I sewed a Christmas Tree Skirt! I happen to be the luckiest crafter ever because my LYS (Local Yarn Shop) and LFS (Local Fabric Shop) are two doors down from one another. After work on Friday I stopped over at my LFS, Flying Geese. I definitely knew that I wanted to make tree skirt, but I was totally clueless as to the fabrics I wanted to use. Then, I found this pretty Moda fabric:
I fell in love with it immediately. I am not sure if you can tell from the picture, but the flower pattern is almost pixelated. Another good way to describe it is like pointillism; the pattern is made from little square dots. It is perfect.
When planning the tree skirt, I did know that I wanted to make it double-sided. I found this fabric for the other side:
It is VERY Christmassy, and I love it.
Then I was thinking about the edging, and Mardi at my LFS suggested using some type of decorative edging from Calico Corner's or JoAnn's. So I hopped on over to Calico Corners and found some bauble-type edging that screams Christmas to me. Here is the completed pallette:
I forgot to take pictures at the beginning of the process. It just completely slipped my mind, so forgive me. He are some progress pictures:
(I cut out the circle to about 44 inches in diameter and sewed the bauble-y edging with BAUBLES IN facing the RIGHT SIDE of the fabric)
(Pin much?)
(At first I thought my free motion foot would be the easiest to use when navigating the edging, after more stitching I realized that the walking foot worked really well too)
(close-up)
(Finished sewing the edging on)
(Then I cut the same 44 inch diameter circle from the reversible-side fabric and the batting. For the batting I used the thinnest 100% cotton batting possible)
(Then I had to pin together all 3 layers. The sandwich you see about is 1) Moda fabric RIGHT SIDE down, 2) Reversible-side fabric RIGHT SIDE UP, 3) backing. The difficult task was making sure that I didn't catch the bauble part of the edging in the stitching. After this portion was stitched all the way around, I cut a slit up the about 19 or so inches, just the radius of the fabric. And then cut around a circle that I had marked out in the beginning. Then I flipped the tree inside-out and had the right sides facing correctly.)
(I wish I had taken better progress pictures, but I didn't. This is a picture of me stitching up the cut going the radius of the fabric. I just folding the edges in and stitched right on top of the fabric using white thread in the bobbin and the needle. I also slid in white twill tape to act as the ties holding the skirt together)
(Sewing the inner circle of the skirt)
(FINISHED!)
(Completely finished skirt!)
I love how the skirt came out. It was pretty challenging, as I am new to sewing with curves and I have never used edgings before. In retrospect, I don't think I would change anything. I originally wanted to quilt the skirt, but I wasn't sure how to factor that into the pattern. Maybe next time!
I have a TON of leftover fabric and I hope to make Christmas stockings.
If anyone is interested in me creating a real tutorial, let me know and I will be happy to!
xoxo
P.S. that is item #2 off my bucket list!
I love this skirt, especially the red side :)
ReplyDeleteHow can I purchase one?!!!
Feel free to email me at craftmylifeaway@gmail.com and we can definitely set something up! I have lots of leftover red fabric and would be happy to make you one!
ReplyDeletei love the color combo, very pretty!!
ReplyDelete