Free Step-by-Step Guide for Patternless Quick and Easy No Sew Christmas Tree Skirt

If you are no Martha Stewart but still want something created with your own hands for the holiday season, look no further. I always look for a way to make something that can be complicated and time consuming easier and more efficient. Last night I was deciding whether to start sewing together the pieces of what will soon be my niece’s quilt (and Christmas gift), do some Ph.D. work, or finally start the Christmas tree skirt that I knew needed to be made soon. I was only two days removed from making the tree topper for this year and was not looking forward to having to figure out a template for the tree skirt. So, being the creative one I am, I quickly worked out a way to not sew the tree skirt or work with cutting pieces based on a template. And ever the MacGyver, I did not even make the optional circle template below. I simply used the circular round from a frozen pizza.

Below you will find not only step-by-step directions but also pictures to help you along the way. I hope this method finds you well and you can use it right away! It requires little skill, little time, and very few materials and tools. As long as you can fold and cut you are good to go. This is so easy it can be turned into a fun project for kids. Or turn Christmas tree skirt making into a holiday tradition and game by having everyone in the family pick fabric, make their own tree skirt, and vote on the best one. The winner gets to be displayed that year. Or, each person can have his or her Christmas tree skirt on display for one week.

If you are wondering or worried about cost, don’t. I saved money by going to Jo-Ann fabrics. First, the holiday fabrics were on sale for a three-day special. But even after that the fabric was going to be discounted. Second, I have the teacher discount membership card that gives an additional 15% off for the total purchase. Even if I did not have this card, my membership for Kappa Delta Pi also gives 15% off, but the two memberships cannot be combined. So, my fabric was on sale for $2.99/yard. For 1.5 yards, the regular price would have been $16.49. With the sale and savings, I only paid $9.98. So this project cost less than $10 and took less than 10 minutes to complete. Now that’s a savings—both financially and economically.

1. Fold your fabric into thirds.

2. Unfold the last third of the fabric. So you will have two wrong sides together and one wrong side facing up. (Figure 1).

3. Find the center of your fabric lengthwise. (This is easy if you follow the original fold line of the fabric from being around the bolt).

4. Line up the center of your circle template (if using one) with the center fold line. (Figure 1).

5. 5A. Cut around half of the circle (or fold your template in half to form a semi-circle). (Figure 2)

5B. If you are not using a template, cut a free form semi-circle.

6. Cut off the remnant 1/3 of fabric (this is the single layer of the fabric that was wrong side up in Step 2. (Figure 2).

7. Cut up the center of one of the short sides of the main fabric (the one with the hole) from the edge of the fabric to the beginning of the outer rim of the circle. (Figure 3)

8. Open up the main fabric (that has the hole in it) and fit it around the base of the tree stand.

9. It will look a little awkward, but the 1/3 remnant will fix this—and the addition of presents will too. (Figure 4).

10. Layer the remnant fabric over the main fabric.

11. Tuck and fold the remnant piece over the main piece until you get the finished look you desire. (Figure 5).

If you are looking for a challenge or simply like sewing, try one of the following. You can make your own Christmas tree skirt using a template like in this video, with Nancy showing one of her fabulous designs.

You can use my method above to fashion a Christmas tree skirt and then embellish it by adding organdy, ribbon, ruffles, bias tape or another means for finishing the edges.

You can also bedazzle your tree skirt. If you have a glue gun, you can go wild adding faux crystals and other cool additions. You can also use an actual bedazzler that comes with jewels and such included. If you have extra fabric lying around or tattered clothes you want to recycle, you can make appliqués to place on the tree skirt.