Christmas Tree Skirt

After the success of my Peep Boots (and the approval of my family) I was inspired to make a coordinating tree skirt. I found this great tutorial on Sew 4 Home- only I wanted to be able to see all 8 patterns in this collection - mainly because I can't really say which 4 I like best and because my tree is nestled into a corner, you only ever get to see the front of the tree skirt... so I devised a simple pieced pattern that just introduces an extra step and allows for the showcasing of more patterns. Click here for the .pdf pattern piece. There is a full size for people who can print out large format 13x19 pages, or a version for letter-sized 8.5 x 11 which will require piecing and taping. Once you've sewn together the pieces (inner panel to outer panel) and have your slices of the pie ready to sew together, go back to this tutorial to finish through.

Couple of things to note: My skirt measures 48" wide. I used store-bought bias tape - just didn't have it in me to go the distance in such short time, though the red ditsy would've look marvelous!... I found Coats & Clark double-fold 1/2" wide bias tape in Taupe was an excellent match. I needed 3 packages (3yds ea). I backed my skirt with flannel, but it could be anything, really. I used a layer of thin organic cotton batting between and stitched it up as noted on the tutorial, plus I stitched in the ditch of the horizontal seams I made.

A few other directions:

1. Here's an image of what the letter-sized format pattern pieces should look like when pieced together-

the outer panel is above, the inner panel below).

2. Cut all 8 panels* of each pattern piece in various fabrics- you can be as random or pattern-like as you care to be with your fabric selections.

2a. *if you are using a one-directional print, be sure to align it so that the print will "face outward" from the tree trunk therefore it will look correct to you when looking down at it.

3. To create a full panel, sew the outer panel to inner panel (right sides together) matching notches. Press seam flat. Then continue to the tutorial.

Now, to decorate that tree! Hope your holidays has its share of crafty goodness!