Advent Tree

This tabletop advent tree has hidden pockets underneath the lace layers to hide small gifts as you count down the days until Christmas.

Or you could use the stuffed Christmas tree as a table centerpiece with hidden surprises for all of your guests, both young and old. Place it on a pretty table runner that you have made!

Toys, candy or small notes can be tucked into the pockets which are covered with the lace edging.

This is just one of our easy Christmas sewing projects!

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Advent Tree Sewing Tutorial

This table top tree will be approximately 19 inches tall.

I’ll admit, the top pocket on my tree should have been placed lower and it would have covered the next pocket layer. Be sure to lay out the pockets properly before sewing and yours will look even better than mine!

Supplies

• 1 1/2 yards fabric
• 2/3 yard fleece
• 3 yards piping (or two packages)
• 3 yards of 1 3/4-inch-wide lace or eyelet
• 3 yards ribbon (at least 3/8-inch wide)
• Heavy string or ribbon (at least 24 inches, if not more)
• 33 1/2 inches cord (I used para cord, but you can use a thicker rope), optional
• 10-inch cardboard circle (or an 8 inch plastic plate)
• Matching thread
• Sewing pins
• Safety pin or bodkin
• Disappearing Ink
• Polyfil or Fiber Fill
• Paper
• Iron
• Decorations, such as tree topper, ribbons, buttons, small ornaments, etc. (optional)
• Hot glue gun (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Draw a pattern template for the tree by using a cutting mat or drawing a 90-degree angle on paper with lines 20 inches long.

The long, straight edges of the pattern should be 20 inches each and then add 1/4 inch for the seam allowance. Then connect the lines with a curved line. You can do this with a pen and string compass or by making small measurements and connecting the dots.

I pasted several pages of white typing paper together to make a big template, but you could use a roll of Kraft paper or wrapping paper.

Cut one template from the tree fabric and the fleece.

Step 2

Cut out long strips (these will become the tree pockets) from the tree fabric in these measurements:

• 8 X 33 1/2 inches (bottom pocket)
• 6 1/2 X 26 1/4 inches
• 6 1/2 X 21 inches
• 5 1/2 X 14 inches
• 2 1/2 X 8 inches (top pocket)

Cut a piece of piping, lace or eyelet and ribbon in the same long edge sizes as the pocket strips above. You do not need piping for the top pocket.

(I like to cut just a little bit longer than the strips to be sure there are no gaps, but that is personal preference!)

Step 3

Sew the corresponding piping to the long edge of each of the fabric strips on the right side of the fabric. Line up the edge of the piping with the edge of the fabric and then stitch close to the edge of the rounded piping. (You can follow the same line of stitching on the piping.)

Step 4

Fold each of the pocket strips in half lengthwise with the right sides together, including the top pocket that has no piping.

Sew along the long sides. I followed the stitching that I made by attaching the piping, otherwise use a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Turn the pocket tubes inside out, then press flat.

Step 5

Pin the ribbon 1 3/4 inches from the top of each pocket.

For the top pocket, pin the ribbon along the top edge, matching the edges.

Sew along the top edge of the ribbon on each of the pockets.

Step 6

Place the bound edge (seam) of the lace or eyelet underneath the bottom ribbon edge on each pocket. Sew along the bottom edge of the ribbon to secure.

Step 7

Create pockets on each fabric strip. Draw lines for each pocket using a disappearing ink on the fabric. Do not use the ink on ribbon, lace or piping.

Pockets can be whatever size you choose and as many as you would like in each strip, however do not place pocket dividers on the top pocket. This top strip should be left alone to be one long pocket without dividers.

For a 25-day advent tree, I used this many pockets per strip:

• Top: 1
• Second Row: 4
• Third Row: 5
• Fourth Row: 7
• Fifth Row: 8

My pocket measurements were about 3 inches wide. I liked to vary the sizes to accommodate different treasures to be tucked inside, but you may want them all to be the same size.

Be sure to allow for the 1/4 inch seam allowance on each side of the tree when measuring pockets.

Step 8

Place the tree fabric on the fleece, with the right side facing up. Pin or clip around the edges if desired (I didn’t because the fleece was grippy).

Pin the pocket strips to the tree and fleece. Start with the longest strip and place the bottom of the pocket 1/2 inch up from the bottom edge. Bend the strips to match the curves of the tree. It’s okay to have small puckers and gathers as you are pinning.

Continue with the next pocket strip by placing the bottom edge 1/2 inch from the top edge of the pocket strip below.

