Upcycled Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar with Pockets

If you want to make an Advent calendar like the one above here's what you need.

Materials
Old magazine or catalogue with good quality paper that is quite thick
Old book/newspaper
Glue
Sewing machine (or stapler and sellotape/washi tape)
Cord/string/ribbon

Instructions
I decided to put chocolates in my advent calendar so the size I made the advent calendar pockets are based on the size of the chocolates.  When making your calendar make sure that what you are going to put in the pockets will fit or adjust the size of the pocket pieces accordingly. You could fill them with interesting or inspiring quotes or sayings if you don't want edible contents or make a range of small items to go in each pocket.

You could also make your advent calendar out of fabric.  If you do, remember to stitch your number on before you stitch up your pocket (unless you are going to glue your number on)

1. Cut out 24 rectangles from your old magazine/catalogue to make the pocket pieces.  
 

24 Pocket Pieces

Each piece should be 22cm by 8cm.  You can choose images you particularly like (see below) or just cut the size from each page and see what you get...

Size of Each Pocket Piece

2. Score each piece 8cm (3.25 inches) from the bottom and fold over.

Front

Back

Bottom folded up to form pocket

3. Fold the top down to meet the top of the folded pocket

Then flip the fold over to the back...

Pocket fold to the front, cord fold to the back

Cord fold to the back

4. Stitch in place...

Stitched pocket

I knotted the ends and then left the ends trailing but you could trim them off. You don't actually need to stitch across the bottom of the pocket but if you do, you have all then ends in one place to knot together.

If you don't have a sewing machine or want a quicker solution you could try stapling the pocket together...

Stapled pocket

Taped over staples at rear

If you go for staples it's a good idea to tape over the backs of them as they can be quite sharp.

Or you could try washi tape or sellotape...

Washi taped pocket

Washi tape, whilst looking great may not be strong enough on its own to hold the pocket and you may need to add some sellotape at the edges of the cord fold and possibly at the top of the pocket.


5. Next you have to make the numbers for your pockets.  I just cut mine out from pieces of paper all about the same size but you could draw them carefully first.  Here's a quick summary of how many of each number you will need if you are cutting them out individually - 0x2, 1x13, 2x8, 3x3, 4x3, 5x2, 6x2, 7x2, 8x2, 9x2 - 39 in total.

Numbers cut out of an old book

6. First decide which order your pockets are to be displayed in, then glue the numbers to the pockets... 

Numbers glued to pockets

If you want a quicker solution you could write the numbers on sticky labels and stick on...

Hand written number label

or you could stamp the numbers on labels and stick them on...

Hand stamped number label

If you have a computer and printer you could print out a set and glue them on.


7. Once all your pockets are labelled string them together.  Choose your cord - I've used a machine stitched cord but any cord, string or ribbon would do.  Thread it through the pockets.  If you are having trouble with this, tie your cord to a knitting needle and then thread through all the pockets.

Advent calendar pockets strung together

8. Add your pocket contents.  I popped chocolates into each pocket but I have suggested some non edible alternatives (see the beginning of the instructions).  

 

Advent calender with chocs in the pockets

9. Hang up your advent calendar and admire...

Calendar hanging up

Hope you like your Advent calendar - let me know how you get on!