Create a drawstring-bag advent calendar

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● 30cm of 115cm-wide red gingham fabric

● 30cm of 115cm-wide red and white stripe fabric

● matching thread

● sweets or tiny gifts

● 6m of 3mm-wide red ribbon 

● white paint

● 60 x 40cm cork memo board

● nickel drawing pins

● black felt-tip pen

● flexible stencil for numerals (optional)

To make:

Cut 12 rectangles measuring 25 x 10cm from both fabrics. Fold each one in half with right sides together and stitch the sides, taking 1cm seam allowances. Turn right side out and press. Press under 4cm around the top of each one. Fill each one with a small gift. Cut ribbon into 24 lengths measuring 25cm. Tie each ribbon around the tops of the bags and knot the ends, leaving a 5cm loop. Trim excess ribbon.

Paint the memo board and leave to dry.

Arrange the bags on the board in four staggered rows to work out positions for drawing pins and numbers. Draw numbers on the board in felt-tip pen, either freehand or using a stencil.

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