It's never too early

....for Christmas gifts. But if this is pushing your envelope, I apologize. Avert your eyes and come back to this post in 6 weeks, or so.

This sweet tree skirt was designed by Carol - she calls the pattern"Oh Joyful" Tree Skirt, and it was a joy to make, actually. When I asked Carol's permission to teach it as a workshop for my guild she was very happy (and even said she'd kiss me, so if I'm ever in Wisconson, pucker up pal!).

Along with the patterns, Carol generously shared some strips of her nice bright reds and clear greens with me because they were difficult to find in the LQS's in June when I was collecting for this project. I was really excited to put a piece of my poppy-printed fabric in there, too. I pieced the entire top in two afternoons at the cottage this summer - it went together really fast and easy.

The only modification I made to the pattern was to make an extra 40" of bias binding (in the workshop, I'll teach the continuous bias binding "barrel" technique). I used this extra length to make two sets of ties that were attached with the binding.

This is my favourite tree - that wee bit of pink is so cute!

Applying the binding is a little tricky, but totally achievable with care. The scallops are rather pronounced, so you've got to make sure there is enough bulk to your binding on those inside corners so that it will pleat nicely and wrap around the the back.

Here's how I did it while attaching the binding by machine to the front of the quilt: about an inch from the inside corner, where two skirt sections were seamed together, I stopped with my needle down. I then folded the binding and made a crease in it exactly on top of the tree skirt seam. Then, 1/4" in from the raw edge of the binding, I made a dot with a pencil on the binding. When my needle reached that dot (in other words, it is now right on the tree skirt seam, 1/4" in from the corner), I stopped again with my needle down, lifted the presser foot and pivoted the whole works, gently coaxing the binding towards me so that it now lays along the new scalloped edge. I'm not sure if I've explained this clearly enough, but if you do make this pattern, or another one with a pronounced scallop, let me know and I will happily help you through it!

My tree skirt is not quite complete yet. I've ordered beautiful star-shaped ceramic buttons from an artisan here in B.C. They will look perfect atop every tree! Then, that will be one Christmas gift done (my sister already knows it's coming to her family....I asked if she liked it first, before I started!).

Have you started making holiday gifts yet?