No-Sew Oilcloth Tree Skirt

If you're like me you really love a retro tinsel tree. But, one of the drawbacks of artificial trees is the tiny little pole that holds all that kitschy bling. It's really hard to find a tree skirt that has a small enough hole that will cover up the tree stand. So when I set out to decorate my tree this year, I knew it was time to make a quick and easy tree skirt that would go right up to the pole.

My silver Christmas tree sits in a corner that has a radiator and a fireplace hearth, so I went with a small 28" diameter tree skirt. It's just a few inches bigger than the tree stand and works well in the space allowed. Oilcloth is 47" wide, so you can make it much bigger than my sample.

Once I picked out the red lace oilcloth, I needed to find the center of the oilcloth. Notice how the print has a medallion motif in the center of the width of the oilcloth? This motif repeats every 16 inches, so when you are working with a print with a predominate repeat you need to buy a bit more fabric than you need, so you can adjust your pattern left and right so your circular tree skirt looks its best.

Once I found the center of what will be my oilcloth tree skirt, I folded it in half and did a little finger press to mark my center with a crease.

Next, I fold it into quarters so the wrong side is out; do so by folding it half width-wise and then length wise. Thankfully you can see a faint bit of the lace on the back side to help you fold properly and find dead center of the medallion.

To double check the placement you can place a pin in the corner as shown above. Open up the fold and check to see if your pin is in the center. If not, make any adjustments needed.

Refold and place some clothes pens along the folds to keep the fabric from sliding around. Use your ruler to measure out a quarter circle. Once you decide on the diameter of your tree skirt divide your that number by 2. My tree skirt is 28", so I drew an arc that is 14" from the corner, or pivot point. Using a ruler or table measure, make a series of dashes every inch or two from the top to the bottom of your arc, then connecting the dots into a smooth curve.

Do the same process for the smaller hole that is in the center of your tree skirt. This hole needs to be the same diameter as the hole in the base of your stand that holds the pole of your tree. My stand has a 1" diameter hole so I make a tiny 1/2" arch at the corner of my folded tree skirt fabric.

Oilcloth doesn't fray or ravel so you don't have to finish off the edges. I used pinking shears to cut out the outer circle and regular scissors to cut out the center hole.

Now unfold the tree skirt and cut a straight line from the outer edge to the hole. I did this with a rotary cutter and ruler on top of my cutting mat. I just followed the print of the fabric to do so. This slit allows me to get the tree skirt on and off with ease.

June Suggests: If you have the time to make this super fancy you could trim off the edges with 1/4" bias tape, but you don't have to.

Simply wrap the tree skirt around the base of your tree and allow it to cover the stand. The back of the skirt will overlap and create a little volcano like shape. See, easy peasy!

Helpful tip: Oilcloth tree skirts are great for pet owners; the non-stick, water-proof, easy-to-clean surface helps with many issues.

DIY Kit: Hanging Chalkcloth Banner!

Perfect for the holiday chalk art, dinner party menus, or an everyday to do list! Use this kit to make your very own Hanging Chalkcloth Banner. Click here to see the tutorial! 

Kit Includes:
- 18" x 47" of chalk cloth
- 24" dowel rod
- 1 yard of mini pom-pom trim
- 1 yard of ribbon
- 1 yard of bias trim
- 3 yards of 3 different rick racks
- 1 piece of chalk
- 1 permanent chalk marker
- Instruction sheet

Kit Price: $20.00

Choose from 3 colors, green, aqua and red!

Scrappy and Simple Bunting Tutorial!

Here is a very simple way to make a pretty spring banner. This is a much simpler and smaller version of the Fair Flags that we made last year for the Rhinebeck Country Living Fair. I made the ones shown here for The Painted Home's, Crafty Camper.

Materials and Supplies

• Fabric scraps that are at least 6" W x 16" L
• Twine, yarn, or rick rack, 35" longer than desired length of banner
• Clear ruler
• Scissors
• Rotary cutter and mat (optional)

Planning It Out
As you plan out your Scrappy and Simple Bunting you want to have a location in mind. Lets use my fireplace mantel as a example. My mantle is 80" wide so I added 20" for two ties and 15" for swag. Thus my total twine length was 115" long.

Each flag is 6" wide and I like the look of 1"- 2" between each flag, so I opted for 8 flags. The great thing about using twine, is that if you need it to be longer you can can just tie on more twine. The best part of this project is simplicity and speed!

Again, for this project is that you can use any type of fabric you desire! I used scrapes of laminated cotton for this bunting, it was all leftover fabric from the pillows that I made for the Crafty Camper. You could use cotton, oilcloth or even paper for this project.

Cut the scrapes down to 6" W x 16" L rectangle and fold them in half lengthwise. Take pin the raw edges together near the bottom. 

Now fold your flag in half width-wise so you have a 3'' x 8" flag to cut. With your rotary cutter, mat and clear ruler, cut a diagonal line that cuts a 2" notch into the center of the flag.

Now you have a notched two-sided flag.

Now it's time to get stringing! Take your twine and measure out a 10" and make a double knot at that mark. This is where you are going to start your flags. Just open up your flags and slide then around the twine, now just fold the flag closed. 

The shiny fabric can be a bit sticky so when working with laminated cotton or oilcloth you'll want to use a specialty foot like this roller foot that I attached to my sewing machine. Don't have a fancy foot? No worries, just trick out a regular foot with tape.

Here's another handy tip, when your top stitching on slick fabric you want to lengthen your stitch length to 4, this will keep your sewing machine moving along easily.

Now line the side of your foot right up to the bump of twine that is within the fold and sew along the top of you flag, creating a little channel for your twine. Back tack on each end of your flags. Be careful, making sure not to sew across twine. If you catch a bit of it by accident you just need to rip out your stitches and redo it. The flags need to move freely from right to left on the twine.

This is a great project to use the sewing technique called chain stitching. As you finish sewing the channel for one flag keep sewing. Run your machine to create a few (empty) stitches, then add the next flag and sew that one in place. Once you have all your flags sewn around the twine you can clip the treads between each flag and you are almost done!

The only thing left to do it to hang and enjoy it! I use cup hooks on my mantle to hang all sort of good things through out the year. These hooks were left over from Christmas stockings. I put a slip knot at each end of the twine and hook it to the hook. Just move your flags from right to left till you like the spacing. 

I love how Denise used her Scrappy and Simple Bunting in the Crafty Camper! What a fun little window treatment.

I hope you enjoy this simple little bunting!

XOXOX,
Kelly

DIY Kit of the Month: Farmers Market Tote Bundle

Photo's by Meghan McSweeney

This months kit is fabric and webbing for our Sewing with Oilcloth, Farmers Market Tote. Spring is springing so must be prepared for the first day at the market!! We've made it easy for you, just pick four prints from our wide selection of oilcloth.

Combo Pack Includes:
One yard of 47/48” oilcloth for main tote
One yard of 47/48” oilcloth for lining and trim
One half yard of 47/48” oilcloth for side pockets
One fat quarter 47/48” oilcloth for center pocket and trim (free with combo pack
52" of 1' Webbing choose from Red or Black


Happy Sewing!