ITH Whimsical Advent Calendar

ITH Whimsical Advent Calendar

Designs by JuJu Exclusive

Celebrate Christmas for the whole month of December with our Whimsical Advent Calendar! Each of the 24 pockets can be filled with a piece of candy or small gift to count down the days to Christmas. Customize the applique designs with your own fabric and thread combinations; personalize the project with the font of your choice! This is sure to become a treasured family tradition year after year.

Available in two hoop sizes: 5x7 hoop and 6x10 hoop

Please note: a true 160x260 hoop is required for the 6x10 size (the 6x10 size will NOT fit in a 150x240 hoop)

Approximate finished sizes:

5x7 - overall calendar 16.5" x 34", individual pockets 2.25" x 2.25"
6x10 - overall calendar 24" x 48", individual pockets 3.25" x 3.25"

Requires 38 hoopings:

The first 12 hoopings will embroider the 24 pocket designs.
The following 26 hoopings will construct 35 blocks, including attaching the pocket designs to the pocket blocks.
Those blocks will then be joined together with your sewing machine. The backing, binding and tabs are added with your sewing machine.

NEEDED SUPPLIES (detailed cutting chart is included with purchase):

No Show Mesh Cut Away Stabilizer: enough for 38 hoopings
Fusible Fleece: 24 squares (5x7 size: 3"x3", 6x10 size: 4"x4")
Batting: enough for 26 hoopings
SF101 interfacing: We recommend adding SF101 to the background fabric of the blocks to prevent puckering when stitching out the details; enough for 26 hoopings
Applique Fabrics: assorted prints
Backing Fabric using self-binding: 5x7 size: 21"x38", 6x10 size: 27"x51"

Suggested minimum fabric amounts for the background materials that are used throughout the calendar, based on efficient block layout. You may prefer to buy more.
Top Four-Block Scene: 5x7 size: 1/4 yard, 6x10 size: 1/2 yard
Inner Border Blocks: 5x7 size: 1/4 yard, 6x10 size: 1/4 yard
Twelve Pocket Blocks: 5x7 size: 2/3 yard, 6x10 size: 1 yard
24 Pockets: both sizes: 1/2 yard each for pocket front and lining (1 yard if using same fabric for both)
Outer Blocks: 5x7 size: 2/3 yard, 6x10 size: 1 yard
Backing Fabric: 5x7 size: 2/3 yard to 1-1/4 yards depending on orientation of print, 6x10 size: 1-1/2 yard
Assorted applique fabrics - please refer to the detailed cutting chart included with the instructions for those dimensions

Please note the "Merry Christmas" text included in this project is from hand-drawn artwork, therefore an identical embroidery font is not available.

The numbers are from our Requited Script embroidery font (sold separately).

The calendar is designed with a blank block in the middle for personalizing with a family name using the font of your choice (sold separately). "Lucy and Charlie" sample was stitched with our Avery font. 

An alternate block with holly and bow is included in case you do not want to personalize your project.

Easy to make and assemble! Complete step by step PDF photo tutorial included with your download.

For exact file sizes and stitch counts, please click the "Size and Stitch Counts" button under the photos on this page.

The hanging clips shown can be purchased in our Amazon Affiliate Shop.

If you love this project, be sure to check out our other ITH Christmas products!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Becky Thompson of Power Tools With Thread for her fantastic YouTube Video Tutorials! She demonstrates how to make this advent calendar in two parts:

Part 1 Stitching:

Part 2 Assembly and Finish: