Our local fabric shop... the wonderful Belle Fabrics (who still do not have a website... grrr!) had a version of this tree in the window, so with their permission I used it as a starting point for my tree. I thought you might like this tree which means we can use lots of the techniques from the last couple of years, from how to make bunting, to the Christmas stars we are going to use on top of it.
You will need:
Two contrasting, yet complementary fabrics, two fat quarters will do it with fabric to spare
Cutting mat, ruler and rotary cutter or dressmaking shears/scissors
Needles, pins and cotton
Stuffing
Fish knife
Ribbons, buttons, bells for embellishment
Iron and ironing board
Paper, pencil, ruler and protractor or pre-made template
Firstly we are going to create the templates for the tree triangles, I used a template from my patchwork, but if you are making one then I suggest 5" sides and creating an equilateral triangle with angles of 60'. We will be using the classic 1/4" seam allowance.
Iron your fabrics and cut out 19 triangles in each fabric.
Take a triangle from each fabric pile and pin them together, with right sides facing, start two thirds of the way along the base of your triangle, sew around the other two sides and just one third of the base, which leaves a third open. Trim the across each of the three corners to reduce the bulk.
Take your fish knife and pop it into the top angle of the triangle and push it through so that the right sides are now out, make sure you poke the knife into all the corners to ensure that they are sharp and pointy.
Iron each of the triangles.
Fill with your choice of stuffing, you will find it easier to use small amounts rather than using a quart to fill a pint pot.
When it is full, over sew the opening.
Set out the triangles as shown, then tack the corners into place, use a knot in between the layers and use a cross stitch to hold them in place.
Now, play around with your buttons and ribbons, and sew them permanently in place.
Right, we need to hang it up so I thought I would use one of the patchwork stars we made a couple of weeks ago and attach that to the top so that you can hang it up, although you could also gussie up a wide ribbon, too.
I did have a thought... how about getting a group of pupils from a class to paint a Christmassy image onto calico triangles using fabric paints and then make it into a tree for a teacher or for a grandma... I can tell you now that it would mean so much more to a teacher than another mug or a candle but possibly not as much as chocolate or wine!
I know that Christmas Pie Crafts wanted to see if I had made any hearts, so this weekend I borrowed Deborah's twig tree and fireplace to see how they looked... so if you look closely you will see all of the quilted and patchwork decs we have have worked on over the last few weeks... hope you like them :)
The first time I went to New York was a disaster, especially as I arrived there in a pair of BA pajamas (the stewardess decided I would look better wearing my red wine...), the car that was picking me up was booked for the wrong time (note to self, not everyone can cope with a 24 hour clock) but it would have been much worse if I had not checked the bag I picked up off the carousel which had to be mine... except where did those rather scuzzy Y fronts come from? That is the moment that I realised you need something to mark out your luggage from the herd... and I am not talking about sticky multi-coloured tape on your case but something a little more sophisticated, your very own luggage label to chime in with where you are going.
So let's get our kit together, you will need:
A fat quarter
A piece of mega, heavy duty inter-facing (it should be stiffer than a cornflake packet)
Pins, needle, thread and scissors
Pen and paper
Iron and ironing board, an if you have one an applique iron is really helpful
Draw a square 8" long by 4.5" wide, mark it at 6" on both sides and 1.25" from the edge on both sides on the top, draw a line from these marks. Cut four from the fabric.
Now repeat this but an inch smaller, so a 7" long x 3.5" wide square, mark at 5" on both sides and 1.25 from the edge on both sides on the top, draw a line from these marks. Cut two from the interfacing.
Pin two pieces of fabric, with right sides facing. Now place one piece of interfacing on top of the fabric, 1/2" away from every raw edge. Sew it into place as close to the edge of the interfacing as you can but leaving an opening at the base of the label of 2". Trim away the excess as close to the seam and you dare, then turn the label inside out and press it into place, tuck the opening in. This is where your irons will start to come into themselves, take your time and manipulate it into place.
Now cut out a square in the middle of the other piece of interfacing - half an from each of the three straight sides and join up to complete the square.
Pin the fabric right sides together and pin the interfacing on top, sew around the inside of the square as close to the edge as possible. Cut out the inside square of fabric, you will find it easiest to do this by cutting from corner to corner. Roll the seam between between your fingers as it will be bulky and need persuasion from you and the iron to lie flat. Now sew around it close to the edge yet again, take it slow and steady to get a straight neat result.
Now fold the top fabric of the frame over the interfacing and iron, then repeat this with the reverse side, do this slowly with the aid of your iron, you may need to manipulate it very firmly. On the two slanted sides, put in a pin 1.5 down from the top on each side and sew into place.
Now place your frame on top of the covered back and sew it together from the pins, which will leave the top open. Slip stitch across the top.
Cut out a piece of fabric, 22" long by 2.5" wide. Fold it in half lengthwise, sew across the top and down the length of the seam using a quarter of an inch seam allowance. Trim the seam and use a knitting needle to turn the strip inside out. Press the tie flat, tuck in the raw edge and slip stitch it into place. Thread the tie through the opening in the luggage tag.
Now what I would dearly love to do is embroider my name and address and insert it into the tag... but until I save my pennies or get sponsored by a major sewing machine maker (all offers seriously considered!), we will make do with a piece of paper to make sure I don't lose my luggage.
And now it time to pop over and take a look at Handmade Monday where Wendy has some exciting news to share!
