Sewing an advent calendar out of old jeans is a quick and magically beautiful idea! In this guide, I'll show you how it works!
The most important things at a glance
- In this post, Simone from the Nähcafé am Wasserturm shows you how you can conjure up a cool advent calendar from your old jeans. Sewing an advent calendar from old jeans is quick and super easy.
- All you need are 2 old pairs of jeans and a bit of Christmas decoration.
- With different decorative elements, you can design the advent calendar according to your own taste.
- Sewing level: easy
- Sewing time: 1 - 2 hours
For a long time now, the annual advent calendar hasn't just been for children. The long wait until Christmas is FINALLY at the door is sweetened every day for both young and old. There are calendars for every imaginable preference you can think of.
But a self-sewn or handmade advent calendar naturally has a very personal character. And it gets really cool with an advent calendar made from your favorite discarded jeans! Simone from the Nähcafé am Wasserturm in Nienburg brought this great upcycling idea to us.
Because the topics of jeans upcycling and sustainable sewing are very important to both of us. Maybe you are already familiar with our tutorial on how to sew a super simple bubble advent calendar?
You can find even more ideas on the topic of sewing for Christmas here!
In the guide, Simone shows you step-by-step how the funny advent calendar is conjured from an old pair of jeans.
Reading tip: Sewing Christmas stockings
YouTube Video: Sewing an advent calendar out of old jeans
Is sewing an advent calendar pair of jeans complicated?
You might be intimidated by this project because you are dealing with a lot of fabric and small pockets. But don't worry: you will easily manage this advent calendar made from old jeans, even as a beginner.
There are no limits to your creativity. You can really let off steam with this project.
The only downside to these jeans afterwards is that you can't wear them anymore. But who would want to walk around in pants full of filled pockets and pine branches?
Simone shows you step-by-step how you can easily sew and craft the advent calendar. It is also a great sewing project for absolute beginners because small mistakes aren't even noticeable.
Maybe you have already discovered our post Sewing new things from old jeans? There you can find out much more about everything you can make from old jeans.
What do I need to know to sew an advent calendar out of old jeans?
For this advent calendar, you need at most basic knowledge. If you want to be completely sure, I recommend my online sewing course. The SewSimple sewing license is excellent and you will learn basic sewing knowledge in 2.5 hours to get you started.
Learn more about sewing with sturdy fabrics in my post Sewing cotton fabric. You have a great overview of working with woven fabrics. That will definitely be useful to you.
Sewing thick fabrics could also become a challenge. In this project, denim is being sewn. You can learn more in my post Sewing with thick fabrics.
What should my sewing machine be able to do to sew an advent calendar from upcycled jeans?
If you have a conventional household sewing machine that can sew straight and zigzag stitches, that is perfectly sufficient. Of course, a few decorative stitches are very nice for this project. But they are absolutely not necessary. A standard zigzag stitch can also be varied in stitch length and width. And it is great for contrasting seams.
Since denim fabrics are thicker, you should use a stronger sewing machine needle. Sabine likes to use a strong jeans needle* in size 100 for this. But a universal needle in size 90 is also perfect. It's best to just try out on a scrap of fabric which seam and which needle you like best.
READING TIP: Everything about sewing machine needles
Which stitches should my sewing machine have?
With this advent calendar pair of jeans, the stitches aren't actually that important. They are really only used for decoration.
So if your sewing machine has decorative stitches, you can get creative.
But a sewing machine without decorative stitches is also completely sufficient. Because a zigzag stitch set very wide and long works just as well. The pockets are fixed in advance with textile glue.
Which sewing foot for sewing the advent calendar jeans?
You can use a completely normal zigzag foot for these Christmas calendars made of denim. If your denim is particularly thick, you can also use a walking foot.
TIP: Learn more about sewing feet and their use.
Which fabrics are suitable for the advent calendar?
If you have two pairs of jeans available (one as the advent calendar and one that you chop up), further fabrics are unnecessary.
However, if you want to sew the patch pockets out of other fabrics, you should use woven cotton. Choose a firm and thicker outer fabric. This gives the patch pocket more structure. You can also reinforce thinner fabrics with interfacing.
| Fabric Type | Benefits | Hints & Tips | Source |
| Canvas | Canvas is a fabric woven from strong yarns | - a good and sharp pair of fabric scissors is very sensible - sew with a jeans needle or 90-100 universal needle |
Order canvas* |
| Cotton Poplin | Poplin is a firm weave and is made from fine yarns. | - process with 70-80 universal needle | Order poplin* |
| Coated Cotton | water-repellent, wipeable, robust | - process with 70-90 universal needle - does not need to be reinforced |
Order coated cotton fabrics* |
| Jeans/Denim | firm, strong and robust | - sew with jeans needle or 90-100 universal needle - jeans thread for topstitching is an advantage |
Order denim fabrics* |
No, not really! The pants aren't used for wearing and the patch pockets can't shrink anymore.
Washing these pants after completion could have fatal consequences for your washing machine. A small Santa Claus could get stuck in the lint filter. :)
Required accessories for the advent calendar made from upcycled jeans:
- 2 old pairs of jeans (one as the advent calendar and the second pair of jeans or jacket to cut up)
- Christmas decoration for embellishment
- Advent calendar numbers*
- Textile glue*
- Sewing thread
- Fabric scissors*
- Craft glue* or Hot glue gun*
- 24 gifts 😊
- Felt decorations*
-
Clamping coat hanger*
Conclusion: Sewing an upcycling advent calendar from old jeans?
This is a mega cool idea! And it goes lightning fast. You can shorten the waiting time it takes for the glue to dry by picking out the cute little treats you want to fill the pockets with.
I think that with sewing an advent calendar, the most beautiful time of the year really begins.
We wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Christmas time.
Happy simple sewing,
Sabine & Simone
Comments
Comments are loading …