Reusable fabric Advent calendar candle

Start by cutting a piece of embroidery fabric to approximately 15 x 34 cm, and then print the number template. The numbers in the template are made in succession, but should you desire a shorter candle, the countdown numbers for Christmas can be arranged around the candle.

Now attach the template to the embroidery fabric with pins, and embroider the numbers with thread in your favourite colour.

Fold the fabric lengthwise with the wrong side facing outwards, and sew it together along the long side with approximately a 1 cm seam allowance. This can easily be done by hand if you do not have a sewing machine available. Then turn the long tube right side out, and set it aside.

Find a round object with a diameter of approximately 10 cm. You will use this as a template to draw and cut out two circles from the green felt. On one of the two circles, sketch a new, smaller circle inside. For this, you could use a toilet roll as a template. Cut out this inner circle, so you now have one whole circle and another circle with a hole in the centre.

Now cut a new piece of felt with a length matching the circumference of the toilet roll and a width of approximately 3 cm. Sew this onto the edge of the hole on one of the circles, as demonstrated in the video, to create a sort of felt container.

Place the non-perforated piece of felt behind the other piece of felt, as shown in the video, and sew them together along the edge.

Now fill the sewn 'felt container' with rice to add weight. Make sure to fill the felt opening approximately halfway with rice.

Cut a narrow piece of toilet roll to stabilise the felt base slightly, as shown in the video. Now sew the candle together with the green felt base. It may be helpful to add a bit of polyester filling to the base of the candle when the two parts are being sewn together.

Now, the branches are to be created. Cut a long piece of green felt with a width of approximately 3 cm, and apply double-sided tape along one edge. Cut fringes into the felt along the other edge. Remove the backing from the double-sided tape, and wrap the felt around a metal rod. Repeat this process until you have a total of three branches.

Use the template to cut holly leaves out of the green felt, and glue them onto shortened metal wires with the glue gun. Optionally, sew gold thread along the edges of the leaves for a decorative effect. Make as many as you wish.

Create a flame by cutting a flame-shaped piece of gold paper, and attach it to a shortened metal rod. Also, attach some gold string if you would like a more striking result.

Now it is time to assemble the Advent candle. Insert pine branches and holly leaves at the base of your advent candle, and perhaps sew a few beads onto the holly as small berries.

Now completely stuff the light with polyester filling, and sew the top together. Add the metal rod with the flame at the top.

Thread beads onto a small piece of thin wire, and shape it into a circle. Use a pin to attach the beaded circle to the advent candle, allowing you to mark the date. "Let us take turns moving the circle each day in December," Anna suggests. Clara adds, "That way we are united in the countdown to Christmas."