Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Christmas tree skirt tutorial


First, make 15 little log cabin blocks. I basically used this method, but I didn't use those measurements. I used tiny scraps from my scrap bucket. The finished log cabin squares range in size from to 3.75" x 4.25" to 5" x 6".

I made them one of two ways:

green center, 4 red logs, then 4 green logs
or
red center, 4 green logs, then 4 red logs.

then I added 4 white borders so the block would be larger than 7.5"

trim up the block to 7.5"
do this for all 15 blocks.
also, cut one plain white square 7.5"

for the center of your tree skirt, cut a 21.5" square from the background fabric

layout as shown

sew together

baste

and quilt as desired.

cut out a piece of paper into a circle 5" in diameter and pin it to the center. Trace around it onto the fabric. Cut out the center circle, also make a slit to the edge. I used masking tape to mark my line for cutting to the edge then removed the tape immediately afterward.

now it's time to add the binding. I don't care for bias binding, so for the outside edges, I made straight grain binding by cutting 5 strips of fabric 2.25" x width of fabric, then joined them together.

starting at the left hand side, layout the binding around the perimeter of the quilt

and machine stitch in place

ending at the right hand edge of the circle.

hand stitch the binding to the back by hand
now, for the middle circle, you will need to use bias binding.
cut one strip on the bias measuring 2" wide by 22" long. I pieced mine to save fabric.
use a 1/2" binding tool to make the binding strip

fold in the raw edge
then fold two sides in toward the center and press. this will be the your starting edge.
with the starting edge at the beginning of the circle, pin in place, leaving a tail at the end of the circle
using a walking foot, sew into place. take it slow and easy and be careful not to stab yourself with all those pins sticking out.
sew to the end of the circle and back stitch
now trim the tail a bit and fold in the raw edges. you want this tail to be about 1.25" long after the edges are folded in.
at this point I changed to my regular 1/4" foot so I could sew the tab more neatly than if I was using my walking foot.
now all the edges should be sewn together
for the closure, I am using stainless steel snaps. I love these things-they are easy to use and durable. (I buy them at Wal-Mart, Jo Ann's or Hobby Lobby.) These are size 16 - 7/16".

(you can see the snap setter that I use on the left)
attach the snaps
and your tree skirt is done!


it's totally reversible, too. you could as easily use the back as the front.

The finished size is approximately 35" square.
If you have any questions, I'll try to answer them in the comments. Let me know if you use this tutorial to make a tree skirt. I'd love to see it.
Enjoy!

106 comments:

Elizabeth said...

That is really lovely! Great job!!

Laura said...

You are AMAZING!!! The tree skirt is ADORABLE!!! I love it! I am a new quilter. Two of my children are taking a quilting class with our home school group and so I am learning too! So fun! I have only made a doll sized quilt so far, but am working on two quilt tops right now...love it :)

Anonymous said...

Great idea! Love it! Thanks for sharing.

Robyn said...

Yet another project to add to my list!! I hope I have enough green and red scraps, 'cause I don't think my husband will appreciate any more fabric store trips!! :)

Jess said...

Great project, and you make it look so easy!

The WoodLand School said...

Spectacular!
Thanks for taking the time to post this tutorial : )

debbie said...

THAT IS ADORABLE!!! Thanks for sharing! :)

Erika said...

This is a great awesome idea I just love it!
Thank you for sharing
Erika

MichelleB said...

Wonderful! I love it!

Sherri said...

It's cute as can be...I think I'm going to make one!

Unknown said...

Looks great! I have the same plans. . . but I haven't started yet! :) I'll get there.

craftynana said...

Your tree skirt is so adorable! What size did you cut out for the pieces of the little blocks?

Thimbleanna said...

Very Cool! Thanks for the tutorial. I especially love the little snap at the top!

Anonymous said...

i love it! i love that you used straight grain binding for the majority and only bias for the circle. very clever!

Cindra said...

You make it look so easy. I may have to try this!

Anina said...

"Sew" very very wonderful!

Amanda Jean said...

craftynana,

the little pieces vary in size. some of the center blocks are about 1" to 1.5" finished. the logs are from 1/2" wide to 1" wide or so. they are all just scraps, so they vary quite a bit.

aj

Karen said...

Toooooo Cooooool! You are so creative. Used your idea for the dish towels. There's a pic on my blog. Also working on an hour glass quilt. Thanks for sooooo many ideas;)

KateKwiltz said...

Fantastic!

Kathi Thompson said...

You have great tutorials. They make everything look do-able.

Unknown said...

Very cute tree skirt and great tutorial!! Love the snap idea!!

Mama Urchin said...

I love that this can be woodsy and old fashioned or slick and modern.

Christina said...

I love it, thank you.

Tori Leslie said...

You are amazing!! This is so nice and it's going to look lovely around someones ho-ho tree!

Wonderful tutorial!!

Andrea said...

Fantastic tutorial. I will have to give this a try.

Browndirtcottage said...

...((( me...standing...clapping )))......this most definately deserves a standing ovation

The Davies Family said...

