The Island Batik Ambassador July challenge was to make a holiday themed project. I chose to make a Christmas tree skirt, as I've never had one. My poor tree has been wrapped in a red and green plaid table cloth all these years.
Disclaimer: The products used to make this project were given to me by Island Batik and industry partners.
I designed my Christmas tree skirt in EQ8. I was surprised at how easy and fun it was to make this project.
I used the new Holly Holiday by Kathy Engle fabric collection. I really love the gold fabrics in this collection. These should be available in your local quilt shop now. It's the perfect time to begin those holiday projects.
As I pieced the wedges for the tree skirt, I put them up on my design wall. I thought they looked a bit like candy corn. Inspiration for a fall project, possibly?
I don't normally mark for quilting, but I felt compelled to use some of the quilting stencils in my collection for this project. I did feathers on each of the large sections.
I quilted this fun curlicue on the top and bottom edges.
Top edge curlicues.
For this project I used Hobbs Tuscany Cotton Wool Blend, which is washable, but recommended to air dry. It made my tree skirt soft and fluffy. I used Aurifil thread in matching colors for the piecing and quilting. And I used Schmetz needles as well.
Pretty folds.
I used Island Batik's Parchment fabric for the backing. I really wanted to use the green binding fabric, but I simply didn't have enough for the whole skirt.
Close up of the green binding. Isn't this color gorgeous? It's my favorite Island Batik green ever! I made the bias binding with my Accuquilt strip die, following a neat tutorial I found online.
I have a lot of trees in my yard, but no "Christmas" trees, so I modeled the Jolly Holiday tree skirt around the base of a pine tree. So pretty! I can't wait to try this on my tree this year.
Follow my fellow Island Batik Ambassadors for maximum quilting inspiration, here:
Megan Best ~
Bestquilter
Pamela Boatright ~
Pamelaquilts
Elizabeth DeCroos ~
Epida Studio
Jennifer Eubank ~ Archipelago Quilting
Jennifer Fulton ~
Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts
Joanne Hart ~
Mania Hatziioannidi ~
Emily Leachman ~
Denise Looney ~
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Sally Manke ~
Maryellen McAuliffe ~
Claudia Porter ~
Gail Renna ~
Brianna Roberts ~
Michelle Roberts ~
Gail Sheppard ~
Andi Stanfield ~
Jennifer Thomas ~
Janet Yamamoto ~
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Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today
Jennifer Thomas
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