Do you guys realize Christmas is two weeks from yesterday!? Ack! So much for being ahead of the game around here! I still have more projects to complete and show you! They are mainly just fun ideas for this time of year, I’m trying to slow down and really savor these days.
Yesterday I showed you our cheerful tree, and today I’m going to show you how to make the cute Pom Pom Skirt!
I’ve yet to find a tree skirt I loved, or was willing to shell out the bucks for, so I’ve always improvised with blankets or sheepskin throws. But this year, it was especially important for us to have a skirt covering our tree’s underpinnings.
Since our tree moved to the Living Room, next to the big blue armoire, it needed a little boost to appear taller….so I rigged it up like any good blogger would….with paint cans. The plan was to use my new-found sewing skills *snort*, for our new tree skirt. All you need is a round tablecloth (this one is 70-inches, and was $10 at Target), several yards of trim, and sew-on snaps.
But by the name of this post, you know the sewing part didn’t work out so well. The machine jammed 12 times, forcing me to cut the
fabric out, so the machine and I broke up. Ikea was gracious about
the return, even though the problem was likely me! I’ve since ordered a Brother (on Courtney’s recommendation), so we’ll blame her if something goes wrong again. (You’re screwed, C!)
But fortunately, this project can carry on with a trusty glue gun, fabric glue or hem tape…so even better a No-Sew Tree Skirt was born! For the center circle, fold the skirt in quarters with the center at the point, then use a bowl to draw, then cut, your arch.
Spread the cloth out and wait for your “helper” to move on.
Cut a single line from the outside edge to the center circle. I goofed and made my circle much too big, so decide where you want the skirt to sit on your tree base before cutting the center circle.
Fold and iron the raw edges of your cut…then sew or glue them down. You can add snaps or velcro to both edges, or take the easy road and safety pin it together once on the tree.
All that’s left is adding your trim. I’m a sucker for pom-pom, so that was an easy choice for me. And since the table cloth is already hemmed, you can attach it to the front or back side. Using hot glue, I just worked my way around the edge. You’ll need six yards of trim for a 70-inch round. Or if you goof again and don’t get enough, just glue the trim to the front of the skirt and cover the back with presents. I’m told that works fine.
Arrange your skirt around the base of your tree, and close the seam in the back. I had to cinch it in the center quite a bit since I cut the hole too big, so it doesn’t spread as wide as I’d like.
I’m fairly obsessed with the pom pom peeking out.
I hope to climb back in the sewing saddle, but for now, I’m pretty pleased with this No-Sew Pom Pom Skirt!
What about you….are you a sewer or a gluer?
Ok this looks fabulous. I started to do the same and then quickly realized I was not going to do a tree this year because I am clearly lazy and a pagan. Truth.
Love how adorable and simple this is, Cassie! I think there's a time for gluing and a time for sewing. Good call here đŸ™‚
I'm a sewer myself, but have been known to bust out the glue gun from time to time if I think there is just no way I want to take the time to sew! I think you'll be much happier with a better known brand sewing machine – I've been sewing for many years and the only brands I trust for basic things like this would be Brother and Singer – an offbrand like IKEA is probably just asking for it. Hope you find success in a different machine! I have a feeling it will sort out some of your difficulties.
P.S. – I love coming to your blog to comment on posts (I often just read them through Google reader) but everytime I come to your blog my computer slows -way- the heck down starts acting all wonky – and then I hear talking coming out of the speakers (freaky!) – I am not sure if I'm the only person who has a computer that doesn't like it but I think the DIY video that starts by itself when you load the page is causing the slow-down. Anyway you could turn it so it doesn't automatically play? Sorry to bother! Just thought I'd point it out.
LOVE,LOVE,LOVE this!!! It turned out great,and loved the paint cans!!! đŸ™‚
I enjoy sewing straight lines:) But I am so far behind this year so it will be fabric glue for me! BTW, you should have better luck with your new Brother sewing machine;)
Wow…talk a bout a safety hazZard!
I like your tree skirt! Very cute! What I'm really loving though is your gift wrapping. Your bows are so much better than my store-bought stick-ons đŸ˜›
So cute! And I giggled at the site of the paint cans under the tree. A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do to get some height for her tree!
Love this idea! Totally genius. I will find any excuse to use pre hemmed items. Tablecloth curtains = true story đŸ™‚
Lol at your paint cans…only because I so need to steal the idea! My kids are taller than our tree this year. So sad! We went to cut it down and b/c of the drought there were only tiny trees available, well, the affordable ones anyway. Love your pom poms!
SO so smart to use the table cloth and then to trace a plate to cute the circle. Wowzer. I never would have that of that. If your new machine causes you any grief I totally did not recommend it. If you love it, it was all me!!!!
Hi Cassie:
Thanks so much for this post. Your tree skirt is truly adorable. I love it. I love the deep pink and white combo. I will definitely do this next year.
Anna
Love the pom-poms on the tree skirt. I'm definitely a gluer.
This is so cute but I think more than anything I love the paint cans. Great idea!!
I try to be a sewer…
this is really cute and looks much easier than the one I am in the middle of trying to make! I committed to one of those no sew canvas ruffle ones on pinterest and goodness it is taking forever! I should have gone this route
You are such a good little blogger. And I ADORE a pom pom trim. đŸ˜‰
Using a round table cloth is really genius! And I love the hot pink; so festive!!
Great post!
Lovin this and this is the kind of method that is right up my alley! đŸ™‚ especially considering the only thing i've sew is a button. Definite gluer here.
I love this. It's easy so I'm all for it! I've always struggled with the tree skirt. It's so hard to find one I like.
I hope you like your Brother sewing machine. I love mine. Very easy to use. Not that I'm even close to mastering sewing, but it's not the machine….
Love the pom-pom! Great idea! And don't give up on sewing…you'll love it once you get the basics down!
Love the pom poms girl! I am usually a sewer, however I just added some pom pom trim with Stitch Witchery to my niece's drapes in her room! It is so easy! You literally just cut the amount you want and place it behind the trim, then iron. It holds great! I have used this to hold a quick hem on pants and skirts! You MUST get some if you are a crazy crafter!
I cracked up when I saw you using paint cans – I just helped a client with Christmas decor and she was shocked when I needed to raid her pantry to use soup cans and etc help stack and layer things.
And I love pom poms – if I don't have to drag out the sewing machine I will take the easy way. Stitch witchery is my friend for sure!!
Merry Merry!!
Oh my gosh this is fabulous!!!
Perfect! This is the most darling tree skirt I've seen this year. The pom-pom fringe makes it. By the way, that pumpkin cake looks like a must try!
Such a cute DIY! You had me at 'no sew'.
That's super cute! And stacking it on top of paint cans is such a great idea for some added height!
This is one of the cutest and most brillz tree skirt I have seen yet! I need one like yesterday!
xo,
Jen
How smart! I might have to borrow this idea, as the tree skirt is the one thing I'm missing and I love those threshold tablecloths!