Mellie Made Designs: DIY Ruffled Christmas Tree Skirt

For a couple of years I have been looking for a "unique" looking tree skirt...not your typical "red, green and gold" tree skirt. So I thought I'd give it a try, making me own. I didn't really have a pattern, I just knew I wanted it to have ruffles. This ended up being quick and easy, and what I have had in mind in terms or style, and the best part I got the colour I wanted....PINK!! You will need to use a more stiff material, I got mine in the tapestry section of the fabric store.

Items needed:

4 yards of material
a sheet
sewing machine
tape measure

glue gun

1. Using a tape measure, mark and cut a square out of the sheet that is approximately 4-1/2 feet x 4-1/2 feet. Fold the square into quarters, then over itself to form a triangle with the folded center at point. Cut base in a quarter circle (Image 1). Cut a small quarter circle out of the point (Image 3). Open the skirt until it's folded in half and cut along the radius on one side of the center hole only (Image 4). This will provide a hole for the tree trunk and a slit in the fabric so the skirt can be placed under the tree.

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

2. Using sharp scissors, cut three 10 inch strips of material. (or how many you need, depending on the amount of layers you want) To create ruffles, run these strips through the sewing machine using the longest stitch length your machine has. When done sewing, pull the boobin thread until you have the amount of ruffles you like, being careful not to break the thread.

3. Using the glue gun, begin gluing the ruffle to the sheet all the way around, beginning at the bottom and working your way up.

4. When your circle is filled with all the ruffle layers, measure around the circle at the top of the skirt and cut a piece of material double that size in length and about 4 inches in height. This piece will be used to cover up the thread showing at the top layer of ruffles.

5. Begin glueing this strip of material to the top of the skirt to give a more finished looking edge. Make sure that you leave an inch hanging over on the top to glue down onto the back of the skirt. You will need to pinch the material, onced glued down, to give a little of a ruffled look. Once you have worked your way around, flip it over and glue the top done onto the back of the tree skirt.