Thank you to everyone who sent ideas for my Christmas tree skirt project. I tried out a few alternatives, but decided to continue with my plan mainly in the interests of finishing in time. Sometimes finished is better than perfect, especially when you’d rather be sewing a quilt (wink).

Here is my finished Christmas tree skirt top. I used a plate to trace a hole in the center and then checked that against my tree stand for size. Then it was ready to be quilted.

I think the quilting really makes it! The diamond cross design shows off on the plush corduroy star center.

I quilted the diamond log cabin blocks with a combination of a fancy holly design and straight lines that emanate toward the star center.

I also incorporated bits of corduroy in the log cabin patchwork, for texture, and chose fancy metallic Rifle Paper Fabrics prints for the diamond center and binding. The star center is framed with the black and white Ikat Diamond print from the Kismet collection. I added that to make the skirt just a tad bigger, and to emphasize the star.

Instead of cutting into the patchwork to make a straight opening, diamond log cabin tree skirts often have a zig-zag opening that follows the blocks. First I bound the exterior edge and interior circle. Then, I sewed extra-long binding strips along the zig-zag opening. The extra length at each end serves as the ties.

This weekend we got our Christmas tree and trimmed it with lights, ornaments and the new tree skirt. I’m satisfied with the look. The new skirt suits our space much better than the last one and has a more elegant look. The touch of black and white in my design is a subtle nod to the showy black and white tile in our entry, which is just outside the living room.

Still, if I were to do it again, I’d design something using only the needlecord from Purple Stitches. The lux texture and deep color of the corduroy is my favorite part, and I can imagine it showing off best in a design even simpler than this.

Welcome all to the Christmas season! I hope your home is beginning to look festive as well. Enjoy the lights, decorations, special foods and merry gatherings.

xoxo,

Rachel