This handsome felt tree skirt is an excellent weekend project. Polyester felt does not fray and is easy ti cut and handle. Machine applique is very fast and easy to make. We used the following applique designs: Santa, Snowman, Santa's Reindeer and Snowflakes. We used designs both for the large and small hoops.
You will need 2 pieces of polyester felt, white and burgundy, measuring about 50" x 50".
For the applique embroidery, you will need scraps of differently colored fabrics. For further embellishment, we used silver metallic rick rack.
Step One: Fold the burgundy felt in half, then fold it in half again. You'll get a 25" x 25" square.
Take a piece of string 23" long, pin one end to the point where the lines meet and tie a chalk pencil to the other end. This will allow you to draw a perfect quarter-circle.
Using large scissors, cut out the circle. Leave a pin in the center. Unfold the circle.
Using chalk pencil and ruler, draw a line from the center to the edge. Draw a circle with diameter about 3" around the center of the circle.
Step Two: Make print-outs of the designs and arrange them on the felt circle. When you are satisfied with the arrangment, start embroiderings the designs one by one. The instructions for each design are enclosed along with the embroidery files.
Step Three: When the embroidery is finished, place the circle over the white felt square. Pin both layers together. Quilt in a free motion style.
Step Four: Cut out the white layer 1 1/2" to 2" from the edge of the burgundy top.
Cut through both layers along the straight line.
Cut out the 3" circle in the center.
Step Five: If you wish, top-stitch rick-rack along the edges of the tree-skirt.
The skirt is ready! Place it under the tree.
We hope that you liked our idea and will come up with many of your own.