The Bright and Jolly panel print is a Christmas fabric panel that makes it easy for you to sew your own fabric advent calendar and fill it with your own delicious surprises. Designed by Kate McFarlane for Dashwood Studio, the Bright and Jolly Advent Panel features 25 charming illustrations that encapsulate the holiday spirit, from snowy escapades to cosy gingerbread homes.

Bright and Jolly Finished Dimensions

The Bright and Jolly Christmas fabric panel print is approximately 60cm x 112cm (24" x 44") but the finished advent calendar is approximately 47cm x 56cm (18" x 22").

Bright and Jolly Sewing Instructions

The Bright and Jolly Christmas panel includes the sewing instructions on the print itself, but if you happen to lose the instructions or accidentally throw them away please find the sewing instructions listed below:

1.) Cut out the back panel following the outer edge of the cream seam allowance

2.) Cut out the pocket strips around the outer edge of the cream seam allowance

3.) Press over the seam allowance on the top edge of each pocket strip and stitch

4.) Make a box pleat between each pocket by bringing the sides together to meet the dotted centre line

5.) Press and tack the side and bottom seam allowances for each pocket strip

6.) Pin each pocket to the back panel and tack in place

7.) Stitch the pockets onto the back panel - remember not to stitch along the tops!

8.) Layer the panel with wadding to give somebody and choose a coordinating Christmas pattern or complementary solid to back the panel with - quilt the panel as desired

9.) Make loops or a sleeve along the top edge of the panel to hang the finished advent calendar

10.) Fill each pocket with treats and enjoy!

How to Pick a Backing Fabric for Your Advent Calendar

To finish off your fabric advent calendar you are going to need a backing piece. As the Bright and Jolly advent calendar panel is approximately 47cm x 56cm (18" x 22") you don't need to worry about finding an extra-wide fabric like you do with ordinary quilts. Instead, find a complementary Christmas fabric or a matching solid colour. To finish off the Bright and Jolly fabric advent calendar you only need to buy 2 Units, which is 50cm x 112cm.

Christmas Fabric

It's only fitting that your advent calendar is finished off with a Christmas backing fabric. You will want to pick a Christmas fabric with similar colours or festive motifs. For the Bright and Jolly panel print, we suggest using a Christmas fabric with animals and Christmas motifs to tie it all together.

Matching Solid Fabric

If you can't find a coordinating Christmas fabric, or you would prefer a more simple and more affordable option, then you can choose a matching solid colour instead. We have a huge selection of Moda Bella Solids that are perfect for a simplified finish. Here are a few of our recommendations that go perfectly with the Bright and Jolly Christmas panel:

Complementary Blender Fabric

Another great alternative to using a solid colour is to use a blender fabric instead. Like solids, they're mostly one colour but with the addition of a small repeating print. The Ruby Star Society Basics are an extremely popular choice, so we have picked the ones we think go best with the Bright and Jolly Christmas panel:

Why You Should Make a Fabric Advent Calendar

Fun and Easy

One of the best things about a Christmas fabric panel is how convenient they are designed. All of the hard work has been done for you, so all you need to do is cut out the shapes and sew it all together! Sewing your own advent calendar is a fun and festive activity kids and beginners can get involved with too, as fabric advent calendars are super easy to make. As making one only requires basic sewing techniques, sewing an advent calendar is a good opportunity to teach children how to use a sewing machine and is good practice for amateur sewers.

Get Creative

Sewing your own advent calendar means you can let your creativity flow and make it personal to you. Decorate your pockets with bells, buttons, ribbons, applique - whatever you like really. You could even decorate it with Christmas family photos if you wanted to. Take this time to make your advent calendar a one-of-a-kind!

Eco-Friendly and Reusable

Typical advent calendars can be wasteful as you have to throw away the cardboard and plastic once Christmas Day arrives. By lovingly sewing your own fabric advent calendar you're going to want to reuse it year after year, and it is a wonderful way to celebrate the build-up to Christmas in a sustainable way. So if you want to be more eco-conscious, it's definitely worth taking the time to sew your own fabric advent calendar.

Choose Your Own Treats

When you make your own advent calendar you have the freedom to swap out the chocolates and replace them with anything you like. If your child has an allergy, for example, you could fill the pockets with dairy-free chocolates instead. You could ditch the idea of chocolates entirely, and use hard-boiled sweets or candy canes. You could even replace the chocolates with little presents, like a toy car or some pocket-money. The possibilities are endless and are only limited by your imagination.

Conclusion

The Bright and Jolly Christmas advent calendar panel print is a super fun and easy way to make your own fabric advent calendar, and because it only requires basic sewing techniques it's the perfect Christmas project for children and beginners. By sewing your own advent calendar you can customise it to your hearts delight with decorations and personal touches, and your homemade advent calendar also gives you the flexibility to choose what treats go inside.

So what are you waiting for? Kick off the festive season with a Bright and Jolly Christmas advent panel!

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