Guest Mary O'Neil demonstrates how to create an embossed velvet tree skirt and exhibits other crafty creations such as a wine bottle cover, ornaments, and a table runner.
Materials
1 yd. rayon/acetate velvet
1 yd. suitable lining
ribbons to tie for closure
needle and thread
permanent marker
Hot Potatoes rubber stamps*
iron
spray bottle filled with water
trim for edge of tree skirt (optional)
*Note: Hot Potatoes brand rubber stamps are deeply etched and, therefore, provide good impressions and hold up well in the heat. This characteristic makes them ideal for this project.
Steps
- Fold the velvet in half and then half again.
- Starting at the corner where there are no cut edges, use a string as you would a compass to make the circle you need for your tree skirt. Use a permanent marker on the wrong side of the fabric to make a cut line. Do the same for the lining. Repeat this to make an opening for the tree itself. Make the opening about 3" deep so when you open up the skirt the center hole will be a 6" circle.
- Now for the fun. Spray lightly on the wrong side of the fabric with water from the spray bottle. Lay a Hot Potatoes stamp on the work surface with the rubber stamp side up. Lay the velvet with the right side facing down against red rubber of the stamp. Apply the hot iron to the area of the stamp for about 30 seconds. Now lift up the fabric.
- After the entire skirt is stamped, cut a slit through the center cut in the velvet and the lining.
- Place the two tree skirt parts right side together and baste, leaving a 6" opening on a straight edge, and turn the skirt inside out. Sew over basting with machine stitching.
- Trim and cut on curves. Turn the skirt right side out and sew up the opening.
- Attach ribbons so that the skirt can be tied around the Christmas tree.
- Optional: Hand-sew the trim to the edge of skirt for a more formal look. The finished result is a beautiful Christmas tree skirt.
Tips
- Practice on some scrap fabric first. If you get marks from edges of the stamp that are not part of its design these can be physically trimmed from the stamp with a sharp X-Acto knife.
- Spray fabric just lightly with water from the mister bottle.
- Try to avoid the areas of the iron where there are steam holes.
- Test the iron to see how hot you need it to be. Mary O'Neil puts her iron on a cotton setting.
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