Our family has a holiday tradition of using an advent calendar to celebrate Christmas. It is typically candy but this year I thought we would try something different. I love making dolls and toys for my girls. Especially during this time of year, but it gets so hectic that we usually end up making them quickly and the project becomes stressful. So this is my plan for a wonderful experience, all the while building anticipation for their special handmade Christmas dolls.
I bought the red beaded garland from Target and I am going to hang the bags onto it with clothes pins.
For days 10-25 place notecards inside to tell them what to do next. This is great for kids who are just learning how to read.
1. First you will need a great, easy to follow, toy sewing pattern.
These are some of my favorites....
My girls and I will be making the Beth Doll and the Baby Mermaid.
2. Read through the sewing pattern carefully and make a sewing plan.
This is what I came up with, you are more than welcome to use it. My girls like to pick out their own fabrics, so I might have to adjust it as we move through the advent calendar.
Dec1 Receive bag #1 with doll picture inside describing what to do.
(Hi Name of Child,
Will you help create me? I will tell you what to do, each day you will receive another clue.)
Dec2 Receive half instructions. Read through the instructions together.
Dec3 Receive other half of instructions. Read through the instructions together.
Dec4 Receive fabric for hair.
Dec5 Fabric for body
Dec6 Fabric for clothes
Dec7 Fabric for shoes
Dec8 Embroidery floss
Dec9 Stuffing
Dec10 Cut out template and fabric.
Dec11 Sew arms and legs.
Dec12 Sew the head to the body.
Dec13 Pin the hair and sew it down.
Dec14 Finish the braid and hair details.
Dec15 Fill the arms and legs with stuffing.
Dec16 Pin and sew arms/ braid to the body.
Dec17 Sew the body together and turn right side out
Dec18 Stuff with polyfil, cut out a wool felt heart, kiss it and stuff it inside.
Dec19 Place legs and mermaid fin into the bottom and stitch.
Dec20 Embroider the faces.
Dec21 Make doll clothes skirts, doll apron, etc..
Dec22 Name her, also make doll's birth certificate.
Dec23 Make cookies for Santa.
Dec24 Read to her the story of Christmas.
Dec25 Merry Christmas!
I know these dolls will be their favorites even through all of the Christmas hullabaloo.
I know these dolls will be their favorites even through all of the Christmas hullabaloo.
3. Number the advent calendar bags.
I used brown lunch bags and a red sharpie. You could be fancier with the wrapping.
4. Fill each bag with a new clue to make the doll or toy. For example Day 1-9 fill with the materials needed for the doll.
Dec 6; Doll clothes.
5. Once you are done, place the bags in a visible place so they will remember to open it and create their Christmas doll.
Please let me know if you use this idea! I can't wait to get started!
Best wishes and tons of stitches!
Comments
Sara