Sew an Heirloom Advent Calendar

Get ready for Christmas and create a beautiful fabric advent calendar in this fun, hands-on half-day workshop! 

Designed for confident beginners, this session is perfect if you’ve used a sewing machine before and are ready to try a guided project.

During the workshop, you’ll cut out your printed panel using scissors, press and pin your pockets into place, then learn how to edge-stitch them accurately using a sewing machine. You’ll add a fabric backing and wadding for a soft, padded finish, and we’ll show you how to attach hanging loops so your calendar is ready to display. You’ll be supported every step of the way in a small group, with friendly, expert tuition and plenty of tips to help you sew with confidence. By the end of the session, you’ll have a finished (or nearly finished) advent calendar you can bring out year after year – a lovely handmade heirloom for your home or a thoughtful gift for someone special. All materials are included – just bring your sewing machine and your enthusiasm! This workshop is ideal for those who can thread their machine and sew a straight stitch, but you don’t need to be an expert. It’s a relaxed, welcoming environment with lots of guidance and festive cheer!

Here’s what you’ll do:

• Learn how to follow a simple printed panel pattern
• Cut out your fabric pieces neatly using fabric scissors
• Press and pin your pockets into place with confidence
• Use straight and edge stitching on the sewing machine to attach the pockets precisely
• Add a fabric backing and layer in soft wadding for a padded finish
• Attach hanging loops so it’s ready to display

You’ll pick up useful sewing skills and tips throughout the session, including how to handle panels, work with layers, and stitch clean lines.

Please note: We encourage you to bring your own sewing machine if you have one so you can practise using it, but if that’s not possible, we can provide one for an additional £5. Please add this to your cart at time of booking if you will need to hire a machine on the day.

About the tutor:

Tutor Freya Gilbert is the owner of Crafty Sew and So and has been sewing for almost 20 years, sewing everything from her dream wardrobe to homewares and accessories. She loves teaching people to sew, sharing her obsession and creating handmade joy. As well as teaching award-winning beginners sewing and craft workshops, Freya develops a range of sewing patterns and subscription boxes.

Further information:

Participants must be aged 14+. Under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult at all times.

This half-day workshop will start at 10:30am and end at 2:30pm, with short breaks for coffee/lunch. Our café will be open or you are welcome to bring your own refreshments.

If the course/workshop you’d like to book is sold out, we do operate a waiting list – simply contact our box office team on 0116 252 2455 / arts-centre@le.ac.uk and ask to be added to the waiting list. We’ll then contact you if a place becomes available, with absolutely no obligation to accept it if you’ve made other plans!

Please ensure that you agree to our updated Terms & Conditions before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances.

We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome – just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you’d like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email arts-centre@le.ac.uk, pop in or call 0116 252 2455, open 7 days a week.

We have four blue badge parking spaces outside Attenborough Arts Centre, plus double yellow line roadside parking very close to the building for blue badge holders for up to three hours if our parking spaces are occupied.

Free parking for all customers is available after 5pm on weekdays and all day at weekends in the University of Leicester car park next door to Attenborough Arts Centre on Lancaster Road. The closest public car park for parking at all other times is Victoria Park, 5-10 minutes walk from us (near De Montfort Hall).