Do this with all of the pockets.

Alternatively, you could pin one pocket strip, do the instructions in Step 9, then attach the next pocket strip, continuing until the top.

Step 9

Sew the long bottom edge of each of the pocket strips through the fabric and fleece. Top stitch near the folded edge of the pocket, being sure not to sew over the edge of the lace or eyelet.

Now, sew the dividers for each of the pockets along the lines you drew with the disappearing ink.

Start from the pocket bottom and stitch up underneath the lace or eyelet to the ribbon. Cut your threads, then start a new line of stitching from the ribbon to the top of the pocket.

Step 10

Fold the tree in half with right sides and pockets together. Match the straight lines on the edge, then stitch together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Make sure that the lace is laying flat and isn’t pulled too tightly into the seam allowance (which means it won’t be ruffled when you turn it inside out). Trust me, ask me how I know! LOL

Turn the tree right side out and push out the top of the tree with a turning tool or blunt end of a crochet hook.

Step 11

Cut a 5 3/4 X 33 1/2 inch piece of fabric for the tree base.

You will also want to cut a 1 X 33 1/2 inch piece of fabric to cover the cord and create piping. (Optional)

Step 12

For the tree base, sew the short sides of the fabric together with right sides facing each other.

Sew for 3/4 inch, then leave the next 1/2 inch open, then continue sewing to the edge.

To create a casing for the drawstring, press the long edge nearest the opening under by 1/4 inch, then fold and press under 1/2 inch.

Sew along the bottom edge of the casing.

Step 13

Insert the heavy string or ribbon into the casing through the open gap. Attach the string to a safety pin and insert the pin, pushing and pulling until it comes out the other side.

Step 14

This step is optional, because I don’t think it adds much to the advent tree, but you might like a more finished look.

Also, I did this step twice and still didn’t get it right because I kept sewing it on the wrong side and I wasn’t going to rip it out again! Ugh. So I have piping but it’s not on the outside, it’s on the inside. That’s why I don’t have any photos of a closeup, but I think the tree base looks fine without it because it’s not really visible.

Place the cord along the wrong side of the piping fabric. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, then stitch close to the cord to create piping.

Attach the piping to the right side of the long, unfinished edge of the tree base fabric by stitching against the round cord (I follow the stitching that I did to make the piping).

Step 15

Place the tree base around the bottom of the tree, with right sides together and matching up the long edges (the piping side should be along the bottom edge, not the casing).

Sew together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Step 16

Stuff the tree with Polyfil, making sure to stuff the top of the tree with enough fiberfill to make it pointed. Continue adding stuffing until the tree is stuffed firmly!

I added my fabric and fleece scraps and bits into the filling because you need so much. Consider buying an old pillow and removing the stuffing as an inexpensive way to source this much Polyfil for this project.

Step 17

Place the cardboard circle in the base of the tree on top of the fiberfill. It’s okay to trim the cardboard if needed. Alternatively, you could use a plate as the base of the tree.

I used an inexpensive plastic plate as the base. You can get these at Walmart for around .50 cents. It wasn’t a perfect fit, but it worked for me.

Step 18

Pull the string tight around the base and tie in a bow.

Add trimmings to the tree if desired, such as bows, buttons, flowers, etc. Attach a tree topper, too.

I tied 1/4-inch satin ribbon into bows and hot glued them on. I had a small Santa’s hat that I put on the top.

Helpful Tips I Learned Making This Advent Tree

• The larger the lace or eyelet, the more it will cover the pockets underneath.
• Scrap cardboard is fine for the base. It should be a corrugated cardboard and thick, not a poster board or thin cardboard.
• The stuffing and cardboard/plate base can be removed so that the tree lays flat and can be store more easily.
• I would not suggest a directional print fabric, stripes, plaid or anything where the pattern needs to be precisely matched up.
• Some parts of this sewing project can be thick. Just sew slow and your normal sewing machine needle should be fine. However, you could also switch needles and use a needle designed for sewing jeans and heavy fabrics.
• This isn’t a complicated sewing project, but I probably will only make one. I think the “Limited Edition 1 of 1” sewing label would be perfect to add to this homemade decoration!

Save this idea for later when you Pin It to Pinterest.

If you like this advent tree sewing pattern, be sure to see these holiday sewing projects next:

• 15 Angel Patterns to Sew
• 12 Christmas Quilt Block Patterns
• Free Christmas Ornament Sewing Patterns