This is ADORABLE! What is a snap setter? I have been trying to figure out how to set a snap with a hammer and a tool that folds in half that comes with the snaps. It doesn't work. Where can I purchase a snap setter? It looks so easy! Thank you!

Nancy said...

Holy Smoly...that is A..door...able...

and maybe, just maybe A..do...able...

Trina said...

So so beautiful! Wonderful! Terrific! Thanks for sharing the how-to. There is no choice but to make my own now. Even though my tree is fake and only two feet tall.

Philigry said...

oh you! I adore this! i love all the colors together.
I wanted to ask you about a walking foot. I know nothing about them. Is it something I can buy for the machine I have now, or is it something that has to come with a machine? I have a very inexpensive machine (white 1418) with no bells or whistles. I am getting into quilting quite a bit, and I have hear a walking foot will help.
If you get a chance, let me know what you think.
Thanks again for another super idea!

Bobbinoggin said...

you're such a wiz when it comes to tutorials. :)

Cheryl Arkison said...

Fantastic! I might finally get around to making a tree skirt this year now - I bought the fabric last year... Oh wait, we aren't doing a tree this year. I guess that gives me lots of time to get it done!

Amanda Jean said...

the davies family,

I think you have the tools that you need. I am using the same thing you have, or so it sounds. you have to pound it very hard with a hammer. that should do the trick. good luck!

aj

jenclair said...

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing the tutorial!

lera said...

I love this. It almost makes me want to attempt quilting. I might have to stick with the lame lame' one more year. :-)

Anonymous said...

This is super cute! Ack! I need more time before Christmas to make all the things I've got percolating in my brain :)

house on hill road said...

really really cute!

wyndesnow said...

It's so beautiful.

aSprinkling said...

How about a tutorial on your quilting process. I love the finished look!

amy smart said...

Ahh! So cute! The teaser yesterday made me come back to see the finished product. I am in the mood to try some scrappy log-cabins!

pam said...

Oh my goodness. What a cute tree skirt. I will have to put this on my list of things to do. I know I won't have one done for this Christmas but maybe by next year.
You know, maybe I could whip on up.
Thanks so much for the tutorial. I love your blog and visit every morning.

dutchcomfort said...

Wow, never heard of a tree skirt before.
I would never be so courageous to cut a hole in my quilt! But, thanks for the tutorial, it looks great and can be used for quilts without a hole!

Nanette Merrill said...

Ok that is the cutest tree skirt ever!! I cannot believe how darling that is. What a great idea. Leave it to you Amanda. You have such fabulous ideas and execution.

Tine said...

Cute cute cute! I love it :-)

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I love, love, love this!

Linda said...

Very cute! Great idea. I need a tree skirt, too. Just finding the time to make one is the problem. lol

Two Dogs and a Quilt said...

This is lovely. I like a square tree skirt. Thanks for the tutorial!

Renee said...

Gorgeous! I love the white background.

em's scrapbag said...

Thanks for sharring this. It was a great tutorial.

Vicki W said...

That's a great tutorial!

Anonymous said...

Looks very modern with a traditional touch. It's beautiful!
Thank you :)

Fran said...

What a great tutorial and what a lovely cheery tree skirt. It puts me in mind of Christmas cards.

Nice Work

~~Fran...:c)

jmb_craftypickle said...

Ummmm...it has all been said, but that was a great tutorial...just great!

dot said...

How cute and what a great idea.

Bonny said...

very cute! i'm going to link it up on my quilting blog!

Linda said...

That is stunning! As is the scrappy log baby quilt!
Thank you for both tutorials!
Linda

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

awesome tutorial! great job! tree skirt looks amazing!

Liz said...

Beautiful. I'm still working on Halloween - but I do need a tree skirt...

Louise said...

That is fantastic and I love, love, love how you've done the binding!! What I want is a tutorial for how you fit all these things into one week??? I struggle to produce one flipping pattern in a month and you zip 'em out overnight!! How much sleep do you get?? I just had a lovely morning choosing christmas fabric for my christmas patterns - can't wait to get stuck in now!

Anonymous said...

Great tutorial...I love it!
But I want to ask, I celebrate Xmas, but don't accustomed with tree skirt (I come from Indonesia)What is it? I guess you placed the tree skirt on the bottom of the xmast tree trunk, the place where we put all the gifts..

Jane said...

Wow. Just when I think you cannot get more creative ---- you do! I literally cannot keep up with you! I'm still finishing the quilt alongs! [but I did finish two baby quilts based on your logs!]
~jane

Myra said...

A great tutorial on the tree skirt! Good for you!!! 8-)
Happy stitchings!

Maria Teresa said...

I love it. Thanks for sharing!!!

Em said...

Another excelent Tute
thanks for sharing
x Em

Anonymous said...

Fabulous tutorial - thanks so much for taking the time to do it so clearly.
Jan

Marcia said...

Another great tutorial. You are such a generous gal to share all of this great creativity and knowledge. Love you!

Abby and Stephanie said...

I just bookmarked this tree skirt, different blocks and fabric used, in one of my quilt books. I like your choice of blocks and colors much better. Each year I tell myself I'll make a new tree skirt and each year I do not. Now I'm inspired.

