Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Sew a Tutu Christmas Tree Skirt

 
My daughter recently asked me to make her a Christmas tree skirt.  Not just any tree skirt, but one that looks like snow.
 
Challenge accepted!  I decided to use a luxurious organza tulle fabric with a little sparkle and got to work.  This was such a fun project!  Here's how, if you want to give it a go...
 
SUPPLIES:
20 yards tulle
1 yard white cotton
Tape measure
Scissors
String
Pen or pencil
Push pin
Pad of paper (or something similar to cushion push pin)
Sewing machine & thread
 
 
 On a big, clean, flat surface (I used the floor), lay down your pad of paper and then drape your cotton on top so that the paper is in the middle, underneath the cotton.  Tie a string (mine was about 22" long) to the push pen and then to the end of your pen and poke the push pin through the cotton into your pad of paper:
 
 
 Gently stretch out the string and draw a circle all around your fabric:
 
 
Remove your push pin and cut out the circle you've drawn.  Next, grab something round that you can use to draw a circle in the middle of your cotton circle ~ this will be for the trunk of your Christmas tree (I used a 9" dinner plate):
 
 
Fold your cotton circle in half and cut out the trunk circle you've drawn:
 

Cut along one side of your fold, up to where your trunk circle is ~ this is the opening to your tree skirt:
 
 
Your cotton circle should now look like this:
 
 
Finish the edges of your trunk circle, the opening, and all around the outer edge of your circle with bias tape:
 
 
Now you're ready for the fun part!  Take your tulle and fold it several times.  Measure about 3" and cut through your folds...


...So that you have long strips of tulle:


Beginning at the inner edge of your circle, use your fingers to pinch five or so ruffles at a time and sew them onto your cotton (stitch right down the middle of your ruffles).  You'll want to continue pinching your tulle into ruffles ever inch or two, and sewing your strips down until you've completely covered all of the cotton circle.
 

The more ruffles you pinch, and the closer you sew them together, the tighter and fluffier your skirt will be.  This is very easy to do, it just takes a lot of time, and a lot of tulle!

 
But it's totally worth it!  After about three hours this is what you'll have!
 
 
A fluffy, frothy tree skirt so pretty that you'll want to slip it on yourself just for fun!  Oh, and grab your sparkly high heels to pose for the picture.

 
I'm seriously in love with this confection!  (I stitched two long pieces of silver cording to the inner circle for closing/securing the skirt around the tree.)


It really does look like snow!

 
If you're not a DIY type, I've listed these Retro Revival Tutu Christmas tree skirts in my Etsy shop.  This ethereal organza tulle is available in just about every color ~ gold, aqua, baby pink, bright pink, etc.
 
Hope you all have a great day!

7 comments:

Paulette said...

Cindy your tree skirt is beautiful and does look like snow. Your tutorial was on how to make this is fantastic. Thank you.

Becky said...

So stinkin adorable! And the tree skirt is too. My cats would go nuts!

Anonymous said...

Ooo! How dreamy!

I wondered how to make a big circle! thanks for the tip! ♥

Jasper's Cottage said...

Your Christmas card this year should feature you and the tree in matching outfits!

Little Susie Home Maker said...

That is wonderfully beautiful. How pretty a skirt for you and the tree!
Blessings,
Susie

Unknown said...

This is so awesome!
Hey, I have recently discovered the ruffling or pleating attachment! I have a few that came in the attachment boxes with my vintage sewing machines. I finally got the courage and time to try it out....it is amazing! I wonder if that would help things go faster??? Or would it not be the same?

Tami Von Zalez said...

That's a whole lotta tutu!