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A buttoned up finish on the Pockets Full of Blessings wall quilt

A buttoned up finish on the Pockets Full of Blessings wall quilt

by Nancy Devine

Almost ready to start counting the days, or our blessings, with the Pockets Full of Blessings wall quilt.

Almost ready to start counting the days, or our blessings, with the Pockets Full of Blessings wall quilt.

A buttoned up finish on the Pockets Full of Blessings wall quilt

I am just loving the Pockets Full of Blessings Wall quilt, aren’t you?

Today on QUILTsocial, we’ll be finishing up the wall hanging and turning it into an Advent Calendar.

Stamping tags, and attaching buttons to the pockets on our pocket-filled wall hanging.

Stamping tags, and attaching buttons to the pockets on our pocket-filled wall hanging.

Place two or three small stitches at the pocket intersections prior to sewing a button onto the same spot.

Place two or three small stitches at the pocket intersections prior to sewing a button onto the same spot.

In order to make the pockets more stable, and give it some sassy style, sew some buttons onto the intersection of each pocket. I used a variety of buttons from my vast collection of vintage buttons in red. Don’t worry, there’s a few hundred more where they came from. These buttons will also serve as the hangers for the number tags when the wall hanging is being used as an Advent Calendar.

Stamp numbers 1 to 24 onto metal rimmed paper tags. These will be attached to the wall quilt using bakers' twine.

Stamp numbers 1 to 24 onto metal rimmed paper tags. These will be attached to the wall quilt using bakers’ twine.

Cut 24, 6″ lengths of bakers’ twine or pearl cotton. Use a lark’s head knot to attach the twine to the tags.

Stamp numbers 1 to 24 on the tags. You can go with just numbers, or numbers and tiny graphics. I opted for a series of both.

Create a label that is also a pocket for the paper tags using another square from the charm pack.

Create a label that is also a pocket for the paper tags using another square from the charm pack.

HeatnBond Feather Lite makes short work of attaching the label/tag pocket to the back of the Pockets Full of Blessings Wall Quilt. The applique mat makes sure your iron is protected from any residue.

HeatnBond Feather Lite makes short work of attaching the label/tag pocket to the back of the Pockets Full of Blessings Wall Quilt. The applique mat makes sure your iron is protected from any residue.

Create a label for the quilt using your favorite method. I used a permanent marker to sign my Pockets Full of Blessings wall quilt. I used a zigzag stitch to edge the charm square and then placed strips of HeatnBond Feather Lite on three sides to adhere the quilt label to the bottom of the quilt. The top side remains open.

Now the quilt label is also a storage pocket for the tags, once they are removed during the countdown process.

Install a 1/2" diameter wooden dowel between the folded corner hanging pockets.

Install a 1/2″ diameter wooden dowel between the folded corner hanging pockets.

Cut a 1/2″ in diameter wooden dowel to fit between the hanging pockets on the back of the wall quilt. Sand the dowel until it’s smooth, using fine sandpaper. Slip the dowel into the hanging pockets. Hang the quilt.

Fill with the pockets with treats — candy, fun-size chocolate bars, small toys, gift cards, lip balm, hand lotion — whatever you wish. As each day of Advent passes, remove the tag and the treats. Store the tags in the label pocket on the back. I placed my tags in sequential order, but mixing them up creates a bit of an I Spy Game of the daily treat search.

This quilt can be adapted for Hanukkah by creating eight pockets, perhaps bordering a themed wall hanging.

It can also be used to help organize a sewing room, office or dorm room. It’s all about the pockets.

I hope you enjoyed creating this Pockets Full of Blessings wall quilt. There are many blessings out there, and I wish you the joy of discovering them.

Until we meet up again on QUILTsocial.com, remember to make a mess and create some fun.

So many days, so many blessings!

So many days, so many blessings!

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