Have fun choosing the fabrics for this reversible tree skirt. Make one side traditional and one playful, or do as we did and use two colourways of the same pattern. 

You need:
• 2 pieces quilting cotton in complementary patterns, each (approx 1.8 m/2 yd x 110 cm/44 inches)*
• All-purpose thread
• Rotary cutter, acrylic ruler and self-healing cutting mat
• Fabric shears
• Pins and sewing needle
• Compass and pencil
• Newsprint or sewing graph paper**
• 3 self-adhesive hook-and-loop circles (4 cm/1-1/2 inches in diameter), optional

*Quilting cottons vary in width, but average 43 to 45 inches wide.
**Sewing graph paper is available in the notions section of fabric and quilting stores.

Take a look at a larger image of the finished Christmas tree skirt craft.

To make:
Ruffle
1. Using rotary cutter and acrylic ruler and working on cutting mat to protect work surface, cut five 9 cm (3-1/2-inch) strips from width (selvage to selvage) of each piece of quilting cotton. Trim selvages so each strip measures 9 x 106 cm (3-1/2 x 42 inches).
2. Using 5 mm (1/4-inch) seam allowance, sew strips of like colours together at short ends to make 2 strips, each 9 x 530 cm (3-1/2 x 210 inches).
3. With right sides facing, pin strips together along 1 short side, 1 long edge and second short side; using 5 mm (1/4-inch) seam allowance, sew together. Press seams; trim corners. Turn right side out; press. 
4. Using needle and doubled length thread, and scant 5 mm (1/4-inch) seam allowance, baste along long unseamed side. 
5. Gently pull thread to gather. (Gathered length should measure about two-thirds of original length, or 356 cm/140 inches.)

Skirt
1. Make template: On newsprint, measure and mark 2 lines, each 53 cm (21 inches) long, at right angle. With compass, draw quarter-circle from end of 1 line to end of second line. With compass, draw second quarter-circle, with 10 cm (4-inch) radius (or size needed to fit around Christmas tree stand), on same axis. Cut along lines to create template.
2. Working with 1 piece of fabric at a time, fold 2 remaining fabric pieces in quarters to make each into about 55 cm (22-inch) square. Place pattern on fabric, aligning straight edges of pattern with folded edges of fabric; pin. 
3. Cut around pattern. Unfold fabric to reveal doughnut shape; cut slit along 1 fold line from outer edge to inner circle.

Assemble
1. Place 1 skirt piece on work surface, right side up. Starting and stopping 1 cm (1/2 inch) from edges of slit, pin ruffle to outside edge of skirt, matching raw edges (finished edge of ruffle points inward) and easing in fullness of circle.
2. Sandwich ruffle with second skirt piece, right sides facing, carefully aligning edges and corners. Pin around inner and outer circles and along edges of slit, leaving 10 cm (4-inch) gap on 1 straight edge for turning.
3. Backstitching at beginning and end and using 1 cm (1/2-inch) seam allowance, sew pieces together.
4. Turn right side out through gap; press raw edges inside and slipstitch closed. Topstitch, if desired.
5. If desired, adhere self-adhesive hook-and-loop circles at top, middle and bottom of slit in skirt to secure skirt around base of Christmas tree.


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