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Saturday, December 5, 2015

A Mini Christmas Tree Skirt or Quilted Candle Mat

It's Sew Simple Saturday - December Edition!
I made another Mini Christmas Tree Skirt, this time taking pictures along the way. A fun use for border fabrics, or striped fabrics! It fits well under a small tree, or as a candle mat.
Two or three together would be lovely for a table setting..

The first time I made this block, I cut my own template and made little marks so that I was able to line up the template and exact six matching triangles.
Since then I have acquired a sixty degree acrylic template. Now I can simply line up the line markings so each triangle is identical.
Cut six triangles. Size doesn't matter as long as they are all the same. Going for simple, I cut mine the same size as the 6" template.
Sew three together, set aside, and repeat.
Finger-press the seams in opposite directions for each half-hexie.
Before sewing the two halves together, connect the center points with a pin.
Line up the edges and sew.
Clip the center seam, almost to the center point and fan your seams so they will lay flat.
Press.
To add a border:
Cut six strips, each a few inches longer than the width of one triangle. The width you cut your border strips is up to you! Mine are 1.5" x 9".
Attach the first strip to one side and trim.
Repeat five more times.
I stopped here, but of course you could add more borders if you are looking for a larger finish.

Sandwich top with backing and batting, and quilt as desired.

I cut binding fabric 2 1/8" wide for this fabric, and needed 56". Attach using your preferred method. If you have never bound hexie-corners, you may find it easier than expected! Just stop each side the usual 1/4" from edge, and adjust/finesse the miter after wrapping the binding over the edge.
The Figgy Pudding fabric remains one of my favorite out-of-print lines.
The first mini tree skirt I made was with an orphan block leftover from my Figgy Swirl quilt in 2012.
I began making this quilt without a plan, then designed the borders after completing the large blocks. I suppose it could be called improv...
I sold it to a buyer in Eastern Canada and kind of regret it(!)
Well, Now I would like to make another and pattern it. I am not sure what the best software is for writing patterns, but I know I do not own it. Any suggestions?

Visit Sew and Sow Farm for inspiration this weekend, and if you have a tip or tutorial be sure and link up! Last month, I won a Fat Quarter Shop gift certificate! Perfect timing for all their fab-sales too - what a beautiful bundle I received! 
Milk, Sugar, & Flour by Elea Lutz

12 comments:

  1. Very cute mini tree skirt, and I love the swirl quilt too! I hope you do write a pattern for it. I'm no help on software suggestions, though. I did mine "old school" using just MS Word and Paint, with the templates done in EQ, but I'm sure there are better options.

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  2. My goodness those are so adorable! I really love the Swirl quilt too! I agree, you should write a pattern for it! Thank you for sharing and for linking up! You've inspired me the try those triangles! xo jan

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  3. Great idea to use striped fabric - fab result

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  4. What a great idea for a mini quilt!

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  5. Very cute little mat! I've made a few Figgy Pudding projects too--fun fabric line!

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  6. Very nice project. Thanks for all the photos of the steps and for showing the reverse side, too.

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  7. HI, love this fabric+design!
    Want to make one just like it!
    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  8. That's a great use for striped fabric! It makes the mini quilt look a lot more complicated than it is :)

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  9. Those little tree skirts are so pretty Heidi!
    And Figgy Swirl is Wow! I'm sure your buyer is extremely happy that you parted with it!

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  10. Great explanation of how to make this project. Love the fabrics you used. And the quilt you sold looks great. Good luck with the pattern writing.

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  11. I've been looking for something like this, thank you! I've heard EQ7 is a great program, if you can afford it. If you're looking to sell your designs though, you should be able to write off the expense.

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Thank you for sharing your comments!