Make Your Own Christmas Countdown Chain - An Easy-to-Sew Advent Calendar Project

Looking for a simple DIY advent calendar for your Christmas holidays? Remember those Christmas countdown chains from when you were a kid? Those where you tore off a link each day until Christmas? Well, here's an idea for a fabric sewing project version of that chain. Fabric strips, Velcro, and your standard sewing supplies is all it takes for you to be able to use this countdown-to-Christmas fabric chain garland. A great sewing project for beginners, too!

For this project you will need:

• fabric strips
• hook and loop tape
• iron and ironing board
• sewing machine and matching thread
• scissors or rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, and link to the video tutorial to make a Christmas countdown chain. 

Looking for more fun Christmas projects?

Check out some of my other patterns and tutorials!

Or just hang out with us as we make the countdown chain:

Make an Appliquéd Red Cardinal Potholder - A Holiday Quilted Kitchen Sewing Project

Today we're making another Christmas project to brighten up your holiday kitchen. This time it's an appliquéd and quilted red cardinal potholder. Make your holiday and winter baking feel more festive by making your very own cute cardinal potholder, hot pad, or trivet with today's step-by-step tutorial.

For this project you will need:

• fabric scraps for the applique
• fabric for the front and back
• cotton batting or Insul-Bright
• paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond light
• pencil
• fabric clips or pins
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• basting spray or powder
• scissors, rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• walking foot or free motion foot
• optional tear away stabilizer
• cardinal templates from pattern

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable cardinal template to make a potholder, trivet, or hot pad measuring approximately 9" x 9". Instructions for an optional hanging loop included.

Looking for more potholders, hot pads, and trivets? Check out some of my other project patterns available:

Otherwise, watch as we make the red cardinal potholder:

Make Your Own Bright Red Cardinal Mug Rug - An Appliquéd and Quilted Sewing Project Tutorial

I'm back today with another mug rug, snack mat, or mini placemat project for the Christmas holiday. Brighten up your holiday or winter coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or snack time with this cute bright red cardinal sewing project. You'll use your own fabric scraps to appliqué the cardinal, make a pocket for a napkin, and even learn how to make the reversible cloth napkin. 

For this project you will need:

• fabric scraps for the applique
• fabric for the front, back, pocket, and napkin
• cotton batting
• paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond Lite
• pencil
• fabric clips or pins
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• basting spray or powder
• scissors, rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• walking foot or free motion foot
• cardinal templates

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the written version of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable cardinal template to make a snack mat measuring approximately 8 ½” x 12” with a 7” x 7” reversible cloth napkin.  It's an instant digital download PDF pattern so you can get started on your project right away.

Looking for more snack mat, mug rug, or mini placemat patterns? Check out some other projects: 

Otherwise, check out our cardinal mug rug!

Make a Christmas Advent Calendar - A Cute Christmas Bunting with Pockets Sewing Project

I'm back today with another Christmas sewing project! Decorate your home for the holidays while you countdown to Christmas Day with your own handmade Christmas advent calendar. It’s a fabric bunting version with pockets for goodies and treats. You can make the garland all one length to fill a large space, or divide it half and use it to decorate a smaller space. Then stuff those generously sized 3 1/2” pockets with all kinds of fun surprises to discover as you work your way towards Christmas Day!

For this project you will need:

• main fabrics and lining fabric
• fabric scraps for the numbers
• fabric clips or pins
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• stick on felt numbers OR
• glue stick, scissors, printable number template, and paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond Ultra Hold No Sew

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable number template to make a hanging bunting Christmas advent calendar.

Looking for other holiday and seasonal buntings? Check out some of my other popular patterns!

Or just join us as we make the advent bunting:

Foster Kitten Friday - The Travel Kit

As I've written before, since we frequently take our trips last minute we keep a container of our must-haves ready to go. Things like medications, toiletries, first aid supplies, fabric freshener and ziplock bags are in there. When things go on sale (powder, deodorant, toothpaste, whatever) I buy several to fill up the bucket. That way when we are ready to hit the road or sail the seas we just go "shopping" in our bucket. As we haven't been traveling since COVID our bucket is full. But this week I got to go shopping in the bucket. 

For a toothbrush.

Part of being a foster parent to a newborn kitten is to be, well, a parent. You feed them, keep them warm, and clean up what comes out of their bums. But baby kittens get something else from the mama cat. Licks from mama's tongue. With my little Hans Solo being all alone without his mama, and with his siblings having not made it, we use something else to mimic the feel of a tongue on his fur.

My ready-to-travel but can't-travel-yet toothbrush from the bucket.

This week has been a week of bonding over that silly toothbrush. And bonding over food. And over helping him pee and poo (and cleaning up afterwards). It has been a week where his eyes are looking clearer and his vision is getting better. I've learned he's a ham, and I have the pictures to prove it.

