DIY Natural Glittered Tree Skirt

Is it looking like a white Christmas where you are yet? I’m loving getting my Christmas things out slowly, preparing for the season. This natural glittered tree skirt is a DIY I created last year and shared over at Pretty Providence. I still love it just as much this year and thought it was about time I share it with you all! It fits perfectly with my pared down holiday decor (it’s like I saw this coming) and so does that glittered wood star! My decor before? Well… you’ll see that RED and all things not simple tree skirt when I’m tracing it below, but I’m happy to see all of that go and switch it up for something a bit more minimal.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own:

• An old tree skirt for tracing (or you could draw a large circle)
• Drop Cloth
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine with White Thread
• Glitter Spray (I used this glitter spray– it worked fabulously!)

See! That tree skirt… oh man. It needed to go. Do you have one like this? Get excited that you’ll never have to see it again. It was around this time last year that I discovered my love for drop cloths… since then I know you’ve seen a million DIYs here on Lemon Thistle using them but at the time it was such a novelty. I went on a spree making all sorts of decor out of it (remember this holiday pillow?). If you weren’t around when I sang my praises for the material, maybe I should let you in on my obsession. They’re neutral, they’re sturdy, they’re easy to work with, hold paint well, and they’re dirt cheap. Why wouldn’t you love them? Just make sure you pick up the uncoated kind. I always buy this one because projects I do are never more than four feet wide so it is the best price for what I get. The wider ones cost more for almost the same amount of material. Plus, this one always has nice flecks of colour in it. Okay. So enough about the love of drop cloths… How about the steps? Start by laying your eyesore of a tree skirt on top of your drop cloth and trace, adding two inches for seam allowance. Then (you guessed it!) cut it out.

I found that since my previous treeskirt had a wavy edge (why!?) I folded it to trim the edge and smooth it out. While it was folded like this, I cut the hole out of the centre (much like you would fold to make a paper snowflake). Then, unfold it and cut a slit in one side.

So I know that no-sew is this big thing- no one wants to sew. But I don’t know why! I love sewing, so that’s how I made this guy. BUT drop cloth is so thick that it glues really really well. So if you’re into stitches, then feel free to use a glue gun to turn the edges over- I won’t judge you. Once your drop cloth is all cut out, head over to your sewing machine and fold under the edge and hem it (or glue it!). Once your edges are all finished, pull your drop cloth back out.

Use the scrap edges (that are hemmed for you) and cut as close to the stitching as possible. This will make your ties to close your tree skirt off. This saves you some sewing. Cut 6 of them to length (about a foot) and stitch them on to your tree skirt- three on either side of the slit.

It looks really good (and simple!) as is at this point, but I decided to add a bit of sparkle. I used this glitter spray (also in the spray paint aisle at Michaels) and did three coats. The photos don’t capture how shimmery it really is- it reflects the lights on the tree perfectly. I think it keeps the simplicity of the tree skirt while adding a bit of festive charm to it.

That’s all! you’re done and you can go tie your drop cloth glittered tree skirt under your Christmas tree and admire how not-tacky your house is. I should say- this is totally my style BUT my aunts commented that they like our old one better. So I won’t be offended if you like that red thing up there- it’s just not my style. What do you think? Could your Christmas decor use a bit of simplifying?