A few weeks ago, Caroline of Sew Can She emailed to see if I would be interested in reviewing her latest Craftsy class making a Quilted Tree Skirt. Well, I've been wanting to make a tree skirt for a while now, and when I saw the picture I LOVED it and definitely wanted to learn how to make this one!
image courtesy of SewCanShe
Caroline's pattern is SO clever and easy to follow. The pattern is pre-cuts friendly - it calls for 2 ½" strips. So you can use your favorite pre-cuts, or easily cut your own strips (which is what I did) if you want to use your stash.
In addition to quilt piecing techniques, thanks to an easy strip-piecing method, Caroline also teaches how to easily quilt the tree-skirt yourself. I was a little worried about doing this because of the odd-shaped "quilt" with the many points, etc., but her method is SO SLICK and she makes it look so simple. She uses some quilt-as-you-go techniques to save a lot of time and headache. I loved it!
Caroline walks you through the whole process step-by-step in the video class. She also discusses quilting and how to make these tassels yourself from embroidery floss for the perfect finishing touch.
I use a more formal Christmas tree in my front room that has needed a tree skirt for way too long. (For the past few years I've been using a folded up table cloth from Target.) So I was very excited to finally make a pretty tree skirt for this tree. The tree is mostly gold and red so I choose these Gold Sparkle fabrics from Riley Blake (some prints are still available from Etsy) for a sparkly, fancy tree skirt.
The project came together really quickly for me and I'm thoroughly enjoying it! (I think part of the reason I enjoyed it so much is that I've been spending a lot of my quilting time lately trying to figure out how to tell other people to make something. So it was SO refreshing to not have to think and to just let sometime walk me through the steps for creating this project.) And Caroline's instructions are awesome.
Here's a sneak peek of how it's turning out so far. I love it and I can't wait to finish it up! I was amazed how quickly it came together - I got most of it done in one afternoon. (I think I could have got a lot farther if I hadn't had to stop and help proofread an 8th Grade US History paper about North American explorers. But that's important too, I suppose.)
I'm feeling pretty proud of myself for being ahead of the holiday game this year. (Usually I'm the queen of last-minute Christmas sewing, which then turns into post-Christmas sewing. By which time I'm kind of done with Christmas and it goes in a bag until next year's last-minute-Christmas sewing. It's a vicious cycle.)
You can find Caroline's Quilted Tree Skirt Class here on Craftsy*.
I think it's a great class for a great price! It's basically the same price as most individual patterns, but it's got a full video class to walk you through all the steps! I've enjoyed making it so much, I'm definitely going to make another one this year. Someone will get the coolest gift!
Post Update: Go here to see the finished version of my gold quilted tree skirt.
*FTC Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting Diary of a Quilter when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂
KATHEEN M STANDLEY
That's amazing! When I saw your first photo, I wondered to myself how it would look in neutrals and metalics...thanks for showing me! Love it.
Amy
You're welcome! 🙂
Gaila
Your Christmas tree skirt is beautiful, Amy! I especially like the colors you've chosen and can see it with your red and gold decorated tree.
Marta
Dear Amy, Because our family lives faraway and we go to see them at Christmas, we stopped putting up a big tree. We have a 3 foot one we put on a table on the front porch in front of the living room window. I have never found a good pattern for a skirt for the little tree. Do you have any suggestions? Your red and white is gorgeous. I would not want colors that would show the dust that comes in from our clay dirt road. I will just wash after the season. Thank you so much for any ideas.
Amy
Here is a version of this pattern where Heather reduced the size for a smaller tree. She has some good tips: https://thesewingloftblog.com/quilted-tree-skirt/
Maybe using reds will help camouflage the dust?
Doreen
Love it. Where do I find the 25% off coupon please
Amy
Hi Doreen! Click on the link that says 25% off. That will take you directly to the class. When you click Add to Cart, the discounted price will show up. (I don't know why it works that way, but for some reason it does.)
Needle and Foot
The tree skirt made in festive gold is so pretty. You will be so happy to use this come December!
Angela
I Love it!!! Am going to order the class and purchase the Riley Blake Rose Gold Collection. However, I don't know how I'll figure out the yardage! It is sold in fat quarters, which would give me 21" x 2.5 strips. Also sold as yardage.
Amy
Exciting! If you can purchase regular 1/4 yard cuts, that would give you the full width to cut your own 2 1/2" strips. I think if you got 4 or 5 cuts, you'd have a variety of prints but not too much left over. Or enough to make a second tree skirt!
Diane
Love this. What is the finished size?
Amy
It's about 52" x 52"
Cindy Wallace
Amy, I love your tree skirt! I bought the video class on Craftsy, but can’t find Caroline’s class materials (templates, yardage requirements, written instructions, etc.) Would you be able to tell me where I can find these things? Thanks a lot!
Chris Bolger
Hi, I am looking for this tree skirt pattern, but I understand that it is no longer available on Craftsy. Can I purchase it directly from the designer?
Amy
Good news! Craftsy has been acquired by a new company and will be available again in September along with all of it's online quilting classes. 🙂
Lauren Ohnesorge
Hi, I am looking to find the template for this design and am not seeing an active link. Is there a way to just get the template itself and not the videos if any of those are even available?
Amy
The pattern template is only available as part of the video class. Craftsy is back on line and the class is available again!
Jennifer Jimison
I had this class in my library and when I try to log into Craftsy it says it is unable to load and that my library is empty. Any suggestions?
Amy
Definitely reach out to Craftsy directly. They changed owners this summer and have been working feverishly to transfer everyone's classes to new accounts. They'll definitely be able to help!
Jan
I'm going to make this skirt with only 4 colors: black & white plaid, gray, black, & white. I'm going to use your template to make sold sections instead of strip piecing. That's every other plaid with white, gray and black alternating. It's not for me but a friend. I suppose I have to tape (overlap) the A & B template together accounting for the seam allowance? Wish me luck!!
Amy
That sounds so cool! Caroline's instructions are really good - she'll walk you through all of the details!
Christine Berry
Hi, there. I tried to purchase the online class for making the tree skirt and your website told me I hadn't entered my first name....when I had. Couldn't complete purchase.
Amy
Hi Christine! The class is hosted by the website, Craftsy, which is a separate website. I don't have any control over their registration process. Definitely reach out to the customer service. I'm sure they'll be able to get it taken care of. https://www.craftsy.com/contact/
THanks!
Luci Randall
I love it. My daughter has requested this for next year. How do I access (or purchase) the pattern without accessing Craftsy?
Amy
Unfortunately this pattern is only available through Craftsy. But, considering its the same price as most quilt patterns and you get video class instruction, it's a pretty great deal.