 1 3 4 yards Cotton Cotton Blend STAR WARS quiltingcraftssewing $6.30 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 20h 6m

2 YARDS 100 COTTON FABRICWILDFLOWERS IIIBY MODA 44 INCH FABRIC SEWING CRAFTS $4.53 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 10h 30m

Corn Shuck dolls quilt sew cotton fabric almost 5 yards $5.99 Time Remaining: 12h 49m

BUTTON NEEDLE THREAD SCISSORS QUILT SEWING SPOT 100 COTTON FABRIC VA06 per FQ $2.51 Time Remaining: 20d 15h 35m Buy It Now for only: $2.51 Buy It Now

Fleece Sewing Fabric Material 2 1 2 ydsx 60 in Black with Shaded Leaves $8.50 Time Remaining: 6h 5m

THIMBLEBERRIES VINTAGE STITCHES Fabric OOP 3 1 2yds 2005 sew quilt craft NEW $10.99 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 14h 24m

Fleece Sewing Fabric Material 2 ydsx 60 in Granny Square Design Pastels $8.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 6h 5m

Fleece Sewing Fabric Material 2 ydsx 60 in Blue Green Check $7.99 Time Remaining: 6h 16m

Blue navy camouflage fabric material medium heavy broadcloth 94x70 NEW sewing $12.99 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 6m Buy It Now for only: $22.00 Buy It Now

BLACK + WHITE 1 WIDE STRIPES JAILHOUSE PRISON REFEREE SEWING 60 FABRIC BTHY $2.75 Time Remaining: 25d 26m Buy It Now for only: $2.75 Buy It Now

Navy cotton fabric white micro dots 2 yards quilt sew love $4.99 Time Remaining: 12h 35m

Coca Cola Polar Bear Fabric 2 Yards Quilting Sewing $14.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 22h 36m

satin silkly quilt sew craft fabric over 9 yards huge lot 3 pounds bridal $6.99 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 17m

Disney MICKEY MOUSE Blue Denim Pockets quilt Sew Fabric 41 inches RARE $14.95 Time Remaining: 16h 10m

Lot 20 Yards Patterns Quality Cotton Fabric Quilt Sew Craft $39.00 Time Remaining: 5d 10h 39m

2 yard Cotton Net Lace Fabric for sewing and Mosquito net Fabric $13.10 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 25m Buy It Now for only: $13.10 Buy It Now

Country Farm Back Porch Barnyard Apple Trees Sewing Cotton Quilting Fabric BTY $6.95 Time Remaining: 1h 56m

Blue Hill Repro Floral Cotton Quilt Sew Fabric 1 YD Peach Floral $5.50 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 17h 20m

NEW LOT OF 2 PIECES FABRIC FOR QUILT TOP CRAFT OR SEWING PROJECTS $5.99 Time Remaining: 21h 48m

Asian Chinese Japanese Parasols Umbrellas Cotton Sewing Quilting Fabric 44w BTY $6.95 Time Remaining: 2h 12m

Gingher G-8 8-Inch Knife-Edge Dressmaker's Shears List Price: $37.10 Sale Price: $27.34 You save: $9.76 (26%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description The classic 8" knife edge dressmaker's shears with bent handle by Gingher. This sharp, strong, knife edge cuts multiple layers of fabric. The longer length of cut is ideal for patterns and trimming seams...

One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects; Look How Much You Can Make with Just One Yard of Fabric! List Price: $22.95 Sale Price: $13.04 You save: $9.91 (43%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description With more than 200,000 copies in print, Storey's One-Skein Wonders series is an unqualified success. Now, for the first time in the series, fabric takes center stage! And the timing couldn't be better...

One-Yard Wonders: 101 Fabulous Fabric Projects List Price: $22.95 See Reviews For This Product Description With more than 200,000 copies in print, Storey's One-Skein Wonders series is an unqualified success. Now, for the first time in the series, fabric takes center stage! And the timing couldn't be better...

Fiskars 95217097 45 mm Rotary Cutter List Price: $17.00 Sale Price: $12.74 You save: $4.26 (25%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Fiskars 45mm Rotary Cutter is a superior rotary cutter that is ideal for cutting through heavy stock or multiple layers of fabric, paper, felt, vinyl, cardboard, mat board, cloth, leather, and fiberglass material...

Alex Toys My First Sewing Kit List Price: $25.99 Sale Price: $16.00 You save: $9.99 (38%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description A case full of everything you need to learn how to sew and create fantastic art and fashions. This sewing set inculdes precut patterns for quick and easy projects, eight colors of embroidery floss, stuffing fabric, ric-rac, needles, scissors, a measuring tape, straight pins, thimble, pin cushion, buttons, and a pom-pom strip.

Sock and Glove: Creating Charming Softy Friends from Cast-Off Socks and Gloves List Price: $12.95 Sale Price: $7.89 You save: $5.06 (39%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Easy to make...easy to love! Sock and Glove presents thirteen delightful softy projects that are quick to make-and certain to amuse and delight. Full of individuality and mischief, these stuffed creations are all pieced together from ordinary socks, gloves, and mittens...

3M Scotchgard 4206D Fabric Protector for Needlecraft and Sewing, 10-Ounce Sale Price: $10.48   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product

AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter List Price: $349.00 Sale Price: $206.00 You save: $143.00 (41%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Love to quilt, but hate to cut? The AccuQuilt GO! Fabric cutter is a fast and precise fabric cutting system that allows quilters to cut fabrics as much as 90% faster than scissors or rotary cutting. You can cut an entire quilt in minutes: the number of layers you can cut at one time depends only on the thickness of the material! Its patented revolutionary portable design allows you to carry and cut wherever you go: to classes, retreats, guild meetings, and quilting bees...

Wiss 1570B Quick-Clip Lightweight Speed Cutting Scissor Sale Price: $8.06   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description 1570B Point Shape: Sharp (part# 1570B) This item features: -Stainless steel replaceable blades. -Positive spring-action reopens blades for fast cutting. -Heavy duty contour design. -Overall Length: 4 3/4 in...

Permatex 25247 Fabric Repair Kit List Price: $11.79 Sale Price: $11.30 You save: $0.49 (4%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Repairs automobile upholstery, carpet, clothing and furniture.

Printed Treasures Printable Fabric Sew-on Sheets $15.24 Add a burst of color and intricate design to your next craft project with this Printed Treasures printer fabric sheet packSheets are sew-on fabric for printing photos, patterns or designs of any typeCrafts item features 200 thread count sheets

Claire Shaeffer`s Fabric Sewing Guide (Paperback) $23.21 A new, full-color edition of this reference that has been completely revised contains the answers to the most common fabric-sewing questions as well as details about the latest advancements in sewing, easy-to-read charts for needle sizes and thread, in...

Anna Maria`s Needleworks Notebook (Paperback) $15.82 Come embroider alongside admired fabric designer Anna Maria HornerAdmired for her luminous palette and innovative patterns, Anna Maria`s brand means color and inspiration in the form of fabric, sewing pattern, needlework patterns, books, and ...