Are you looking for a fun and easy way to celebrate advent? Why not try making a felt birdie advent calendar? This project is perfect for both beginners and experts alike, and it’s a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. Plus, you can personalize your calendar with your favorite colors and designs and the results are charming.

This Advent calendar is a work in progress (I still have about 20 more birds to make (YIKES). There is something about those branches in my entry, I hate to see them go. I thought the branches could stay for another holiday if they had some birds swinging from them.

DIY Felt Advent Calendar Supplies

  • felt
  • number beads
  • trim, string, ribbon, or embroidery floss for hanging
  • scissors
  • disappearing pen
  • needle
  • thread
  • sewing machine (however these could be sewn by hand)
  • printer to print template
  • Little Birdie Advent Calendar Template

How to Make An Advent Calendar

1. Cut out the bird and trace around it on two pieces of felt. This is your stitching line and not your cutting line, so use a disappearing marking pen or tracing pencil.

OPTION: If you don’t sew I could also see these birds made from beautiful scrapbooking papers.

2. Cut out the embellishments. I have drawn on the template for what I used but when making so many it is just easier to freehand some shapes. If I had not waited until the last minute and had more time these birds would be over the top with embroidered embellishments.

3. Stitch the shapes to the top piece of felt. I made an eye by embroidering a French knot (not shown in the picture).  

For the numbers, I used little beads. You can sew them on the heart now, or string them on the holder later. I had hoped to find “number” brads. The numbers could also be embroidered.

4. Pin two pieces of felt together and stitch around the bird leaving an opening at the top (wider than what you want when finished because you will add your hanger in later). As you stitch around place the beak on top and catch it in your stitching. Don’t forget to add your eye and numbers as I did. It is much more difficult to add them later.

Cut around the bird. Slip a piece of ribbon, cord, string, or elastic gold thread in at each end of your opening and stitch back and forth at each end. You could do this in the previous step.  It is easier and one less step but, I kept clipping off the hanger when I cut the bird out.

Fill with treats and let the holidays begin!

More Ideas For Advent

Advent is a special time of year when Christians around the world prepare for Jesus’ birth. There are so many ways to celebrate Advent, and everyone can find their own way to get into the spirit of the season. Whether you like to get crafty, listen to Christmas music, or read Christmas stories, there’s something for everyone during this holy time. Here are some fun ideas.

I would love to keep you fully stocked with creative ideas, yummy recipes, fun crafts, and loads of free printables. Subscribe to Skip to my Lou to get new ideas delivered to your inbox. Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram for all my latest updates.


About Cindy Hopper

Learn More

you may also like

Comments

  1. Thanks for this great tutorial! I loved the first 2 advent calendars, but this is now my favorite. There is so much that could be done w/ these birds!

  2. Awww, this is too cute!! I think I may have to leave those christmas balls in the closet and make these birds for my ornaments!! Thanks for the pattern and idea!

  3. so so so cute.

    i am going to try this, and expand the pattern 200% or so.

    this is an adorable gift card holder (just like trishia said) and my best friend is obsessed with vintage birds!!!

  4. These are so cute! I wouldn’t do 24 of them, but they would also make a lovely decoration! Thanks for sharing.

  5. oh my! they are too, too adorable. I could see these a tiny bit larger holding a gift card for a teacher, or another little trinket for small gifts. thanks for sharing!

  6. Cute, cute, cute, cute, cute! This is one of the best ideas I’ve seen for an advent calendar, for sure! 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *