Free Quilted Fair Isle Christmas Tree Skirt Pattern
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Make a quilted Christmas tree skirt pattern with a fair isle design. Use the free pattern with half square triangles to make your own.
For the first years of our marriage, we were renting small apartments and using a teeny, tiny artificial tree. When we finally got a big enough place we got our first real tree. I felt like our first real tree deserved a really amazing Christmas tree skirt.
I’ve had an idea for a quilted Christmas tree skirt with a fair isle design for a couple of years and was slowly figuring out the details. Since we finally had a tree that was worthy of an amazing quilted tree skirt, it was time to make one. I’m sharing the free pattern with you today!
I love the fair isle motif, and it feels so much like winter and the holidays. I made a giant motif for the whole Christmas tree skirt. I used two quilting cotton fabrics for the top, flannel for the backing, and some bias binding. Here’s some tips for working with flannel fabric.
The ivory with gold shimmer fabric was found in the remnant bin at Joann fabrics. I also got the red with gold dots at Joann. I love the bold contrast and the touch of shine. It’s so fun to see under the tree, and it’ll be soon covered with holiday gifts and goodies!
I’m not great at quilting, but I get inspired every once in awhile and just go for it. I always get into a quilt or piecing project, and then halfway through I wonder why I started.
There are definitely imperfections and tucks on the back of the tree skirt, but it looks great from the front and covers what it needs to. I’m hoping that it’ll last a long time, and I’m so excited to start the holiday season!
I’ve actually made two of these quilted Christmas tree skirts because I was testing out the pattern. I love the first one I made, but I love the subtlety of the second one. It almost comes across as pink instead of red. Now I have to decide which one to use on my Christmas tree!
Do you love to sew? Try one of these sewing projects:
- Christmas sewing projects
- DIY dress form Christmas tree
- DIY fleece tree skirt
- Free Christmas sewing patterns
- DIY tree skirt ideas
How to Make a Quilted Fair Isle Christmas Tree Skirt Pattern
Supplies
- 3/4 yard Red quilting cotton fabric*
- 3/4 yard White quilting cotton fabric*
- Batting* (40 inches wide by 40 inches long)
- 1.25 yard Flannel fabric* for back
- 6 yard bias tape* (Learn how to make and use bias tape.)
Do you just want the pattern and tutorial as a PDF? Get the pattern and tutorial for just $5. You won’t need to access the internet every time you want to make it. Or get the Pattern Bundle with ALL the PDF tutorials!
Quilted Christmas Tree Skirt Pattern
Quilted Christmas Tree Skirt Pattern Instructions
Make eight half square triangle quilt blocks with red and white fabric squares.
Press them open and then press the seam allowance towards the red triangle.
Square the blocks.
Sew the small rectangle in between two white half trianges. Make four of these quilt blocks.
Press the seams open and then press the seam allowance towards the red fabric.
Square the blocks.
Sew one corner of the tree skirt using the diagram below. Assemble one corner of the tree skirt. Press all the seams open and then press the seam allowance towards the red fabric where possible.
Do the same to the other three sides.
Sew the four blocks together with the large rectangle in between three corners. Leave one side separate and open and sew a large rectangle to each side.
Press the seams open and then press the seam allowances towards the red fabric. Cut a circle hole in the center of the tree skirt.
Layer the quilt top, batting, and flannel backing.
Pin baste the quilt to keep the layers together.
Quilt the layers together following the fair isle design.
Trim the outside to be a nice, smooth curve that makes one big circle. Or trim the outside to be a nice hexagonal shape.
Finish all the edges with bias tape. I found it was easiest to add bias binding to the outside circle and the outside circle. Then I went back and added bias binding to the straight edges of the opening.
Optional: Add bias tape ties to the opening to keep it closed. I found that the batting and quilting made the tree skirt stiff enough that it stays in place by itself.
If you make a fair isle Christmas tree skirt pattern using this tutorial, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!
I believe small sewing moments can create great joy. Find your own “right” way to sew. -Heather
Hi! I’m having some problems with the y-seams on the pattern. I can’t seem to configure all of the pieces so that they come to a point in the correct way. Help!
Can you explain which seams you are working on?
I cannot download written instructions. I have downloaded the Pdfhub.exe, but still cannot get the actual written instructions. Any suggestions?
I have not created the PDF version of the instructions. Is that something you’re interested in?
The instructions are very confusing. So much so that I cannot see my pieces together. It seems like the 4 white squares are not used at all.
I agree!
Going to try this for next year tree skirts for several gr.d..thank you ..
I agree!
I no longer have a tree put up, but would love to make a large flat table topper in this pattern. Wonder if I coul figure this out? Help! ,
I just updated the post with measurements! Let me know if you need more help! The finished piece is about 40 inches by 40 inches.
Yes I would love the measurements for this too.
I just updated the post with measurements! Let me know if you need more help!
I love it and hope you give us the cutting info. Would love to make this. Thanks.
I just updated the post with measurements! Let me know if you need more help!
Hi! Love your skirt pattern – do you have the measurements for the squares or is there a pattern available? Thanks!
I just updated the post with measurements! Let me know if you need more help!
Can you provide the dimensions for cutting the pieces for this tree skirt?
I’m working on it!
I just updated the post with measurements! Let me know if you need more help!
Your tree skirt looks great. I need a new one this year, thanks for the inspiration!