treeskirt

Christmas Tree Skirt

.:a holiday project:.

December 2005
Not sure exactly when I started this project, but figured I'd make one for my parents for christmas. Since we have had our current one since forever and it doesnt fit the tree stand anymore, since our old one cracked. I wasn't really sure about designs and everything, but I did see a few that I liked online and in some stores (wal mart, of all places). Then I was inspired from a gown at the Renaissance Faire, decked out with tons of snowflakes. So that's where the basic idea came from.

I originally wanted a nice deep red colored velvet, but couldn't find any that i really liked. So i went online, thought i found the perfect deep blue color and ordered 5 yards, with a yard of sil dupioni for a ruffle. well the velvet turned out to be a really nice black (i have 5 yards of wonderful black velvet in perfect condition, if anyone wants it!) the silk, was wonderful. i will have some part of some dress made out of that in the future. ahh, wonderfulness. so it was off to Rag Shop. there i did find wonderful blue velvet buried inder awesome olive green velvet that would have been perfect for Eowyns Green Gown. (well, close anyway.)

I bought some small stars that can pass for snowflakes, and i had 12 larger snowflakes from JoAnns. I think I still might add some bugle beads in shapes of snowflakes. Not sure as of yet, but it'll certainly add to it. :)

Well Christmas Eve came around, i had wanted to get it all done for that night, since that's when we exchange family gifts. Since i only started it the day before, it wasnt quite done. I guess that's why you could say i'm still working on it now.

As for the construction of the tree skirt, it was very easy. Just like a big circle. Sewing, on the other hand, was not so easy. I dont think i've used that many pins for anything ..... even cutting the fabric was not easy. If i ad a cutting table instead of a rug, it would help a little. oh well .... you live and learn.

I've put up some pics here of what it looks like so far (all should link to their full size). Without very good lighting, the velvet almost looks black, but as long as it's in good lighting, it resembles the colors in the pics below. (and please ignore my room .... my sister got a new desk for her birthday, which means i got her old one, and was re-aranging my whole room.)

Early January 2006
One of my New Year's Resolutions: cant start new projects unless my current ones are done. So this is getting done, now. Because I finally figured out what I want my Narnia/LotR Dress to look like, and i can actually start it! So i finished lining it, which was a pain cause i has just enough cotton to do most of the lining, there's one little part where it pulls funny because the lining is shorter than the velvet. But aside from that, this is almost actually done! i've been sewing on the snowflakes, and have a couple more small ones and a few big ones to put on. then I just have to fix that spot where it pulls (still not sure how, but i'm figuring it's going to be a bit of work ... grr) and possibly add some silver bugle beads to make more little flakes ... but i'm not sure.

I have wonderful pics up (courtesy of my new digital camera!) and some more, once it's all done.

January 11, 2006

well it's finally all done. everything is sewn on, and i fixed that weird pull cause the lining was too short. not bad .... for all the effort i've put into it. and besides ... it's my first time working with any kind of velvet, so it's allowed to not look totally perfect. and ... i now have some experience working with velvet.

just one last thing before i have finished pics up ... i'm still debating if i should add some snowflakes with bugle beads .... i was thinking of making some, using 5 beads and putting a circle bead in the center. kind of like a silver flower. hmm .... not sure at all. i might add them .... but at a later date.

ok .... pics. and next year, pics of it actually under a tree. ;)