How to Sew a Reversible Christmas Tree Skirt – Free Pattern & Video Tutorial

This is a Christmas Tree Skirt you’ll love to sew – no large curves or hooking a pencil to a string and hoping the circle lays flat. With this 8 sided design you only have straight cuts and a clean look. Works well for both whimsical and sophisticated fabrics.

I use two prints and images from the quilt panel from my Gnome for Christmas flannel collection manufactured and sold by Riley Blake Designs. It will of course work with any fabrics but I’m going for a “Christmas Gnome” theme this year!

SUPPLIES USED IN THIS TUTORIAL:

• 5 YARDS OF FABRIC (44” WIDE) TOTAL
  • 2 ½ YARDS FOR EACH SIDE
• IRON
• SEWING MACHINE
• COORDINATING THREAD
• ROTARY CUTTER & MAT (suggested)
• ThermoWeb Heat ‘N Bond® Lite (if you do applique)
• KAM® SNAPS

BUY THE SUPPLIES | READ THE DIRECTIONS

JUMP TO SPECIFIC TOPICS:
2 sec – Supplies Used
6 secs – STEP 1: Cut & Prep Fabrics
51 secs – STEP 2: Cut Fabric Segments
6:09 – STEP 3: Sew the 8 front segments together
6:46 – STEP 4: Creating the reverse side
7:09 – using a 54″ fabric for the reverse instead of 44″
7:57 – STEP 5: Adding Applique (optional)
15:32 – STEP 6: Sew the two sides together
16:42 – STEP 7: Turn, clip, press and topstitch
20:36 – STEP 8: Adding Kam Snaps for closures

Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

Easy Christmas Tree Skirt Tutorial

Here is a run-down of how to sew this Christmas Skirt. I love that it is all straight cuts!

Links are affiliate links so I will make a small commission if you click and buy (but it won’t cost you anything extra!).  This helps me create more free content and tutorials so thank you in advance!

First you will cut the 2 1/2 yard fabric for the front into four 21″ lengths per the diagram below. Keep the fabric folded for the next step.

STEP 1: Cut the Main Fabric

STEP 2: Cut the Tree Skirt Segments

After doing my basic cuts I then ironed my four fabric pieces, ironing the fold as well – we will cut it off so it doesn’t matter.

Cut the fabric to 20″ (top and bottom if you are using a directional fabric) x 20 1/2″ high.

Next follow the diagram to cut eight pieces that are 3″ wide at the top and 20″ wide at the bottom.

STEP 3: Sew the Tree Skirt segments together

With right sides together, sew the 8 segments together with a 1/2″ seam allowance, leaving the last seam open so you can sew the front and back together.

STEP 4: Decide on your Reverse Side Fabric

Since I wanted to use my flannel that comes 44″ wide, I used the same 8 segment process used for the front to create the back.

If you want a plain back or have a 54″ fabric you’d like to use, you will need 1 1/2 yards. You then lay the skirt pieces you just sewed together on top of the ironed 54″ square and use it as a template to cut the backing.

STEP 5: Add the Applique (if desired)

I used ThermoWeb Heat ‘N Bond Lite to apply gnomes I cut out of the Gnome for Christmas Quilt Panel – placing one gnome per section of the tree skirt. 

I chose to do a loose free motion quilting stitch around each gnome applique to make the project go a little faster.

I used a ruler to position each gnome about 1 1/2″ up from the bottom edge of the fabric and centered them on each section.

STEP 6: Layer both Sides Together and Sew

With right sides together and seams lined up (if you did both sides in 8 segments) – pin all the way around the tree skirt.

I added quilting pins on seams and within the skirt for added protection against shifting as I moved the fabric around the sewing machine.

Sew around the entire tree skirt with a 1/2″ seam allowance, leaving a section over on an end for turning.

NOTE: If you choose to add ribbons to tie your tree skirt instead of Kam® Snaps like I’ll show you later, add them now on the ends. (details not included – I’m all about the snaps for this project!)

STEP 7: Trim, Turn, Press & Topstitch

You are almost done!

Clip and trim the points and pivots to get rid of excess fabric that would prevent the angles from being crisp and flat. (More details are in the video around the 17 min mark)

Turn your Christmas tree skirt right side out and carefully  press around all the edges.

Press the area left open to turn the tree skirt in 1/2″ so it is consistent with the rest of the edge.

Topstitch 1/4″ from the edge, all the way around the skirt.

STEP 8: Add Snaps

I debated about what I wanted to use to close the back of my tree skirt – if anything to be honest.

There are lots of options: velcro, buttons, ribbon ties and more.  I decided that Kam® Snaps were exactly what I wanted to use.

They are plastic snaps that come in a variety of colors. The white would look good on both sides of my tree skirt (it’s reversible, remember? 😁) They would blend in with the white beards on the gnome side and look like more snowflakes on the red side.

They are easy to use and have great directions – you can find details directions at the 20 minute 36 second mark in the video.

That’s it – you are done!

Now you have a versatile and reversible Christmas Tree Skirt to use for years to come.

If you make one and share it on social media be sure to tag me!

I’m active on Instagram and Facebook so tag me so I don’t miss it!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Happy Sewing and wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

🎅🏻 🎄 Tara Reed 

​- AMAZON LINKS –

I was given a few of the products I show from Riley Blake Designs (as a designer I get fabric and some tools to use) but the rest I purchased.  Links are affiliate links so I will make a small commission if you click and buy (but it won’t cost you anything extra!).  This helps me create more free content and tutorials so thank you in advance!

buy on Amazon*