There is a beautiful anticipation that builds during December, and a cherished count down makes the wait for Christmas even more magical. The practice of marking the days began modestly in the 19th century, with families making chalk marks or lighting candles to celebrate the approaching holiday.
Quilters today carry on this lovely tradition by creating the ever-popular Advent Calendar Quilt Patterns, which are sometimes called a Count Down Quilt or simply a Pocket Calendar. These handmade creations are deeply personal and feature the classic 24 or 25 numbered spots, usually designed as small flaps or pockets to hold tiny treasures.
We have lovingly gathered a collection of these patterns that truly cater to every skill level, from simple patchwork designs ideal for beginners to detailed appliqué required by more experienced quilters. Starting this project now will ensure you create a wonderful, homemade centerpiece ready to kick off your family’s most festive tradition this year.
Free Advent Calendar Quilt Patterns – Top Picks
1. Free Quilt Pattern: Joy and Peace
Welcome the holiday spirit with the charming Joy & Peace Quilt Pattern by Osie Lebowitz. This sweet calendar quilt finishes at a neat 22 1/2 inches square, perfect for hanging in a small space or entryway.
The entire piece is framed by a gorgeous border featuring holly and red berries on a cream background. It features easy-to-use calendar pockets, numbered 1 through 24, which are perfect for tucking away tiny holiday surprises.
Using fabrics with motifs like cardinals, reindeer, and pinecones makes your finished project truly merry and bright. This simple guide offers a quick, decorative way to count down the days until Christmas.
2. Free Quilt Pattern: Advent Calendar Scraps
Jump into a festive project perfect for using up your leftover holiday fabric with the Advent Calendar Scraps Quilt Pattern. This clever calendar measures a long and narrow 30 inches by 50 inches, making it an ideal size for hanging on a door.
It features a great, cheerful layout with numbered envelopes or pockets ready to hold small gifts or delicious treats. The pattern is a satisfying, practical way to transform your fabric scraps into a cherished, personalized holiday tradition.
To guide you through the process, a helpful video tutorial is also available with the instructions. Start gathering your festive pieces and enjoy stitching this fun countdown calendar.
3. Free Quilt Pattern: Advent Calendar
Start your holiday sewing with the Advent Calendar Quilt Pattern from Suzy Quilts—a clever, minimalist take on a festive countdown. Clean lines and modern shapes come together to create a fresh, contemporary design that still feels warm and inviting.
Each pocket block features a charming evergreen appliqué, forming a beautiful grid that’s both playful and practical. Measuring just right for customization, this pattern lets you mix bold prints or subtle tones to match your home’s holiday style.
It’s a delightful project for quilters who love simplicity with a touch of modern charm, offering an easy yet meaningful way to celebrate the season.
4. Free Quilt Pattern: GO! Christmas Advent Calendar
Combine the joy of a beautiful quilt with the fun of a holiday countdown using the GO! Christmas Advent Calendar Quilt Pattern. The charming design features 25 individual blocks arranged in a classic grid, separated by colorful sashing and cornerstones.
Each block is adorned with a unique, appliquéd holiday motif like a snowman, stocking, or sleigh, and is numbered from 1 to 25 for a delightful visual countdown. Specifically designed for the AccuQuilt GO! cutting system, this pattern allows for quick and precise cutting of all the festive appliqué shapes, making assembly a joy.
Finishing at a perfect 42-inch square, the quilt is an ideal size for a festive wall hanging or a cozy lap throw to be enjoyed all season long. This playful and efficient pattern is a wonderful way to create an interactive holiday heirloom that your family will treasure for years to come.
5. Free Quilt Pattern: Grinchmas Advent Calendar
Bring the mischievous fun of Dr. Seuss to your holiday countdown with the Grinchmas Advent Calendar Quilt Pattern from Robert Kaufman. The heart of this festive wall hanging is a large, beautifully illustrated fabric panel featuring the iconic scene of the Grinch stealing presents from a cozy Who-ville home.
Surrounding this central image are twenty-four numbered pockets, each adorned with beloved characters and motifs like Cindy Lou Who, Max, and festive ornaments for your daily surprises. Designed specifically to showcase the “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” fabric collection, this pattern perfectly captures the whimsical art and vibrant colors of the classic story.
