Measure from tree base out to where you want the tree skirt to end - this is your radius for your tree skirt circle. Draw this circle using the pencil and string method on kraft paper, draw circle in center about the size of the tree trunk. Fold the circle in half and on one of the folds, cut a line from the center circle out to the edge. This is your tree skirt: cut 2 pieces of fabric and one fusible fleece, fuse the fleece to the top piece. You can stitch rays of decorative stitching if you'd like, serge-hem the bottom edge, then set aside. Now cut off the bottom of the circle the width of the band you want plus 1" (for two 1/2" seams). Cut one piece of fabric from this pattern and iron fusible interfacing to the inside to stabilize it. Beginning inside the seam allowance, begin stitching various rows of your machine's decorative stitching until the band is full. Prairie Points: decide how tall you want your PP, double that height and add 1" for the bottom seams. Cut strips of fabric this width by WOF (width of fabric) - for instance, for a 3" high PP, cut strips 7" wide by about 44" for most fabrics. Press strips in half WST. Stitch one row of decorative stitching along fold. Now cut strips into blocks as wide as your finished PP (for this sample, 3"). On the ironing board, with the cut edges next to you, fold each top corner of the fold down like ears to the bottom center and press. Your beautiful decorative stitching now appears to be a center vertical stripe! Pin your PP on top of your skirt hem (the centers are not curved so they will be slightly higher - it's okay) and baste. Lay your band on top and stitch down. Bind the back opening and around the center circle. You're done! Place around your tree and the back areas just overlap for a smooth finish. (This project won the holiday Dare to Make It 2011 contest! yay!)Measure from tree base out to where you want the tree skirt to end - this is your radius for your tree skirt circle. Draw this circle using the pencil and string method on kraft paper, draw circle in center about the size of the tree trunk. Fold the circle in half and on one of the folds, cut a line from the center circle out to the edge. This is your tree skirt: cut 2 pieces of fabric and one ... Read full instructions »Difficulty:
Making something to compliment my Scherenschnitte ornaments when I couldn't find anything...
What advice would you give someone starting this project?
This is a small tree skirt - start with something small! I used two different sizes of prairie points and layered the smaller ones centered over the larger ones. This technique makes great straight bands as well, and I figured that if I put one on the side front opening of a jacket, I could put buttonholes in the center openings of some prairie points! Very formal.
wow, thanks! it is our favorite tree. Try Scherenschnitte, even the simple ones are gorgeous. Google it! You cut 2 papers together and stitch down the center, leaving thread for a loop.
Thanks! My very favorite kind of project is something that looks difficult - but it is just a trick. I don't have time or the memory cells any longer to do "difficult"! And it was fun, too!
thanks! Please try it on something, even something small and straight - like cuffs! Just play with different stitches, and different colors are really fun - but be sure to let some stitch rows overlap - it makes it look woven. Machine does the work!
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