Upcycle Men's Shirts Into an Advent Calendar Garland

Designer Casey Noble puts old, patterned dress shirts to use by turning them into a chic Advent calendar garland that can be used year after year.
Advent Calendar on Staircase

Advent Calendar From Dress Shirts

Got lots of old, patterned dress shirts on your hands? Put them to good use! Copy designer Casey Noble, and turn them into a chic Advent calendar garland that can be used year after year.

Shirt-Pocket Advent Calendar
Loading Video...

Materials Needed:

  • pocketed men's dress shirts
  • buttons
  • needle and thread
  • sewing machine
  • fabric scissors
  • linen or cotton duck fabric by the yard
  • felt
  • numerical stencils
  • black marker
  • spool of 3/4-inch canvas banding
  • iron
  • iron-on adhesive tape

Cut Out Pockets

Use fabric scissors to cut out pockets from men's shirts, leaving an extra inch all the way around. Note: The pockets will be sewn to backing fabric, resulting in the look of classic pennants.

DIY Pocket Calendar

Cut Out Pockets

Use fabric scissors to cut out pockets from men's shirts, leaving an extra inch all the way around. The pockets will be sewn to backing fabric, resulting in the look of classic pennants.

Cut Backing Fabric

Cut a solid contrasting linen or cotton duck fabric roughly 3 inches longer than the length of the shirt pockets using fabric scissors. Note: The additional inches along the top will account for a flap which will fold along the back, creating a pocket for the 3/4-inch canvas banding to string the pennants together.

Stitch Backing to Pocket

Using needle and thread or sewing machine, sew a pocket to backing fabric in a zigzag pattern. Next, check the back of the backing pocket to ensure flap is open and useable.

Advent Calendar

DIY Pocket Calendar

Using needle and thread or sewing machine, sew a pocket to backing fabric in a zigzag pattern. Next, check the back of the backing pocket to ensure flap is open and useable.

Add Buttons (If Necessary)

For shirt pockets without buttons or snaps, add them with needle and thread.

DIY Calendar Buttons

Add Buttons

For shirt pockets without buttons or snaps, add them with needle and thread.

Attach Numbers

Trace numbers to felt using stencil as a guide. Next cut numbers out using fabric scissors. Once each number is cut out, attach to the front of a pocket using iron-on adhesive tape.

Insert Banding

Fish the 3/4-inch canvas banding through flaps in the back of each pennant. Once all pennants are in place, ensure even spacing by adjusting individually along banding.

Hang Garland

Once the banding is attached to each pennant, hang your finished garland along the banister or drape around the Christmas tree. As children count down the days leading to Christmas, allow them to take a treat or gift from a pocket each day.

Next Up

How to Make a Christmas Catnip Toy

Don't forget your furry best friend when making handmade gifts for the holidays. With just basic sewing skills, you can whip up a catnip-filled stocking-shaped toy as a surprise for your favorite kitty.

How to Make a Christmas Cat Spinner Wand

In all of the gifting during the holidays, don't forget about your furry friends. This holly-themed cat toy is easy to make and will encourage hours of playful interaction.

Two Ways to Wrap Gorgeous Gifts With Plain Brown Paper

Plain brown craft paper doesn't have to be boring. Check out these two fresh and inexpensive ideas for wrapping pretty holiday presents.

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.

Kids' Craft: Ruffled Rose Headband

With just a little help from a crafty adult, kids can turn a plain elastic headband into a sweet feminine accessory, perfect for girls big or small.

Handmade Reindeer Coasters

An elegant set of four coasters is an inexpensive and easy gift for the holidays.

DIY Holiday Pinecone Garland

Stylishly bring the outdoors in by creating a garland made of small pinecones and red yarn, then drape it over your mantel, Christmas tree, or down the length of the dining table for an understated festive touch.

How to Make a Candy Cane Reindeer Ornament

Trimming the tree just got a whole lot sweeter. Kids will love creating these reindeer ornaments using mini candy canes, felt, googly eyes and pom-poms.

How to Make a Mitten Garland Advent Calendar

Count down the days till Christmas with a fun and festive mitten garland. Hang it below the mantel for a pretty way to spruce up any fireplace.

Turn Clothespins Into Christmas Tree Ornaments

In just a few steps, turn wooden clothespins into beautiful snowflake tree ornaments. This is a great project for older children to tackle on their own or for small kids with help from a crafty adult.

More from:

Handmade Holidays

What's New in Handmade

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.