Sewing a reusable advent calendar?

[2kids1pairofhands]

Anyone done this? Or seen patterns/fabric to make one? I have, ahem, limited sewing skills but like the idea of having one that my two little ones can grow up with.

I think its a lovely idea, I am off to a gift fair in a couple of weeks to look for inspiration, I think best I have seen are ones with slightly bigger and deeper pockets so you aren't limited to chocolate in each pocket, last year ds had a friend whose mum had bought lots of small toys one for each day, all wrapped and tucked into pockets!

I've made 4 (one for each of us). Mine were basically a square of fabric, an extra bit of plain fabric across the top of that with the name one, then 4 rows of ribbon across the main square, with stitching dividing it into 6 columns. I'm pegging envelopes with the number on and gifts inside.

It's probably easier to see what I mean on my blog

I bought the fillings mainly from All About Party Bags

I've bought this pattern and have started making the decorations. In addition to an ornament in each pocket I will be adding a chocolate.

Also, there is some inspiration here www.mumsnet.com/Talk/arts_and_crafts/1846613-Anyone-making-an-advent-calendar

If you want to do an easy one, I made one by sewing 25 little mini stockings (used a felt fabric and then fabric glue to add on sparkles and other decorations) and then I used mini clothes pegs to hand them off a long piece of string. It was a bit like THIS ONE but plain fabric, and I didn't do little loops.

I made one last year, but no pockets for chocolate (my poor children!)

I made backing sheet with a Christmas tree on it covered in buttons, then sewed little felt decorations with a loop at the top to be hooked over the buttons. I blogged about it here

I made one last year. DS loved it.
I designed it myself but it wasn't hard to do. Mines a large tree with pockets in the baubles/presents/stars/pot/stockings.
I hang mine on 2 bits of dowel in a channel top & bottom. It then rolls up in a tube the rest of the year.

Oh my!!

Thanks all for the replies - I'm not sure whether to be inspired or humbled. Your calendars are all gorgeous! Now I'm completely torn as to what type to make. Plus I'm realising that I should maybe have planned this a month or two ago...

Lakeland do a kit, I done one for DS last year. I think I started it in October, and managed easily with limited sewing skills.

John Lewis do a couple of different patterns - a felt one which is cheap and cheerful, and a quilted version with an angel and little pockets big enough for a chocolate coin or two.

Amnesty online shop has one for sale that you can make, comes with all the pieces of felt etc ....