You’ve eaten the turkey and given your thanks— that can only mean one thing: the Christmas season is upon us. By now, you may already have your holiday decorations up (if not, don’t worry, there’s still time!), soaking up the warm and fuzzy feelings they evoke each time you look at them. Perhaps you have special decorations that have been in your family for generations. Or, maybe not. Regardless of where you stand in your seasonal decorating, or what you decorate with, this is a great time to put a personal touch on your home by tackling a little holiday DIY— primarily do-it-yourself tree skirts and stockings. 

Again, if the skirt at the base of your tree and the stockings up on your mantle has a certain sentimental meaning, then, by all means, keep them up and enjoy them! However, if you have no attachment to those items, creating your own in a fabric that’s your style and is the perfect way to get exactly what you want. So that’s what we’re going to focus on today. Below you’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to make a Christmas tree skirt and Christmas stockings. 

DIY Christmas Tree Skirt

1. Take all the necessary measurements. 

Your tree skirt won’t fit properly unless you measure. For optimum accuracy, measure around the widest part of the three, which is generally the area located at the bottom of the branches. While a skirt is used to dress up the tree, it serves another purpose as well, which is to catch fallen pine needles. As you measure, be sure to measure far enough out so the fabric will extend to just a smidgen past the ends of your tree’s branches.

2. Pick (and purchase) your fabric. 

The great thing about making something on your own is that you have the power to pick the materials to use. When it comes to a Christmas tree skirt, you can use just about anything. Before you run out to purchase something, take a look around your home. Maybe you’ll find something else to use like a tablecloth, a blanket, a sheet, a quilt, some drapery panels or a fleece or chenille throw. If there’s nothing like that around worthy of your tree, shop around for some fabric that you love. Some fabrics that can really give your tree a custom look include burlap, velvet, matelasse, corduroy, felt, linen, taffeta, needlepoint tapestry, cotton (calico) and lame (metallics).

3. Create your masterpiece. 

If you don’t consider yourself handy with a sewing machine or needle and thread, there are several no-sew versions that you can resort to. Simply draping fabric around the bottom of your tree can create a quick, yet stylish tree skirt. Don’t have a lot of time or much money to spend? That’s okay! Just buy about 4 to 5 yards of fabric and drape it around the bottom until you reach the desired width. Tuck under any unfinished edges or sew a simple casing along one long side so it can be gathered up with cording. 

Felt skirts are also easy to make. Simply choose your favorite color in the widest and heaviest felt you can find. Cut the largest circle you can and then cut a single slit from the outer edge to the center. Once you’re done with that, cut a smaller inner circle big enough to fit around the trunk of your tree (roughly 4-7’ in diameter). It’s up to you if you leave it plain or add some cutouts or trim. If felt isn’t your thing, you can take any fabric and add trim like bows or faux fur. For a more masculine look, add some nailhead trim.

It really doesn’t take much money or effort to have a stylish Christmas tree skirt. Just figure out what works best for you, your space and your tree and then have fun with your design.

DIY Christmas Stocking

As Christmas rolls around each year, wouldn’t it be nicer to see a stocking that you absolutely love? A handcrafted stocking is exactly what you need to make each Christmas extra special. There are two main types of stockings that can easily be made: creative felt and patterned fabric with trim. Below is a guide on how to make each kind.

Felt Stockings

Not only does felt come in a variety of colors, but there are also plenty of no-sew options available for those who aren’t handy with a needle and thread. An easy way to add flair to a plain felt stocking is to add felt cutout shapes. Some items you could cut out and glue to your stocking are Christmas trees, snowflakes, peppermints, snowmen, animals or gingerbread men. Giving the stocking some trim is another great way to dress it up. Trim can be anything from ribbon to nail heads. Other items you can adorn your stocking with are buttons, bells, sequins, fringe, tinsel, monograms, flowers, and bows.

Fabric Stockings

It’s relatively easy to make your own fabric stockings. Here are instructions on how to do it:

1. Draw your stocking. 

Whether you do it freehand or by a template printed from the internet, trace a stocking shape onto your piece of fabric. Cut out two shapes.

2. Sew your stocking. 

Line up the edges of the two felt pieces and sew a running stitch along with the shape, leaving the top open. Once stitched, fold the top edge inside and hem.

3. Add some trim. 

As mentioned earlier, trim can be anything from ribbon to nail heads. Upholstery webbing and faux fur are also good options for trim.

4. Hang it up. 

For the finishing touch, create a loop out of ribbon for hanging and stitch it to the top.

No matter which route you choose, a handcrafted Christmas stocking is something that will make you smile year after year. Make this the year you start a project and possibly a new tradition.

We Have the Fabric You Need for the Christmas Decorations You Want

If a fabric DIY for the Christmas holiday interests you, don’t hesitate to come in to see us. We have a wide array of fabrics that would make a beautiful tree skirt or lovely stockings for your mantle. Many of our fabrics are versatile to handle just about any project you have in mind for the holiday, which means you don’t have to stop there! 

Stop by our Cutting Corners showroom, located short distance from Frisco, TX. We look forward to helping your home look even more stylish for the holidays!