Advent Calendar Squares

Okay, so I'm going to post my Advent Calendar tutorial even though I'm not done yet. Since time is running out, though you've still got plenty of time if you want to make one of these if you start NOW, I figured I could post what I can and finish up later. (Here is my inspiration post)

SHOPPING LIST:
*Floss/thread - thick (see first photo)
*Embroidery needles that are sharp and are big enough to accommodate your thread.
*Felt
*Fabric glue
*I purchased some good, small scissors for this job
*Fusible interfacing

About thread: there were two kinds of thread at JoAnn's to choose from and I chose the one on the left (in photo). It all came in a huge multi-pack and I liked the thickness and the way it's twisted together. DMC floss is good, too, but I just liked the look of the other thread. Choose what you'd like!

THEN: get a bunch of those sheets of felt. Mine were just the paper-sized sheets at JoAnn's and they had a huge variety, so I got some of each color.

THEN: With a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler, cut your pocket squares AND interfacing to whatever size you'd like - mine were 3 1/2" x 4" - but do them perfectly square if you want. I only cut mine that size to accommodate my tree width.

Don't be afraid of color, either. You don't have to use 'traditional' Christmas colors, get a little crazy and abstract. Some of my squares aren't exactly 'festive' but they're freakin' adorable and add to the overall look of the calendar.

THEN: Cut out shapes. Go crazy, have fun, but make sure to keep your shapes chunky enough to stitch on. Don't cut intricate details - keep it VERY basic. You'll thank yourself later.

ALSO, don't make every square fancy. You'll be stitching forever. Do some with stripes and polka dots just to save some time.


AND...don't get distracted or upset by how plain and boring your shapes might look as you're creating. Don't worry - it'll all come together with the stitching. Just go basic and build from there!

NOW: time to glue your large pieces. DO NOT use very much glue - just barely enough to hold down your felt in places you won't be stitching on - and you don't have to glue every little piece. The tiny pieces really don't need to be glued, but you can if you want. When the glue dries, it's hard to get your needle through it, so just use a teeny, tiny amount only to hold your pieces in place so you can stitch them on. Let your glue dry before you start stitching.

FINALLY: stitch your heart out using my little stitch guides. Get crazy and creative - and get cozy because it takes FOR-EVER. ***IMPORTANT YOU READ THIS::: Tie off every section you stitch - like every circle or every major shape. There WILL be times that you'll have to un-pick something and it STINKS when you have to unpick the whole thing instead of one section.

SAMPLES: Two of the sample photos in the middle are actually Kadie's (on the brown wood table) - she did those today and they are looking adorable! I've included a photo of ALL of my squares, though the last six are not finished yet, just to give you some idea of what you can do with your calendar.

You might actually think of shapes or embellishments that I didn't use - go for it! Make this your own personal creation and have fun with it! Just remember to keep it very basic because you can always add to it! Kadie plans to use real buttons on hers - that's wonderful!

MY END-RESULT VISION: Since I DON'T have a finished product photo, you have to visualize the end with me!!

Each of my squares is going to have a white fusible interfacing backing (iron-on stuff) to protect my stitching (thanks Sarah!), and I'll and sew the top edge together to make it super secure. I don't need to sew all the way around each square yet because I'm going to do that on the tree. After each pocket is stitched onto the tree, I'll fill the squares with little candies, quotes, or whatever treat I want.

My tree is going to be different than my Pottery Barn inspiration, and I'm excited about what I'd like to do. Since my JoAnn's store doesn't have big bolts of cool green felt, I want to use a piece of crazy-cool fabric - nothing too fancy or distracting - with batting and a felt back. Then I'll stitch the squares on top with my sewing machine and possibly a blanket stitch - depending on how ambitious I am feeling!!! I'll probably number my squares underneath with either fabric paint or hand-stitching - who knows at this point.

So now you can get started - go have some fun and share your square pictures with us!!!