How to Make a Vintage Garland Advent Calendar

Linen, ribbon and vintage printables come together in this advent calendar, which is sure to become a family tradition.

By Marian Parsons, Mustard Seed Interiors
Filed under: Fabrics, Christmas, Holiday

Materials Needed:

1 1/2 yards cream linen
all-purpose coordinating thread
sharp scissors
rotary cutter and mat (optional)
freezer paper
iron
ruler
pencil

computer and printer
photo editing software
sewing machine
graphics or pictures
10 yards grosgrain ribbon
no-fray glue
acrylic paint
1.0 artist liner brush

Cut Linen

Using a piece of standard printer paper as a template, cut out 13 pieces of linen and 13 pieces of freezer paper. Tip: Freezer paper must be used for this project, not wax or parchment paper.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-

Iron Fabric and Paper

Place one piece of linen face down on ironing board. Put the plastic coating of the freezer paper face down onto linen (Image 1). Press paper onto fabric using an iron set on high until they are fused (Images 2 and 3). Trim any overhanging freezer paper or fabric, if necessary (Image 4). Repeat with 12 other pieces of linen and paper.

Edit and Print Graphics

Save 25 different vintage holiday graphics as jpg files. Make sure photos are either all vertical or all horizontal. Use photo editing software to crop all graphics to 3-1/2" x 5" (Image 1). Print each graphic on one page set at 3-1/2" x 5". Place fused linen and freezer paper into an ink jet printer oriented so the graphic will print on the fabric side (Image 2). The image should be printed on the top left corner (Image 3). Flip the fabric to print a second image on the bottom right corner (Image 4). Note: All graphics used in this project are available for free at www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com.