Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Starry Night Tree Skirt

Look, I made another one! Even though that black fabric has been in my stash for several years (purchased no doubt with a different Christmas project in mind) it works well with the bright reds and greens.

Starry night tree skirt by Poppyprint

starry night tree skirt oblique view - by Poppyprint

The workshop filled up last night, so I'll have 15 fellow guild members all making Carol's lovely Oh Joyful! pattern with me in late November. It will be a fun class - I have a great time making this pattern. A 1/4" foot with guide makes sewing all of the strips together easy peasy. I needed to make a second one so that I can demonstrate the technique I worked out to attach the bias binding to those pesky (but cute!) scallops.

My first tree skirt is complete now that I've embellished the trees with these sweet hand made clay star buttons.

tree skirt with stars

Aren't they perfect? Wendy makes the most beautiful buttons on Pender Island, B.C., all cut and painted by hand so no two are alike. If you like these, visit her website and see what else she makes - cute sheep, doggies, kitties, frogs, hearts, skulls, 2-hole sweater buttons...you name it. Wendy even welcomes custom work and she'll ship her buttons safely anywhere. Great customer service! I love supporting women entrepreneurs, especially ones close to home.
[fun aside: Wendy is from the same teeny weeny town in Nova Scotia where my mom was born and my sister was married. This vast country we live in really is rather small at times]

ceramic star button

I attached my star buttons with knotted DMC floss in case they have to be removed for washing (heaven forbid, because those reds were not pre-washed and that could be trouble with the white background!!). I usually try to soak reds and navy/black in Retayne before I use them just to be sure. In fact, that black starry fabric released a lot of dye when I treated it.

Is everyone ready for Hallowe'en? I've got a very au courant costume this year which should be fun. I'll show you photos on the big day. And wait 'till you see the amazing pumpkin T carved on the weekend - it's going to be a crowd pleaser for sure.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another gorgeous tree skirt. I absolutely love it. Those stars are pretty cute too x

Amy Friend said...

I love this tree skirt as well and isn't it nice to be able to use up a big piece of fabric that you've had for awhile? The buttons are a great addition to the first tree skirt. I'm looking forward to seeing your costume!

Unknown said...

Oh it's a Christmas-trees-at-night tree skirt! So pretty, Krista! And I'm very much taken with those one of a kind handmade star buttons. Gorgeous!

Tracey Jacobsen said...

so pretty! I wish I could take the class with you.

Shana Putnam said...

Oh that is beautiful! I would put a few color catchers in the wash with it just in case!!

dutchcomfort said...

Those tree skirts are so pretty! Maybe some colour catch tissues will help you prevent the fabrics from blending!

Wendy said...

This is beautiful, I love the colours you have chosen, it looks so modern.

alobsiger said...

TOP. OF. MY. LIST! I have to have to have to make this ASAP. I've had the pile of fabrics on my sewing table SINCE JULY. Good heavens. Yours is gorgeous and inspiring!

Regina said...

I have the pattern but it's still on my list of things I want to make. I love it!

If you do end up washing it buy the Shout Color Catchers. They are amazing! I tell all my sewing friends about them.

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

Adorable; I especially love your crisp modern looking fabric combo (however old the black fabric might be); it makes the tree skirt very stylish!
I havn't seen a tree skirt in flesh as we use tree mats under the tree on which we put all our presents on Christmas Eve. Same thing really but without the hole in the middle and the split.

Corrie said...

Krista you are by far the most talented quilter I know and the mother of the world's most beautiful children. Best wife ever for my brother.

Julie Fukuda said...

Wow, that is nice and so ahead of the season. I just got the valentine table runner off my cooffee table!

Anonymous said...

I think I probably prefer the black version to the white...mainly because I always pile the presents under my tree and a white tree skirt wouldn't stay white for long in my house!!

Kathleen said...

These are amazing tree skirts! I'm looking around at blogs to get some ideas---I don't quilt, but I did enjoy looking!