Thursday, July 30, 2020

Christmas in July - Tree Skirts Then and Now



First, a big thanks to Carol @ JustLetMeQuilt for hosting this fun "Christmas in July - Then and Now" Blog Hop!  It's always so delightful to visit virtual friends and make new ones on these hops - thanks for carrying on the tradition!


I remember growing up with a mangy-looking tree skirt that was like batting with glitter on it that we would wad up to look like sparkling snow.

It was about 2009 when I first made a king-size Carpenter's Star and realized that the center star would make a cute tree skirt.  That's when my love for a "Quilted Christmas" began and I made my first tree skirt - pictured above.

The following year, I needed to make another version, because the bolt of wrapping paper I had purchased just happened to be a brighter red and I wanted to coordinate, haha!  So I whipped up this one:

Then I wrote up a pattern and taught some classes.  Click the photo for a little showcase:

A few years later, I made a second version filling in the star points and making less angles to bind.  I've since named this one Peppermint Candy.


Here is yet another version with a different line of fabric:

Peppermint Candy Tree Skirt 

Even made a miniature version, plus a few matching Little Birdies for the tabletop.


So now, the pattern contains both versions, including the minis, plus a bonus Little Birdie ornament/pincushion pattern.  I've gotten away from matching the wrapping paper to the Christmas decor, lol!  But now we have choices.

Then I tried a new style, but based on the star center.  I like this one too!
Star Weave Tree Skirt 
If you were wondering how to add a binding to odd-angle quilts like these tree skirts, here's a little tutorial:  

And here's how to finish the edge of a tree skirt without binding:


Here's how I machine-quilt a tree skirt that is pre-bound:


And here's a link to one of my favorite posts that includes how to make a batch of Little Birdie ornaments, how I usually quilt my tree skirts. plus a recipe for Soft Ginger Snaps:


Aaaand then, as a project designer for Riley Blake Designs, another cute line of fabrics came up and pretty much dictated how and what to make.  Does this happen to you?  Do fabrics speak to you?  I essentially ended up with a brand new tree skirt.   I love this one too!
Log Cabin Tree Quilted Tree Skirt & Ornaments
And of course, matching ornaments!

Had fun with the quilting on this one.



This tree skirt was made a couple of years ago, but I have seen several new fabrics this season that would work well.  Check out Christmas Traditions, Naughty or Nice, The Christmas Card.  I used yardage, but I think it would be sweet and scrappy with a roll of 2-1/2" strips too!  Maybe that's my next one!

Want to get a head start on Christmas?  Tree skirts make great gifts, too!  Easy to make, quick to finish, fun to decorate with. How about a giveaway?  The winner will have the choice of their favorite tree skirt pattern above and I'll send along some additional Holiday goodies.  (Out of USA winner will receive a digital bundle.)

I'll announce the winner next Thursday.
UPDATE:  Random.org selected my winners, one in the US, one International!  CONGRATS!!
Be sure to hop by today's lineup for more fun and inspiration!
Quiltscapes << thanks for stopping by!

It's been a fun week - here's the full lineup:  Christmas in July Then & Now
See the PINTEREST page for the full collection of projects and ideas so far!

Happy Quilting!!

69 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your pretty tre skirts. Very festive.

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  2. The latest star-centered woven tree skirt is my favorite but the ornaments are too cute!

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  3. Your tree skirts are all gorgeous Deonn! The newest log cabin tree pattern is really clever and the ornaments are adorable too.

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  4. What a wonderful collection of tree skirts. I've made a few over the years, mainly as gifts but after admiring yours I just might need to make myself a new one for this year. Thanks for sharing them with us.

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  5. It's difficult to choose just one but I like the Star Weave pattern

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  6. Love the tree skirts! I think my favourite might be ???

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  7. All your tree skirts are lovely - I have made several thru the years as well -- I really like the Log Cabin Tree Skirt!!

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  8. Wow! I’ve always been I,pressed with the one tree skirt my mom made, let alone the many you’ve made!