Finishing at a perfect display size of 23 by 29 inches, this project is a wonderful way to create a focal point for your seasonal decor. Rated for intermediate quilters, this pattern offers a rewarding experience to create a playful and interactive heirloom that is sure to become a beloved holiday tradition.
6. Free Quilt Pattern: Grinch Advent Calendar
Jump into a delightfully interactive countdown with this whimsical Grinchmas Advent Calendar pattern. The true magic of this project is its hands-on design, which invites you to move a small Grinch character from pocket to pocket each day in December.
Creating this charming tradition is made incredibly simple, as the entire project is printed on a single, easy-to-use fabric panel. Perfect for enthusiastic novices, it’s a fantastic project for anyone looking for a fun and rewarding holiday sew without complex piecing.
The finished calendar measures a festive 21 by 34 inches, creating a perfect vertical display for a wall or door. This simple and fun project is a wonderful way to build a memorable heirloom that will bring smiles to kids and adults throughout the holiday season.
7. Free Quilt Pattern: Countdown to Christmas
The Countdown to Christmas Quilt Pattern by American Patchwork & Quilting adds a playful touch to your holiday décor. This festive design doubles as a 24-pocket advent calendar, letting you tuck in small surprises for every day leading up to Christmas.
Cheerful owls in scarves and Santa hats fill each square, bringing smiles and warmth to the season. The fabric comes from the Holiday Hoot collection panel by Deborah Edwards for Northcott, bursting with bright reds, greens, and snowy charm.
At 20½” x 23½”, it’s the perfect size to hang on a wall or display near the tree. It might take longer to fill the pockets than it does to sew this adorable piece!
BONUS Advent Calendar Quilt Patterns For Sale from Online Shops
1. Fun Advent Calendar Quilt Pattern (Download Pattern For Sale)
Mark your seasonal countdown with this delightful Fun Advent Calendar Quilt Pattern from Ahhh Quilting. This finished calendar is generously sized, measuring 40 inches by 55 inches, making it a substantial piece of wall decor.
The centerpiece is a large, classic Christmas tree appliqué, beautifully setting a festive scene for the countdown. Instead of simple squares, the 24 pockets are cleverly shaped like little wrapped presents ready to hold small treasures or tiny ornaments.
This quilt is designed for the advanced beginner, offering a fun challenge in both construction and detail. Piece together this charming design to start a festive new family tradition.
2. Advent Calendar and Ornaments Quilt Pattern (PDF Download Pattern For Sale)
Count down the days to Christmas with this enchanting Quilted Advent Calendar pattern by Andy of A Bright Corner. Set against a snowy backdrop, a large Christmas tree serves as the heart of this interactive wall hanging.
Each day in December, a sweet felt ornament is removed from its numbered pocket and hung on a button, gradually filling the tree with festive cheer. The pattern includes instructions for a full set of charming ornaments, from stockings and mittens to a tiny Santa and snowman.
Measuring approximately 3″ x 3″, the pockets are also the perfect size for hiding a small treat or a festive note. Finishing at 24″ x 36″, this interactive project is sure to become a treasured part of your family’s favorite Christmas traditions.
3. Big Pocket Family Quilt Pattern (Instant Download Pattern For Sale)
Focus on an inclusive, family-friendly countdown with the Big Pocket Family Advent Calendar Quilt Pattern. This clever design, created by Sonia of Fabric and Flowers, measures 20 inches wide by 44 inches high.
Its special expandable pockets are generously sized to fit up to three packets of sweets or small gifts at a time. This feature ensures the calendar can be easily filled with treats for the whole family during the advent season.
The finished pockets measure a generous 4 inches by 4 1/2 inches, providing plenty of space for shared surprises. Sew this practical and lovely calendar and use the two attached fabric tabs to hang it for a shared holiday tradition.
4. 24 Pockets Advent Calendar Quilt Pattern (Download Pattern For Sale)
Create a timeless holiday tradition with the 24 Pockets Advent Calendar Quilt Pattern by Jooles of Sew Sweet Violet. This design features a simple grid of 24 individual pockets set against a classic linen background, perfect for showcasing your favorite red and white festive fabrics.
The lovely embroidered phrase “Christmas is coming…” at the top adds a charming, homespun touch. This pattern is a joy to create, offering a straightforward and enjoyable sewing experience for quilters of all skill levels.
