Ruffled Tree Skirt Tutorial – make your own farmhouse-style tree skirt with these step-by-step directions. Use different fabrics to match your decor.
I wanted a ruffled tree skirt that could be washed, not one glued together. After seeing so many no-sew versions, I developed a simple sewing method that produces a durable, washable farmhouse-style skirt. It’s quick, straightforward, and avoids the mess and fragility of hot glue.
How to Make an Easy-to-Sew Ruffled Tree Skirt
Supplies:
- Canvas drop cloth (for the base)
- 2 yards cotton fabric (example: 1 yd white, 1 yd red)
- String and pencil or pen
- Fabric scissors and pins
- Thread and sewing machine
- Iron and ironing board
Instructions:
1. Cut the canvas into a 45″ x 45″ square and fold it into fourths.
2. To draw the outer circle, tie a long piece of string to a pencil. Hold the string at the folded corner and trace an arc with the pencil, keeping the string taut. This gives you a smooth, even curve.
3. Cut along the arc through all four layers of the folded canvas so you end up with a near-perfect circle when unfolded.
4. Now make the inner circle for the tree trunk using the same string method with a shorter length. Trace and cut while the fabric is still folded. Start with a smaller hole—you can adjust later when you hem.
5. Unfold to a half circle and cut up one side from the outer edge to the inner circle so the skirt can wrap around the tree.
6. Hem every raw edge. Fold the edge under about 1/4″, press, then fold under another 1/4″ and press again. This double-fold hem creates a neat, durable edge.
7. Sew a running stitch close to the inner edge and along the outer circle and both straight cut sides. The inner circle’s curve is a bit fiddly to press, but perfection isn’t necessary since it will be hidden under the tree.
8. Prepare the ruffles. Plan the outer ruffle to be about 1″ wider than the inner ruffle. For example, you might cut outer strips 6″ wide and inner strips 5″ wide. Tear or cut long strips of the colored fabric and gather one edge of each strip by sewing a basting stitch and pulling the thread, or use a preferred ruffling method.
9. Mark a guideline about 1″ in from the outer edge of the skirt with a pencil to help align the ruffles. Pin the gathered strips to the guideline as you go. If you prefer a freer look, you can eyeball the placement.
10. Stitch the ruffle to the skirt about 1/4″–1/2″ from the edge. When joining strips, overlap their ends slightly so there are no gaps in the ruffle.
11. Make the second (inner) ruffle from the contrast fabric, cutting strips about 5″ wide and gathering them the same way. Attach this ruffle so it overlaps the first ruffle by about 1″ for a full look. Using a ruler while pinning helps keep the circle even—align the first ruffle with a mark and place the second ruffle consistently in relation to it.
12. Stitch the inner ruffle in place, remove pins, give the whole skirt a final press, and it’s ready to dress your tree.
Beautiful, isn’t it? A quick iron and the skirt is ready to wrap around the tree and hold presents.
Now place it around the trunk and enjoy a washable, handmade tree skirt that suits your farmhouse decor. Happy sewing!