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  9. Oh, what pretty tree skirts. So fun to see all the versions of the first one that you've made. I love the second one too - if I win, it will be difficult to choose!

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  10. I love all of your free skirts, and desperately need one. I think the log cabin is my favourite.

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  11. Those tree skirts are wonderful. I like the log cabin one the best but the star weave is really nice as well. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. Your tree skirts are fantabulous. With all the fun from the pandemic, looking at and drooling over your tree skirts gives me hope Christmas will bring brighter days. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Oops! Star Weave. Add this to my previous comment, please.

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  14. I love the Star Weave Tree Skirt the best, but, it is a close call. Thanks

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  15. I love those tree skirts. Each one a treasure of their own. The log cabin skirt is really fun. For some reason it makes me think of The Grinch who stole Christmas movie. LOL!! I am still loving the cardinal you sent me years ago! :-)

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  16. All of these tree skirts are awesome. Thank you for the opportunity to win a pattern.

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  17. What a lovely collection of Christmas tree skirts, and you made all these patterns too, you are very talented! Thanks for sharing.

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  18. I love them all but if I have to pick a favorite I think it must be the log cabin Christmas tree skirt.

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  19. I love them all, Deonn! Great job!! I think my favorite is the Star Weave - so cute!! Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity to win!

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  20. PS: I DO remember that wadding with the glitter on it! LOL

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  21. Each of these tree skirts are so beautiful! I could never pick a favorite because I love them all, but your new one is definitely amazing. And those little ornaments...oh my...how cute are they! Thanks for sharing your then and now with us! xo

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  22. It's so hard to choose a favorite, but I think I like Star Medallion best. They are all so pretty.

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  23. All of your tree skirts are gorgeous! Although I really love the Log Cabin, I think I would choose the Star Medallion as my favorite because it is so versatile. Thank you for showing all of your versions and those from your class. Your quilting on the Log Cabin skirt is amazing!

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  24. What a hard choice! I think I have to go with the log cabin, though I absolutely love your feather quilting. Thanks so much for these ideas, and a chance to win a pattern. They are all beautiful and tempting!

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  25. P. S. On IG, I'm gingerkwilt.

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  26. You make beautiful tree skirts! I would love to make a new one - thanks for the giveaway!

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  27. It's a tie between the Star Weave and the Star Medallion.2 version. All are beautiful. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
    Kathleen - kakingsbury at verizon dot net

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  28. Gorgeous tree skirts. All are so beautiful it is hard to make a choice, but I would probably choose Star Medallion. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  29. I love them all, but I think I am drawn to the Star Medallion (then the log cabin one!).

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  30. Whine whine....why do I have to choose? I can't choose which of my kids is my favorite (our running joke is: "You are my favorite...for now." When I saw your Weave tree skirt, I thought I really liked that one....but my first dozen or so quilts were log cabin variations, so long cabins always tug at my heart.....and your log cabins also form a Christmas tree, which is another favorite, lol. So, nope, can't really choose a single favorite...but my two favorite (for now) are the Weave and Log Cabin. THANK YOU for sharing your talent with us!

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  31. What fun! I enjoyed seeing your tree skirts. I really like the "Star Weave" pattern with the interplay between the fabrics, although it is hard to choose just one favorite. Thank you for sharing.

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  32. Log cabin...so pretty, all of them!

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  33. OHHh so pretty--I love the first one--the Star Medallion the best and it would fit perfect under my sized tree--and I do need one!!! But really they are all very nice and you have have done a beautiful job in creating them down through the years--
    luv, di and please stay safe!

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  34. Your creativity is amazing. A Christmas tree skirt is on my horizon to have done by the Holiday so winning this would be awesome as I don't want to design a small skirt of my own, that's my procrastinator! Anyhow, that's my reasoning and I'm sticking with it!

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  35. What pretty tree skirts. They are all amazing. I think my favourite is Star Weave. Or is it Log Cabin Tree? Gee, you made it hard to decide. :) If I win your generous contest, it would be Log Cabin Tree. Thank you for the chance to win.

