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Drop Cloth Advent Calendar DIY

Growing up, we had plenty of family traditions around the holidays, but using an advent calendar was not one of them. Now that I’m a parent, I want to begin this tradition for my daughter. So, I made my first drop cloth advent calendar.

I’m happy to be joining some blogger friends again this week for the Let’s Get Festive! Christmas Blog Hop, hosted by Rachelle of My Hubbard Home. We’re all sharing our own DIY advent calendars. If you’re stopping by after a visit with Rachelle, welcome! I just love her black and white French inspired advent calendar!

Last week, the theme was DIY Christmas ornaments, and I made some mason jar lid ornaments. I’m really enjoying getting an early start on Christmas crafting!

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How to Make a Drop Cloth Advent Calendar

I have to admit, I’m a little obsessed with drop cloth! I love the neutral color and nubby texture. It’s just fun to craft with! Here are three of my other drop cloth crafts:

Here’s what you’ll need to make a drop cloth advent calendar:

drop cloth, glue gun, sharpie, scissors, wood slices, mini clothespins
  • About 2 yards painter’s drop cloth fabric
  • 24 small round wood slices
  • 24 mini cloths pins
  • black Sharpie
  • fabric scissors and/or rotary cutter
  • sewing machine and thread
  • jute twine
  • hot glue gun and glue sticks
cutting drop cloth fabric with a rotary cutter

Step 1.

To make little bags, cut the drop cloth into (24) 2-sided rectangles measuring 4×6 inches. It’s a lot faster with a rotary cutter, but you can also use fabric scissors.

sewing a straight seam with a sewing machine

Step 2.

Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew together three sides of each rectangle leaving one narrow end open.

turning fabric right side out

Step 3.

Turn each rectangle right side out.

folding fabric over to create a cuff on a small bag
folding fabric over on a small bag to create a cuff
trimming stray fabric threads with scissors

Step 4.

Fold the top over about an inch. Then fold over again another inch to form a cuff. Trim off any frayed strings if you’d like. The bags will have a rustic, imperfect vibe.

writing numbers with a sharpie on small wood slices

Step 5.

Using a sharpie, write the numbers 1-24 onto the small wood slices.

applying hot glue to a small wood slice
gluing a wood slice with the number 14 to drop cloth bag
drop cloth bag with a wood slice and the number 14 glued to the front

Step 6.

Apply hot glue to the back of the wood slices and glue one to the bottom of each bag.

drop cloth bags attached to a jute twine garland advent calendar

Step 7.

Attach the bags to a length of jute twine with the mini cloths pins. Hang the bags against a wall in two rows.

DIY drop cloth advent calendar and chalkboard season's greetings sign

I set mine up against the bulletin board in my daughter’s room. She is so excited! I put little treats, toys and notes into them for her to open each day in December before Christmas.

I added a chalkboard sign above the advent calendar to give it some holiday cheer. I also set up a small Christmas tree below the calendar.

I really love my neutral, rustic drop cloth advent calendar! It’s going to be fun to use for years to come 🙂

I’m the last stop on the hop. If you haven’t already, go check out the other advent calendar projects below!

Until next time!

Rebecca


Mantle and Table

The House on Silverado

My Hubbard Home

Zucchini Sisters

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10 Comments

  1. I’m another one who didn’t have advent calendars growing up!
    Your use of drop cloths was a smart and really cute way to make the little bags. And folding them over to make a cuff at the top was another cute part.
    Your daughter will carry another sweet memory of Christmas because of you!

  2. That is so adorable and so sweet Rebecca! No wonder your daughter loves it! I didn’t grow up with the advent calendar tradition either, and I think it’s so fun to start new ones. I love your ideas for it! 🙂 So fun hopping with you!

  3. Your calendar is so rustic and lovely, and I absolutely ADORE those tiny little wood circles! I have used my wood burner to make ornaments on larger circles, but have never seen these tiny ones. So CUTE!

    Fun “hopping” with you!

    -Niky @ The House on Silverado

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