Tool Time Tuesday...No Sew Tree Skirt for $2.50

Hello everyone! Welcome back to another edition of Tool Time Tuesday. I knew that title would grab you...no sew and $2.50...can't beat that! The $2.50 is for the fleece blanket that makes a wonderful tree skirt for Christmas and the left over scraps will make a stocking too!




Here is the bargain I found at Walmart for the fleece. This set of 2 fleece throws was only $5.00. I wish it came with 2 solid throws, but cheapskates can't be choosers.

Dig through your trimmings...ric rac, appliques, ribbons, buttons etc. The extras can be sewn on, but hot glue them to keep it in the "No Sew" department.

Here is the "tool" in the Tool Time Tuesday...

String taped to the end of a pen = a poor man's jumbo compass. This is how we are going to make a perfect circle!

First, lay out the blanket in a single layer.

I folded the right side over to the left (fold will be on the right).

Then I folded the bottom edges up to the top (one fold will be on the bottom and two folds on the right). The next step will start in the upper right hand corner of this picture.

The upper right hand corner looks like this.

Take your make shift compass (pen with string tied to it) and place the pen on that upper right hand corner.

I know what you're thinking...why isn't she taking the cap off the pen. Well, it took a few times for my husband and I to get the picture right, so if I had the cap off there would have been an ink spot the size of a quarter!

Next, you are going to place the string end on the Lower Right corner, which looks like this.

Your finger will keep the string at this point and you will only move the pen, pivoting from this lower right corner.

Pinch the string on the lower right and move the pen across the fabric in a semi circle.

Make the motion first before actually using the pen. Hubby recommended taping the string to a piece of chalk if you are nervous about using a marker.

Can you see the dent I made in the fabric with the pen cap...just make sure of your motion before you use the pen.

Now here is the actual marking.

Easy peasy!

Cut through all thicknesses along the line.

Here is a picture of the left over scraps...do you see what I see? Looks like a Christmas stocking to me.

Ok, back to the tree skirt. I was excited over the scraps there for a second. If you think about it...there are 4 layers of fleece in those scraps, which means 2 stockings plus the tree skirt. So $2.50 divided by 3 things is 83 cents each. Woo Hoo!!!

I digress...Now back to the lower right corner, where you pinched the end of the string...place a pin there to mark the center.

Center marked!

Now unfold to a semi circle. Cut on the fold, but only up to the pin in the center.

Here is the section cut open.

Open to a full circle.

This next section is to cut the hole in the middle for the tree trunk. We have artificial trees, so the "trunk" is skinny. I used a cap from a canning jar. Adjust to your tree size.

Trace directly over the center.

Cut out the circle.

I measured the distance across. It's a great size.

The fleece throw that I purchased was 50 inches x 60 inches, which gave me a skirt 48 inches across.

Now time to embellish 'til your hearts content. Jumbo ric rac...sew on or hot glue.

Fleece snow flake appliques that I had and never used. Didn't have enough to go all the way around, so I need to buy more of those. This is the true color of the tree skirt...not sure why the camera is showing 8 million different shades of green throughout this post.

No, I don't have a tree up yet. Just pulled out the bottom section of a pre-lit tree for the picture...all in the name of blogging right?

Not that this post wasn't picture heavy enough, I really wanted to show you how to make a stocking from the scraps. There are tons of patterns on the Internet, but I just traced a stocking I already had.

Cut out and sew around all sides except the top.

I used a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Turn stocking right side out.

Now take another piece of the scraps...I used the edge that had the blanket stitching. All the work is already done for you!

Determine how long you want the cuff to be and cut.

Measure the width of the top of the stocking and add a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

My cuff was folded on one side, so I only needed to sew one side. Adjust to your scraps.

Sew with 1/2 inch seam and turn right side out.

Now, both pieces should be RIGHT side OUT. Take the cuff and put it inside the stocking with the finished edge (blanket stitching) of the cuff on the inside.

Match your seams. If you have it correctly, the RIGHT side of the cuff should be against the WRONG side of the stocking.

Pin and sew with 1/2 inch seam.

Pull out the cuff and fold over the stocking.

Tah Dah another easy one.

If you don't have enough fleece for the cuff you can always use fabric or cotton batting. Warm and Natural Cotton batting looks great for a cuff.

Here are a few ways to decorate your stocking.

Have fun with your tree skirt and stocking...remember to think outside the box. If you can't find a fleece blanket, how about a round table cloth. Most table cloths are 60" - 70" inches around and they're already hemmed. That's another perk with fleece...no hemming because it doesn't fray! Another tip is actually in a hardware store...you knew you'd end up there on a Tuesday right! Go to the paint section and buy a drop cloth. It's a great heavy weight muslin perfect for this project and the smaller size is only about $10.00.

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Thanks for stopping by and if you didn't see Sunday's post click here. I'm having a recipe linking party that you are all invited to.

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Have a wonderful Tuesday,

~Karen~

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linking to The Idea Room, Under The Table and Dreaming Party and Metamorphosis Monday...join the fun