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  36. All the tree skirts are so lovely!! I especially love the log cabin trees! A tree skirt for my sister and I is on my list too! Thank you !!

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  37. Those are just gorgeous! I love the red. I didn't enter the drawing because I already have something I'm working on for a tree skirt.

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  38. I love all your tree skirts, but especially the log cabin one.

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  39. I am having a hard time picking a favorite of these tree skirts. Today it is probably the log cabin tree.

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  40. Star Medallion II is my favorite. I’ve made a few tree skirts many years ago as gifts. I’ve thought of making one for our family, the last few years but haven’t. I seam to like making things and giving them away. Maybe this year is the year? You’ve made such beautiful options, very creative.

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  41. My favorite would be the log cabin tree skirt! Would love to try and make it.

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  42. What a great collection of tree skirts! I'd have to have multiple trees so I could display them ALL - simply because I couldn't choose just one. Thank you for inviting us to come for a visit.

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  43. I like them all, but the Log Cabin Tree Skirt is my favorite.

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  44. I am astounded at all the tree skirts. Picking a favorite it tough. I would say star weave, but the log cabin is awesome too.

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  45. I rally like the Star Medallion #1 and a close second is the Log Cabin Trees!
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  46. Festive tree skirts, one and all!!!

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  47. There isn't a single tree skirt that I didn't like today, but the green one from Riley Blake, that one I'd make in a heart beat. I love log cabin type patterns and that's perfect for my liking... They are all wonderful tho Deonn.

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  48. Matching ornaments! How cute! All the tree skirts are lovely but the log cabin is the one that really caught my eye. Thanks for sharing.

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  49. I really love the log cabin. I'd make that one for myself.

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  50. What an abundance of tree skirts!

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  51. All of the skirts and projects are gorgeous, but the Star Weave Tree Skirt fascinates me. I would have to say that this one is my favorite. Thanks!

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  52. wow all your tree skirts are gorgeous. I would love to try to make the Star Weave tree skirt. That just looks like it would go well with many of our Christmas decorations around the tree. Thanks for the give a way. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  53. Gosh - they're all so pretty, I have trouble picking a favorite!

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  54. Oh, Deonn, everything here is a want for me. Your taste in pattern and fabric are spot on for me. I'm going to have to come back later and look into every link. Thank you so much for your Christmas eye candy and inspiration!

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    1. Oops, the log cabin tree skirt is my favorite but I really love them all.

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  55. Hi Deonn! What a fun post. Each tree skirt is better than the next and I love them all. I think my favorite is the Log Cabin but I think your first one is very special, too. I love Riley Blake fabrics - thanks for sharing the link. I'll check that out. Happy Friday! ~smile~ Roseanne

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  56. The Star Medalion is my favorite and I remember it well - hard to believe it was 2009!. All your work is stunning and the quilting on the Log Cabin Tree is outstanding. Thanks, Deonn.

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  57. Thank you for showing these skirts. Mine need replacing so very much!! So this is a timely topic.

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  58. I made a tree skirt for my tree eons ago and never looked back. I see you have made it a mission to explore variations and sizes that would surely please nearly everyone in some way. All are lovely.

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  59. My favorite tree skirt is the Star Medallion. I really need to make a tree skirt for our tree.

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  60. beautiful tree skirts and ornaments. So nice to have several to choose from. 😉. I think Star Weave is my favourite.

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  61. this makes me want to make a new tree skirt! I love the log cabin trees-- and now I am thinking instead of making Christmas quilts for the family ( a continuing covid project). tree skirts could be made in half the Tim
    sharongalli@gmail.com

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  62. What a pretty post! And chock a block with those gorgeous Christmas reds and tree skirts galore. And aren't you sweet to think of us international visitors!

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  63. Those are all so pretty. I love the updated fabrics as well as the older ones, but that log cabin green one stole my heart. The bird tree is adorable as well as the Christmas tree bunting.

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  64. I love them all. So pretty. If I have to choose one than I choose the Star Weave but I also like the Tree Ornaments.

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So happy you stopped by for a visit! Thank you!