Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Christmas Creations...

Well the Christmas Tree quilt top was done Monday night and I still haven't made the backing yet. See, as I sewed the tree quilt I was also stitching a few things here and there for the tree skirt. The one cool thing about the FQ's used is that you will have a nice wide strip of pieces left over from the sides. I even cut mine a tad larger than the estimated 12x18, instead adding another half inch or so to the size on each side. So as sewed I made some pieces out if the smaller strips so I could start the tree skirt trees. I continued to sew yesterday until I had the regular Tree Topper pattern and then I put it on the design wall to decide how to enlarge it even more so I wasn't square, and was a little bit bigger.
Then I got the idea! Make it more octagonal and use more of the left over strips!! After making a freezer paper template I started making pieces and the tree skirt is all done, except for quilting and binding, of course! I left open the flap on the bottom all the way to the center and once I see how big the new tree center is, I'll cut a circle and bind it up. This is Marcie's pattern just jazzed up a bit by me!

Now I better get back to finishing my tree quilt. I sewed it together Monday, leaving off the last side row, thinking about just how wide I wanted it to be. It still seems far wider than needed and too wide for the length, but I'm satisfied. My cut blocks turned out to be 9 3/4 x 14, but they looked so leggy that I trimmed them to 13.5". Now I wish I had kept the extra 1/2 inch, but what do you do afterwards, huh? It's still a cool quilt.

Thanks so much for all the comments! I am really blushing! Next picture...all quilted and on the hanger! Next to the tree and the new tree skirt!

16 comments:

Angie said...

Aren't you clever, Judy!!! That is just WONDERFUL! You know that you're going to cause all of us to want to try out hand at your 'jazzed up' version now. LOL Great job, girl!

Libby said...

Man, it looks great! Making it octagonal is the perfect solution . . . those little 'pointies' will cover up the tree stand just wonderfully. I'll say it again - you are a clever, clever girl *s*

Kim West said...

what a great idea!!! I might just have to try this next year.

dot said...

This is great. I was thinking of this but then again in my world it was just a thought. I am happy to see someone really follow through. Good work and it is beautiful.

MARCIE said...

Oh Judy, that really turned out cool! You will have trees all over the place, including under the tree!

Tracey in CT said...

Love the shape of this tree skirt! I think it looks so much better than when you see square ones. Great job!

antique quilter said...

Very Creative Judy! now I am going to have to make this too!
I love your version!
I can't wait to see a picture of it under the tree...
oh I am jealous you have your tree quilt all sewn together..mine will have to be for next year!
Kathie

May Britt said...

This was a great idea. I guess I'll not be able to sew this before christmas this year LOL Too much to do and have to rest my arm.

Darlene said...

Wonderfully clever idea! Can't wait to see your finished trees!
You seem to be enjoying your sewing again - WooHoo! I should follow your lead - no sewing here!

Carol said...

What a great idea...love the tree skirt...you're just like a little Christmas elf :-)

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh what a great idea! I just love it!

Shelina said...

Wow Judy, what a great way to adapt a pattern to make a tree skirt. It's beautiful! I really like the tree quilt in the last post as well. Your house is certainly going to be decked out this year.

Erin said...

Love it! very nice!

Jeanne said...

How great is that! I love your tree skirt. Thanks for sharing your idea.

Wendy said...

I've seen so many versions of Marcie's pattern and I LOVE your jazzed up version. Way to go!

Patti said...

Oh my Judy - you are SO clever! I never in a million years would have thought to do something like this. I love the way it turned out and can hardly wait to see it around your tree. That's what happens - I get behind on my reading and you've done all kinds of wonderful things while I've been gone!