How to Make a Christmas Tree Skirt

A Christmas tree skirt is an easy sewing project for the holidays. The skirt will extend 1 yard from the base of your tree. Decorate it any way you wish and use it for many years to come.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fringes
• Lace Trims
• Tassels
• Beads
• Cording
• Dressmaker Pins
• Fake Furs
• Glitter
• Sewing Machine
• Sewing Needles
• Thimbles
• Threads
• Scissors
• Scissors
• Pencils
• Pencils
• Yardsticks
• String
• Pencils
• 4 yds. 45-inch wide fabrics
• appliqués

1. Choose 4 yards of 45-inch-wide velvet, felt or a holiday print that will complement your tree ornaments and the rest of your holiday decorations.

2. Choose trimmings - cording, fringe, fake fur, beads, glitter, tassels, or appliqués made of felt or another fabric.

3. Cut your 4-yard length of fabric in half so that you now have two rectangular pieces of fabric that are 2 yards long.

4. 

   Pin the right sides of the fabric together and sew a 36-inch seam along one 2-yard edge of fabric. The unsewn portion of the seam will make up the opening in your tree skirt.

5. Fold the fabric in half, lengthwise, at the point where the seam you made in step 4 ends. You'll have a rectangle that is four layers thick.

6. 

   Place one end of a yardstick at the top, seamed corner of the folded fabric, and use the yardstick to make a circular mark along the raw edges of your fabric that extends 36 inches from the top. Cut along the marked line.

7. 

   Make another circular mark that extends just 3 inches around the top, seamed corner of the folded fabric. This will be for the center opening of your skirt. Cut along the marked lines.

8. Finish the cut edges of your skirt fabric. See "How to Keep Raw Fabric Edges From Fraying," under Related eHows, for instructions.

9. 

   Apply decorative trim, lace, fringe or fake fur to the edges of your tree skirt. This will add a special touch to your skirt and hide the finished edges.

10. 

    Drape the finished skirt around the base of your tree and tree stand, with the cut edge at the back.

Tips & Warnings

• Make your skirt any size you wish - just remember to increase or reduce the width and/or yardage of your fabric accordingly.
• Use this alternative method of measuring out the arc: Tie a 36-inch piece of string to a pencil and hold the end of the string at the top, seamed corner of the folded fabric. Move your pencil along the raw fabric edges, from top to bottom, as far as the string will allow until the arc is drawn.
• Make a backing for your Christmas tree skirt. Follow the directions for the skirt, pin the two pieces of fabric right sides together, and stitch the seams. Leave the center unstitched and turn right side out. Iron, then hand or machine stitch the seam for the center opening.

Resources

• Personalized Letter From Santa
• Christmas Recipes

[jillmaria]

on 8/31/2009 I took a torn vintage quilt, cut and hemmed to size. On the reverse, I embroidered my name and date for the item to be passed on to future generations. You can also use the same idea to make matching stockings if your irreparable quilt is large enough. Thanks!

[jull14]

on 7/12/2009 Excellent article and very helpful for many here at ehow. Thanks for sharing with us, keep up the good work. I really love your articles, they are very helpful and provide easy steps to follow.

[rpfroggy]

on 1/2/2008 If you use quality material and tasteful trimmings, the tree skirt can be used for many years to come. It may even become an heirloom!

on 12/13/2005 Just buy a really cheap, plain, felt tree skirt ($4 or so) and 20 cent sheets of felt in the craft section from a store like WalMart and glue on felt shapes (trees, ornaments, holly, pine cones, snowflakes, deer). You can also glue or sew on ribbons, beads, embroider the skirt or add on anything you please.

on 11/22/2005 Just go to your local Target, Wal-Mart or even a grocery store. Buy one large round plastic tablecloth, the ones with the white fuzzy backing. Go home, set up the tree and drape the tablecloth white fuzzy side up around the base of the stand. All done!