Chillin' with the tongue toothbrush.

Yum, yum, yum.

Yes, I have a tongue and I will soon know how to use it.

Is this how you play hide and go seek?

Just call me Ol' Blue Eyes.
Better get a good look because they won't always be that color.

Time to eat? Yes, ma'am!

Where are you going foster mama?

It has been a fun week getting to know this little guy. Next week we may have some exciting news for him, and it doesn't include a travel toothbrush.

Make Your Own Appliquéd and Quilted Christmas Tree Mug Rug with Pocket for the Holidays

Here's another way to make your Christmas holiday coffee, tea, and snack time more fun. This time is Christmas trees mini placemat. You'll be able to make your own appliquéd and quilted Christmas trees snack mat / mug rug / coaster with a pocket for a napkin and cutlery (or a snack) with this fun project. The snack mat measures approximately 8 ½” x 12” and you'll even get the directions on how to make the cute little 7" x 7" reversible cloth napkin! Keep it at home to decorate your table, take it to work to make your lunchtime feel even more festive, send it in your child's lunchbox, or use it for a handmade Christmas gift. 

For this project you will need:

• fabric scraps for the applique
• fabric for the front, back, pocket, and napkin
• cotton batting
• paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond light
• pencil
• fabric clips or pins
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• basting spray or powder
• scissors, rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• walking foot or free motion foot
• tree templates

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable trees template to make a snack mat measuring approximately 8 ½” x 12” with a 7” x 7” reversible cloth napkin. 

Looking for other holiday mug rugs/snack mats? Check out these other projects!

Or just join us as we make the appliquéd Christmas trees project:

Make a Santa Potholder for Your Christmas Baking - A Cute Christmas Kitchen Sewing Project

Today we're working with a Santa Claus sewing project again. This time it's an appliquéd and quilted Santa potholder! Brighten up your kitchen and make your holiday baking feel more festive by making your very own Kris Kringle potholder, hot pad, or trivet with today's tutorial.

For this project you will need:

• fabric scraps for the applique
• fabric for the front and back
• cotton batting or Insul-Bright
• paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond light
• pencil
• fabric clips or pins
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• basting spray or powder
• scissors, rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• walking foot or free motion foot
• santa templates

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable Santa template to make a potholder, trivet, or hot pad measuring approximately 9" x 9". Instructions for an optional hanging loop included.

Looking for other holiday potholders? Check out these other projects!

And watch the Santa potholder project tutorial right here:

Make Your Own Fabric Christmas Tree Ornament Drink Coasters for the Holiday - Quick and Easy Project Tutorial

Looking for a quick way to decorate your home for the Christmas holiday season while protecting your furniture from water rings? Make your own homemade Christmas tree ornament fabric drink coasters!  Your table top, home, and your parties and get togethers will be looking festive in minutes with your fabric and this step by step tutorial. 

For this project you will need:

• fabric for the ornaments

• fabric for the ornament top

• cotton batting

• fabric clips or pins

• iron 

• printable round ornament template

• pinking shears or pinking blade

• sewing machine and matching thread

• always helpful for sewing: scissors, rotary cutter, cutting ruler, cutting mat 

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, round ornament template, and link to the video tutorial to make a set of four Christmas ornament drink coasters each measuring just over 4½". It's an instant digital download pattern so you can start on your project right away.

Find even more holiday sewing and crafting project patterns in my Etsy shop, DebsDaysDesigns:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DebsDaysDesigns

Looking for more coaster designs? Check out some of the other projects!

Ready to learn how to make the fabric Christmas tree ornament drink coasters? Here ya go!

Make Your Own Large Hot Pad with Fabric Strips Using the Quilt-As-You-Go Sewing Method

Looking for simple ideas to make homemade hot pads and trivets? Learn how to sew a large hot pad from fabric strips and batting using the quilt-as-you-go sewing technique with this step-by-step how-to tutorial. With the finished project measuring 12" x 16" it's great way to protect your table and countertops from your kitchen's big casserole dishes and glass pans. And it's a good project for a beginner, too! 

For this project you will need:

• fabric strips*
• backing fabric*
• cotton batting and/or Insul-Bright 
• pins and Clover Wonder Clips
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• basting spray or powder
• rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• walking foot (optional)

*all fabrics need to be 100% cotton

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the written version of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, and a link to the video tutorial to make a 12" x 16" quilt-as-you-go hot pad from fabric strips.  It's an instant digital download PDF pattern so you can get started on your project right away.

Looking for something else? Check out some of my other kitchen sewing and crafting projects!

And check out our work with the strip hot pad to see how easy it is for anyone to sew: