Ready for the last tutorial in the Deck the Halls series? Need something sparkly under your tree? Allow me to present the Starry Night Tree Skirt!
12 foundation pieced pointy stars add playful personality to your Christmas tree.
40" x 40" Tree Skirt
Please read through all directions before sewing. All seams are 1/4".
Materials:
Star pattern makes a 10" x 10" finished block
2.25 yards of background fabric (with leftovers)
4 fat quarters of printed fabric
half yard of binding fabric
1.5 yards backing fabric
batting 43" x 43"
4 feet of coordinating ribbon
Cutting:
Background fabric:
You are going to cut 4.5" x 4.5" squares for 12 star blocks. 8 per block = 96 squares total.
1. Cut 10 strips 4.5" x WOF (42") and keep folded.
2. Cut (5) 4.5" x 4.5" squares from the folded strips.
3. For the center of the tree skirt, Cut two pieces 10.5" x 20.5".
Feature Print Fabric:
You are going to cut 12 "4.5" x 4.5" squares for the centers of the stars. You will be making 3 star blocks from each fat quarter. 3 stars from each print = 24 of each arm print and 3 of each center.
1. Cut (3) 4.5" x 4.5" squares from each fat quarter.
2. Cut (24) 4.5" x 2.5" rectangles from each fat quarter (8 for each star.)
Assembly:
Now, lay out each piece and sew sections 1 & 2 together. Sew section 1-2 to section 3. Then sew section 1-2-3 to section 4.
3. Place your blocks in an alternating pattern and decide on your layout.
4. Sew the bottom row of 4 stars together.
5. Sew each middle row star to either side of the center fabric panel.
6. Sew the top row of 4 stars together.
7. Sew rows 1 & 2 together then rows 3 & 4.
8. Sew the top and bottom half together.
9. Quilt as desired.
10. Find the center, trace a circle (I used a bowl) in the center. Mine is 5.75" wide. Draw a line from that circle's to the edge of the quilt, in between the middle star blocks.
11. Now take a DEEP BREATH, grab some fabric scissors and cut along that pencil line and cut out the circle. I know, it is scary but you can do it!
12. Now, make your binding strips 2.5" and bind your quilt. The curve in the center is not so curvy that you need to use bias binding. Regular binding works fine. Just sew slowly!!
I like to sew my binding on the back side, flip it over to the front and machine sew it down on the front.
13. Lastly, cut 4 12" pieces of coordinating ribbon for the ties. Mark 5" and 10" from the center, along the under side of the binding. This is where you will attach your ties. Fold one end of the ribbon under a half inch then fold over again and sew onto the under side of the finished binding. Make sure the tail of the ribbon is trailing away from the tree skirt.
(Alternately you could attach the ribbon before sewing on your binding.) Repeat for the remaining ribbons.
Ta-da! Your Starry Night tree skirt is complete!
Fabric used: Cherry Christmas by Aneela Hoey
I hope you've enjoyed the Deck the Halls series! Be sure to visit all the stops in the hop for a chance to win great prizes.
*You can also shop Mountain of the Dragon (for some fabulous fabric!) from now until Christmas and get 15% off your order with the coupon code DECKTHEHALLS15.
Don't forget to enter to win my giveaway from Contemporary Cloth! Today's the last day!
Merry Christmas!
xo,
Jennifer
