Make: No-Sew Ruffle Tree Skirt

For the past two Christmases, my make-shift tree skirt has actually been a few swatches of plaid fabric draped around the tree's base. Was this cute? Not really. However, I just couldn't bring myself to settle for an expensive (or cheap but ugly) store-bought skirt, so I draped the fabric and quickly covered it with wrapped gifts. Then last year, immediately after Christmas, I stumbled upon this fantastic tutorial on HG-TV for a no-sew ruffle tree skirt. I was positively smitten!

Fitting adjectives for this project: beautiful, sophisticated, easy, time-consuming, and finger-burning.

That last part is thanks to the massive amount of hot glue sticks I used to create this beauty. I was legitimately surprised at how long it took to make this, but I think that could be shortened with two easy steps: 1) use wider strips of fabric and 2) don't be a crazy perfectionist. Remember, it will be under your Christmas tree and admired from afar. That being said, I'm very happy with the final product!

Materials Needed:
Large square of fabric (mine was 3 ½ ft x 3 ½ ft)
4 yards of additional fabric
Measuring tape
Sharp scissors
Hot glue gun
Hot glue sticks

Create Base:
Fold the large square of fabric into quarters. Now cut the outer edge into a quarter circle and cut a much smaller quarter circle out of the remaining point (see photos below). When you unfold it, you should have something reminiscient of a giant donut shape. Cut a straight line from the outer edge to the inner circle (so you can actually wrap the thing around your tree!).

Create Ruffles:
Using fabric shears, cut the remaining fabric lengthwise into 2" wide strips.

With your preheated glue gun, apply a thin line of glue along the edge of the circle--no longer than a few inches. Working quickly (before the glue hardens!), press a strip of fabric on the glue, pinching it as you go. You should have a tiny ruffle before you!

Continue this process around the entire skirt, starting each new row approximately 1 1/2 inches above the previous one (agjust this accordingly if using wider strips). Round and round you'll go till the entire skirt is covered.

And there you have it! Depending on your style, you can make it in one solid color (as I did), complementary colors, fun prints, or (if you're feeling really ambitious) an ombre design with slightly changing shades every few rows.