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Sewing for Christmas has never been so easy!
With the Nativity Advent Calendar fabric panel from my Come Let Us Adore Him Fabric collection, anyone can make an advent calendar to use year after year. (Fabric release date: May 2025)
All it takes is ironing and straight stitching – it’s a lot easier to sew together than you might think. This is a great sewing for beginners project or something you can teach a child to sew to pass on your love of sewing while making memories. Be sure to have some candy on hand (even if it’s not December) to really cement that memory!
THE ART
This collection was a labor of love with a side of self-doubt and frustration. I don’t usually paint people so figuring out a way to represent all of the characters of the Nativity so the faces didn’t distract from the feeling of the scenes.
I painted all of the images by hand in watercolors and then scanned them into my computer. Their next stop was Photoshop where I combined things into the scenes you see in the fabric line and the 24 pockets of the advent calendar. Learn more about the process and watch a short video.
I don’t sell my fabric because I want to support all the wonderful shops that carry the lines. Ask for this and other collections where you love to buy fabric.
Watch the video and learn how to sew the advent calendar panel with quilt binding
Shortcuts to Specific Topics
00:40 Supplies
02:49 Prepare advent calendar fabric panel
03:17 Make the dowel rod sleeve
04:47 How to iron the advent calendar fabric panel
07:26 Sew dowel rod cover to backing
08:31 How to pull up bobbin thread
09:23 Layer and sew advent calendar together
10:51 How to use a quilt pin setting tool
11:48 Sew the advent calendar pockets
12:26 Trim and bind advent calendar
13:13 How to sew binding onto corners
14:42 A quick way to match the ends of binding
16:55 Press binding to the back
18:15 Bind by hand or machine? Pros & Cons
19:23 How to glue baste binding
20:42 Make fabric strap for hanging
21:23 Add strap and fill with candy
If you want to keep it simpler that the more quilted method I showed in the video, the fabric panel comes with directions right on the side!
Want more ideas with this fabric?
There is a free quilt pattern as well as two quilt patterns and a table runner for sale. Learn more about the patterns on this blog post.
Click here for more Christmas themed sewing and quilting projects.
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If you make this or other projects and post on Instagram, be sure to tag me (@artisttarareed). Follow my YouTube channel for new sewing projects and tips every week.
Tara Reed
2 Comments on Nativity Advent Calendar Fabric Panel – Sewing for Christmas
Thank you for doing the video on the Advent calendar. When I read the directions on the fabric I was not sure about step 1. Cut out printed panel. I didn’t know what to cut. The video made it very easy. I have made three. I showed a friend who wants one for her granddaughter. The shop I bought this from is about an hour and a half away. I would be able to get back to buy more. Thanks again.
I’m so glad the video was helpful and you are enjoying the Advent calendars. Have a very happy holiday season!