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While most people spend a lot of time decorating their Christmas trees, the final thing that you need to add is your tree skirt. In this article I am going to give you instructions on making your own patchwork Christmas tree skirt. By using different fabrics and color combinations you can make this tree skirt to match any decor from country to Victorian. While most people will stick to the traditional red, white and green for these quick and easy tree skirts, they can be made in a variety of colors to match any room in your home.
You will need to purchase the following things for your tree skirt.
1 7/8 yards of fabric (ruffle, ties and patches)
1 7/8 yards of fabric (back and patches)
2/3 yard of a solid color fabric (patches)
2/3 yard of a contrasting print fabric (patches)
1 1/4 yards of ultra loft batting
embroidery floss, yarn or ribbon to tie your tree skirt
If you want a fancier tree skirt, you can also purchase lace to be added to the top of the ruffle. Also be sure to wash, dry and press all of your fabrics before starting your project.
From the fabric that you have chosen for your ruffle, cut 5 strips, 45 x 7 inches. Cut 1 strip, 45 x 4 inches. Cut the remaining fabric into 15 6 x 6 inch squares. With the backing fabric, cut a 44 inch square. Cut the remaining piece of this fabric into 15 6 x 6 inch squares. From the two remaining fabrics, cut 15 6 x 6 inch squares each. All total, you will have 60 squares, 15 of each color.
Now on a large surface, lay out a row of 6 squares, alternating the colors. Below the first row lay out six rows of 8 squares, then finish off with a row of 6 squares. You will now have an eight row square that is missing the corners. Also be sure that your blocks are alternated in a pattern that is running diagonally.
You are now going to join your squares together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. First join the squares into rows, then join the rows together. Be sure to press after each step, this makes for much neater and professional looking work. Plus if you press the seams in the first row one way, and the seams in the second row the other way, this will make matching your seams much easier. Since the seams are each going in opposite directions, they will actually interlock, making pinning much easier. Plus your seams will line up perfectly every time.
After you have all of your blocks sewn together, fold your completed large square into quarters, edges matching and right sides together. Pin the edges and the fold of this piece. With a yard stick and a pencil, place the end of the yard stick in the folded corner. Hold the pencil at the 22 inch point and draw a quarter circle on your folded piece. (This will give you a circular shape to your tree skirt) Also from the same pivot point, draw a quarter circle at the 3 inch point. (This will give you the opening for the trunk in your tree skirt) Now, cut out your tree skirt, leaving it folded still. With your backing piece of fabric, fold this in the same manner, and lay your cut tree skirt on top of the backing piece. Using the patchwork piece for a pattern, cut out your back.
On the patchwork piece, carefully open up one straight seam to make the opening in your tree skirt. You will now need to stay stitch around the entire patchwork tree skirt, just to make sure that none of your stitching pulls out. On the backing piece you will need to cut from the outside edge to the center circle, again making an opening in your tree skirt.
Using the backing piece for a pattern, you will need to cut your batting. Simply lay the backing on top of the batting and cut. Also cut the same opening slash in the batting.
To make your ruffle, join the 5 strips into one long strip, sewing the seams right sides together. Press. With the wrong sides together, fold this entire strip in half lengthwise, and press. With a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine, sew over a heavy string on the raw edge of the ruffle piece. Just be sure that you do not catch the string in the stitches. Take your tie piece, and sewing right sides together, lengthwise, sew across the short end, down the long side and across the short end at the opposite end. Cut this piece in half, and turn it right side out, press.
Next, you are going to pin your ruffle to your patchwork skirt top. With the folded edge of the ruffle inward, and the raw edges even, start pinning the edge of the ruffle to the outside curve of the skirt. You will be starting this 1/4 inch away from the slit in the skirt. Gather the ruffle by simply pulling on the string, be sure that your gathers are even. If you would like to add lace to your skirt, this is the step in which you will do that. Just place the lace in the same manner that you are placing the ruffle, but place the lace between the ruffle and the skirt itself.
Pin the tie pieces on each side of the small circle, 1/4 inch below the opening. Baste your ruffle to your patchwork piece.
Pin your tie ends into the center of the skirt to keep from catching them in your seams. Pin the skirt top to the back, right sides together and raw edges even. Lay the batting on top of the backing. Stitch through all of the layers, leaving a space of about 8 inches on one of the straight seams for turning. After sewing, turn your skirt right side out, and slip stitch your opening closed.
Lastly tie your skirt by using the embroidery floss, yarn or ribbon. This will tie all of the layers together, simply using a heavy needle, start on the front. Take a stitch down through all of the layers, come back up through all the layers, just about a 1/8 inch away, and tie a bow or a knot. The best place to do this is in the corners where the squares are joined.
That is it! Once you see how quick and easy these are to make, you will not only be making them for yourself, but as gifts for family and friends.
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