HCB: Hexagon Tree Skirt Tutorial

Here I am, with the second installment of the Holiday Craft Bash! Hopefully, you've checked out the tree skirts that Jessica, Debbie and Meredith created!

I have to give some credit to my pal Amanda on this tutorial. She helped me talk through the steps, and also encouraged me to continue when I wanted to throw this project in a corner! Thanks for that, Amanda!

Today, I'm going to show you how to make a hexagon-shaped tree skirt, made from 60 degree triangles.

All seams are 1/4" unless otherwise noted.

List of Materials:

-60 degree triangle template (you can purchase here, or draw your own!)
-Twenty-four (24) 8 1/2" strips of various prints/solids
-1 yard of fabric (for the back)
-1/2 yard ribbon

Directions:

1) Cut twenty-four triangles from your strips. I cut mine using the largest size, which is marked as 9", but when placed on a strip of fabric, fits within the 8 1/2" height.
If this doesn't make sense, please let me know!

2)Lay out your 24 triangles in a hexagon shape.

You'll have four rows. The outer rows will have five triangles, and the inner rows will have 7.

3) Sew your triangles together into strips. It is helpful to square your edges (the template will help you do this, if you have one!), and just keep your 1/4" seam. Press your seams.

4) You should now have four strips.

Fold your shorter rows onto your longer rows, and sew together to form two halves. Press your seams.

5) Finally, fold your two halves together and pin. Sew to the center point (i.e.: the center of your hexagon). Press.

6) Fold back in half, and lay your solid fabric (or the fabric for the back) in half underneath. Your back fabric should cover the half hexagon.

Cut the half hexagon from your solid fabric (while on the fold). This should give you a whole hexagon to match our top shape.

7) Now, pin around the perimeter, with right sides together.

Cut a slit in the back fabric to match the slit on top. You will also need to pin along both sides of this slit.

8) Using a jar (or some other household object), trace a circle in the center of your hexagon. This should be large enough to fit the diameter of a tree!.

Cut the circle from both layers, and pin around the edge.

9) Cut your ribbon in half and insert each half into one side of the open edge. The ribbon should be in between the two layers, with just a small portion showing.

10)Now, we're ready to sew! Sew around the entire perimeter with a 3/8" seam allowance , including around the circle, leaving a small 5-6 inch area on one of the unconnected ends.
Be sure to sew over both pieces of ribbon!

11) Before turning inside out, clip around the center circle.

12) Turn right side out through your gap and push corners.

13) Press and top stitch, closing the 5-6" gap.

That's it! Check it out!!

And I hope you'll make a stocking or tree skirt from one of our tutorials! If you do, make sure you add it to our flickr group.

The prize this week is from my sponsor, Stash! She's offering up a bundle of Moda Bella solids that coordinate with Simply Color, and a charm pack!

ETA: At the widest point, this tree skirt is approx. 36" wide. Each hexagon side is 18".