Finishing at a neat 53 cm by 65 cm, it’s perfectly sized to become a cherished holiday centerpiece in any room. Fill each pocket with a small treat or note to build excitement all December long with this beautiful and functional quilt.
5. Apartment Block Advent Calendar Quilt Pattern (PDF Download Pattern For Sale)
Introduce a modern, architectural touch to your holidays with the Apartment Block Advent Calendar Quilt Pattern. This unique design by Sarah Griffiths offers a contemporary take on the classic village motif.
The finished calendar measures a neat 21 inches by 28 inches, making it perfect for hanging in a smaller apartment or entryway. Instead of traditional houses, the design uses blocks that resemble stacked apartment windows or doors.
Each block functions as a pocket, ready to hold your daily treat or note for the countdown. This pattern is a great option for quilters looking for a fun, modern style that still embraces the festive spirit.
6. Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar Quilt Pattern (Instant Download Pattern For Sale)
Adorn your walls with this beautiful Christmas Countdown Calendar Wall Hanging designed by Mary Ann Sprague and Julia Deal. This straightforward project finishes at 28 inches wide by 35 inches tall, a perfect size for a noticeable, yet manageable, holiday display.
The design features a large, colorful Christmas tree appliqué surrounded by 24 numbered pockets for daily treats or notes. The pockets themselves form the tiered shape of the tree, making it a clever and visually appealing design.
Rated for the advance beginner quilter, it offers a satisfying blend of easy piecing and festive detail. Sew this calendar to make a lovely, functional piece of art that brightens your home throughout December.
7. Winter Wonderland Advent Calendar Quilt Pattern (PDF Pattern Instant Download For Sale)
Enjoy the magic of decorating for Christmas all month long with the Winter Wonderland Advent Calendar. A beautiful, pre-printed panel with a wintry scene serves as the main background for this special countdown
The fun comes from moving one of the 24 small ornaments from its pocket each day to hang on the scene. By Christmas Eve, the entire panel is transformed into a fully decorated piece of holiday art.
This finished calendar measures 62 cm by 90 cm, making it a lovely vertical display for a door or wall. It’s a charming and simple way to create a lasting family tradition.
Here Are More Advent Calendar Quilt Ideas For Inspiration
Filled with a mix of sweet seasonal prints, the cozy quilted wall hanging includes a grid of twelve practical patchwork pockets for a countdown tradition.
Ready to hold daily surprises, the quilted calendar delights with a mix of festive print fabrics and small, numbered pockets showing adorable dogs in holiday scenes.
With a whimsical border and charming touches like gingerbread men, the quilted calendar displays a grid of personalized sleeper pockets, perfect for hiding daily treats.
Designed with a folk-art feel, the calendar displays a joyful holiday scene with snowmen, reindeer, and twenty-four numbered pockets ready for small treasures.
Showcasing twenty-four blocks in festive red, white, and blue, the beautiful quilted calendar features a repeating pattern of holiday houses, snowflakes, and charming winter motifs.
Adding a personal, playful touch to the season, the finished project presents a cheerful gift block calendar with a festive train scene above the daily countdown.
A large, pieced Christmas tree centers this small Advent Calendar, surrounded by twenty-five bright, numbered mini-pockets.
For a personalized holiday tradition, this calendar uses fun, colorful blocks that showcase images like reindeer, houses, and stars.
The finished project creates a clean, classic look with four horizontal strips of pockets stitched onto the main background for daily surprises.
The quilt displays twenty-four unique embroidered squares, each a numbered pocket with a sweet animal or holiday motif.
Advent calendar quilt patterns result in a unique and heartwarming textile work that is both interactive and deeply meaningful. Your handmade calendar is so much more than a simple decoration; its twenty-four tiny, numbered pockets hold the beautiful promise of a daily joy waiting to unfold.
Every stitch you placed, from the backing to the final pocket, is a heartfelt testament to the love and patience you poured into this wonderful family tradition. This quilted piece, whether it was your first holiday project or your twentieth, now stands ready to hold precious memories for years and generations to come.
We hope this entire creative process has filled your heart with holiday anticipation and inspired you toward your next ambitious quilting adventure. Now, enjoy the simple, sweet satisfaction of having sewn a beautiful new piece of history into your family’s Christmas celebrations.
