Dec 12, 2002
sewing, serger
intermediate

Homespun Stars Serged Tree Skirt

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This tree skirt delivers an elegant look with a homespun-feel for the holiday season. Touches of gold thread used in the meandering and the edge of the ruffle give it a special festive appearance. Perfect for the gift giving season you will enjoy this tree skirt for many years to come. Download printable instructions.

Materials:

  • 2-Yards 44" wide fabric for skirt background
  • 5-Yards 44" wide fabric for stars binding ruffle and skirt backing
  • Lightweight fusible interfacing for appliqué
  • 1" bias tape marker
  • Madeira thread for quilting
  • Rotary cutter ruler and mat
  • Pattern tracing paper

Tools:

  • Baby Lock Sewing Machine
  • Baby Lock Serger
  • Free motion embroidery or darning foot

Steps:

  1. Follow directions in the book for making the Gore Pattern. Do not add Half Pattern B.

    1. Use a pencil and string for circle drawing draw the outside from one of the 35-5/8" marks to the other. Cut the skirt according to instructions.

  2. Trace star pattern piece. Add 1/4" seam allowances. Cut out 24 stars from the print fabric and the fusible interfacing.

    1. Carefully cut a slit in the center of the fusible interfacing then turn the star right side out through this opening. Fuse the stars on the skirt following the directions for skirt assembl

    2. Place fusible side of interfacing to the right side of each star but but do not fuse. Sew around the outside.

    3. Carefully cut a slit in the center of the fusible interfacing then turn the star right side out through this opening.

    4. Fuse the stars on the skirt following the directions for skirt assembly.

  3. Use an appliqué stitch to attach each star to the top of the skirt. Continue with Step 2 for assembling the skirt.

  4. Piece the backing fabric so that it measures at least 58" square. Continue with Steps 2 and 3 in quilting section of pattern.

  5. Quilt the skirt using a stippling stitch. Lowering feed dogs stitch in a free motion pattern forming curved lines that do not intersect. Continue with Step 4 quilting directions.

  6. In the Binding section in Step 1 cut the strips 4" by 20". Use a bias tape maker to fold the tape. Continuing with Step 2 attach the binding.

    1. Optional Finishing Tip: The Baby Lock Blind Hemmer can be used to attach the binding to the back.

  7. Following ruffle instructions cut the strips from the fabric used for the stars. Cut one set that is 5" wide.

    1. Finish one end of the strip. Fold the serged edge on the end to the wrong side and topstitch in place. Using a three-thread balance stitch with decorative thread (metallic gold) in the uppe

    2. To form one strip for ruffle use a balanced four-thread stitch on the serger and sew the short edges of the strip right sides together. Finish one end of the strip.

    3. Fold the serged edge on the end to the wrong side and topstitch in place.

    4. Using a three-thread balance stitch with decorative thread (metallic gold) in the upper looper finish one long edge of the ruffle strip.

  8. Attach the ruffling foot to the serger. Set the differential feed to 2 and stitch length to 4. With right sides together place the serged and topstitched end of the ruffle at the bound edge

    1. Place the strip of fabric for the ruffle under the foot and the quilted skirt in the slot of the foot.

    2. Using a 5/8" seam allowance sew around the bottom attaching the strip and gathering at the same time.

    3. Finish the raw edge of the ruffle turn under to the wrong side and topstitch into place. Press the seam toward the skirt. Topstitch in place from the right side.

    4. Sew off the edge of the skirt leaving 5/8" beyond the edge of the tree skirt trim the excess ruffle off.

    5. Finish the raw edge of the ruffle turn under to the wrong side and topstitch into place. Press the seam toward the skirt. Topstitch in place from the right side.

  9. Do not follow the instructions for the sash instead cut fabric strips on the crosswise grain 2" wide and totalling 60" in length piecing as needed.

    1. Using a bias tape maker press the folds and then fold in half right sides together centering the strip on the top opening of the skirt. With raw edges even attach binding to the edge.

    2. Fold over turn 1/4" under on each end of the strip and press. Topstitch binding in place.

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