Amanda Jean said...

henny,

you are exactly right, you place the tree skirt around the bottom of the tree, then cover it up with all kinds of presents. :)

aj

Growth in God said...

This is amazing. Thank you for sharing. You make it look ever so easy.

Solidia said...

This is really cute! Thanks for the tutorial!!

Rebekah said...

so cute! Thanks for the tutorial. My tree is definitely missing a handmade skirt...

jacqui jones said...

beautiful...thanks i can so see one of these coming for our tree this year

M said...

*groan*

You must make a gazillion of these and sell them on etsy....I would buy one for sure :) Great job

Christine said...

What a perfect tree skirt. Thank you for the tutorial.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the tutorial.
I am making one right now and have enjoyed it all the way to the point were I realized that my version was going to be twice yours. Don't tell me everything is bigger in America, cause I have to find the largest Christmas tree ever!
I have posted some pictures in my blogg.(www.tittei.net) Will let you know when it is finished.
Thank you again.

Laurie said...

I love the tree skirt. Thanks for the tutorial!
Laurie

bunting said...

Thank you for a beautifully clear and well thought out tutorial. I always think I will make one, and so far, haven't .... but this might just boot me in the right direction!
PS Just found your blog today, and I love it - hope you don't mind if I add a link to this post on my blog?
Best wishes, and happy quilting!

thehummingcat said...

How cute is that! Your so talented.

Lisa said...

wow! that is so cool! thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Wow! This turned out lovely. I love the log cabins... it's an excellent tutorial!

Anonymous said...

That is the coolest tree skirt ever! Well done. Just found your website and loving it!

Barefoot Quilter said...

You are so talented. This is such a cute Christmas tree skirt.

Bison Girl said...

I've searched for a very long time for a quilted tree skirt I liked and FINALLy I found one! thank you thank you! I'll let you know when I finish mine.

sewkalico said...

What a gorgeous tree skirt!! I wish I had the time to make it!

Vero said...

With all the scraps I have at home, it will be an easy way of using all of them.

Thanks for the good idea...

Vero

Bison Girl said...

Thanks again for the great tutorial. Here is my (blogged) finished tree skirt: http://www.bisongirl.com/2008/12/our-tree-has-skirt.html

I love it!

Anonymous said...

I think your skirt is absolutely wonderful, loveable, adorable and looks like a fun thing to make. margaret d. kelly

Anonymous said...

Thanks - this is just what I needed today. Here is a place where you can dowload a 5" circle template:
http://www.americanna.com/pdftemplates/5-circle.pdf

Nicole

Celia Marie (W.) B. said...

I just finished mine tonight. Thanks for the inspiration and help!

62cherry said...

you are AMAZING!!!!

Sara said...

Beautiful. Pardon what is probably a silly question, but how do you quilt like that? Are you really good at "free form" quilting (I think that's what it's called) or is this what those very nice higher end sewing machines specially for quilting can do?

susan said...

i made one!!
thanks again for the great tute

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/3174915897_3c24d33440_t.jpg

Amber said...

I'm working on 2 (one is a slightly different version) right now, is there a flicker group to post pics to or do you just want a link?

Prairie Sage Farm said...

It's august and I'm already thinking about christmas. Thanks for the tree skirt tutorial.

Jeremy said...

Thank you for the tutorial! Here is mine: http://sewlikeaman.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-tree-skirt-apalooza.html

Anonymous said...

Esta increible, tratare de hacer el mio. gracias

Veronica Arteira said...

Nao me canso de olhar esta toalha. Linda, linda.

Camden said...

I'm trying to get a head start on Christmas this year. Love the idea of making my own tree skirt - you make it look so simple (and beautiful)! Thanks for the detailed instructions.

Kari said...

Wow! This is a really great and detailed tutorial. Maybe there is hope for me sewing my own tree skirt after all! :)

I wrote about your tutorial a bit on my new Christmas blog:

http://mustbechristmas.com/2010/11/patchwork-christmas-tree-skirts/

Thanks so much!

The Killham Family said...

Beautiful! Thanks so much for the tutorial!

Mine is posted here:
http://emilyandowenkillham.blogspot.com/2010/11/tree-skirt.html

Stacey said...

What is that handy little tool you are using in the picture with your iron when you are making your binding? It looks like it is folding the material as you go and you don't have to worry about your binding being all screwy like mine always is!

Anonymous said...

I know you posted this 3 years ago, but I just happened upon it today...it is darling! I just wanted to send a big THANKS for sharing your creativity with us!!
Kan

Sandra said...

I just found this; awesome idea, whoever said skirts had to be round. I could do this, just give me another few years.......

Carrie P. said...

this tree skirt is fabulous. You did a great job on the tutorial. thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas!

Nancy said...

I know it has been a while since you posted this tutorial, but I used it and thought I'd share my finish.
http://nancy-noodle.blogspot.com/2011/12/savvy-seasons-swap.html
Thanks for the fun and fabulous tutorial.

Kristen said...

I just happened on this linked at Pink Chalk Fabrics. I need something for our tree and this is darling!