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Saturday, December 1, 2012

Christmas Tree Tabletop Decoration Tutorial

Christmas in my family has always included making homemade ornaments, decorations, gifts, and treats that we share with friends and family.  When I was little, my mother and I would scour the pages of magazines to find inspiration for our latest projects. One of my favorite DIY ideas that my mom and I crafted together is this Christmas Tree Tabletop Decoration. 


For this project, you will need the following:


First, begin by cutting out approximately 100 - 1” wide by 6” long strips of fabric (for my example I had 25 each of 4 coordinating fabrics).   Next, pick out 4 ribbons or trims (you’ll need a spool of each) that are ¼” – 3/8” wide that coordinate with the fabrics, and cut 50 pieces that are 5” long and another 50 pieces that are 4” long.

Using the hot glue gun, carefully apply a small dab of glue to the end of one of the fabric strips. Press the ends together forming a loop.  Do this for all the fabric and ribbon strips.


Using a measuring tape or ruler, measure 3” up from the bottom of the Styrofoam cone and make a small mark using a Sharpie.  Continue marking 1” – 2” increments up the cone.  Repeat this all around the cone so that you now have a grid for guidance in evenly placing the fabric/ribbon rows.
  


Now cut 6 pieces of ½” wide white grosgrain ribbon to the following lengths: 
12 ¾”, 11 ½”, 10 ¼”, 9”, 7 ¾”, and 6 ½”.  These ribbon strips will be the foundation for each row of the Christmas tree. 

Starting with the longest piece of grosgrain ribbon, lay out the fabric loops in the desired pattern adjusting the space between the strips as needed.  Glue each fabric loop to the white grosgrain ribbon then glue the ribbon loops on top of each fabric loop.  Complete each ribbon strip the same way.



Now you are ready to assemble the Christmas tree.  Starting with the bottom row and using the markings on the cone as a guide, begin securing the ribbon strip onto the cone with floral pins or straight pins. 


Continue pinning the ribbon strips to the cone so that the bottom edge of the new layer overlaps the top edge of the previous layer.  My layers are spaced roughly 1 ½” to 2” apart vertically. 


The final row should be even with the top of the cone.  Now take 7 strips of fabric and cut them in half so that they are 3” long.  Fold each strip in half and glue together.


Pin each small loop around the top edge of the tree.


Using the remaining uncut ribbon, make a bow and secure it to the top of the tree using pins.  Add one more small loop to cover the center of the bow if desired.  Now you are done! 


Use a candleholder or plate to set your Christmas Tree Tabletop Decoration on as a base.  Make two or three Christmas Tree Tabletop Decorations with different sized cones for a larger tabletop or mantle holiday decoration.   



Merry Christmas!

This tutorial if for personal use only and it may not be reproduced or copied in part or whole without my expressed written consent.  

7 comments:

  1. LOVE this! I'm a sucker for all the cone trees and these ribbons look SO cute! Great tutorial :)

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  2. Very good instructions. Your Dad.

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  3. really cute!! great way to use up some ribbons, hah!

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  4. I'm so glad you linked up to our homemade holiday party...this project is easy and so beautiful! I've got a styrofoam cone that I think I'll be making a fabric tree with! :D

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  5. WOW!!! You've created a very simple yet beautiful Christmas tree. I like how you bring the ribbons together. Thanks for sharing this bright idea with us. Will definitely try this.

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  6. This is brilliant!
    I made two small changes to it. I have a pedestal dish that is too small to put much on but the tree fit perfectly. It has a weird edge that I needed to hide so I moved the first row of 'branches' down half an inch. Now the stem of the dish looks like a trunk and you can't see the plate part at all. I also left off the loop at the top and added a ball ornament.
    Now I'm on the lookout for an angel that's the right size and then I'll replace the ball.
    Thank you - I really appreciate that your projects can be done with kids.

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