Making of a Christmas Tree ("But only God can make a tree")

Last year, or maybe the year before, I decided I wanted to make my own tree skirt--a block printed one with a linoleum block of my own design. I even bought fabric last year! But I never got around to it. I think I used a tablecloth wrapped around the tree for a skirt instead. It's a lot of work, coming up with a design, carving, and printing it on fabric (not the easiest thing to do, and I still think my method needs improvement for better results), and then the cutting and sewing! It's a lot. So understandably I put it off. And part of that was not knowing how I was going to do certain parts. It was intimidating. But sometime recently I decided I was just going to do it. It couldn't be THAT hard. Come on! 

I knew I wanted to do a plant design, what which plant? What color? Mistletoe? Pine? Snowdrops (I don't know why, snowdrops are not a Christmas flower)? Can't do holly, that's so cliché! My mom's name is Holly, too. It's too obvious. But actually holly is perfect, so holly it is.

The finished tree skirt!

The block

The print on paper

Printing on the dining room table. The fabric is yarn-dyed Essex Linen in oyster (a linen-cotton blend).

To print on fabric, I use what I've learned from Jen Hewett's Print, Pattern, Sew*. She uses screen printing ink applied to the block with a mini paint roller. I mixed this dark red with Speedball screen printing ink (it's very similar to the red that I mixed for a red currant design I printed a few years ago). I don't feel qualified to explain this, but I do recommend checking out Jen Hewett's book and other tutorials and try things out for yourself. I purchased some Speedball ink for block printing on fabric and I'd like to see if I like it better, but I only have black so I didn't try it for this project. As much as I did say it's hard and there are a lot of steps, block printing on fabric is not so far out there that it's out of reach. There's a bit of investment to get the initial supplies, but it's not terrrribly expensive, so I say go for it!

As this is screen printing ink, I followed the instructions for heat setting it (let it dry, set with iron) before sewing.

I won't go into details about how much struggled with just how to get this assembled, but suffice it to say, I did not use any batting (or interfacing--I'm plastic-phobic so I will avoid polyester/adhesive interfacing unless I'm out of options). It ended up being two pieces of fabric sewn together, ties made from the red fabric, and binding at the top (middle?). I could have cut out a wedge to make the edges lie flat, since the base of the tree is more of a cone than a flat circle, but I did not. I don't think I mind that it sort of ruffles at the edge. I'm living with it for now. And I'll be real, I don't like redoing stuff, so it's probably not going to change.

Our majestic tree from a local tree farm. The strohsterne star topper is new, too, ordered online from a Scandinavian store in Minnesota.

I can make the ties lie neatly if I tried. You can see a tiny bit of the binding at the very top of this photo.

 So that is a project conceived well over a year ago finally done! And with plenty of time to enjoy it before Christmas.

It's also reversible! This pretty print is by Sevenberry, a fabric brand from Japan.

﹏

Before having a toddler, my ornaments were largely vintage glass. For the last few years, I've gone a different direction. Not breakable, but not plastic (remember, I am phobic). I separated out all the wooden, cloth, metal, and other ornaments from the glass and used just those. I added strohsterne stars from my local Buy Nothing group, and dried orange slices and other natural material or handmade things. What I noticed from what I had initially was a red/natural (brown, straw)/metallic color scheme and I've really embraced that. Last year, I got really into making felt ornaments, so I now have those additions, too. Below are some of the ornaments that I've made.

J for Jonathan

Saint Hildegard of Bingen--my treasure, made last month. An icon in felt.

Strohsterne star and the felt poinsettia I made earlier. P.S. I recently learned that the native name (Nahuatl language) for this plant is cuetlaxochitl, pronounced ket-la-sho-she, and I'm trying to remember/learn that.

Another recent project. Real walnut shells with secret notes hidden inside and painted gold and silver. Inspired by a Victorian tradition.

Dala horse I made last year.

Mushroom I made last year.

My favorite mushroom that I made last year.

An embroidered Santa, made at a party hosted by my friend Katie. The project that kick-started my embroidery interest.

Silver walnut

Thanks for looking! I really enjoy making things with textiles, thread, and natural materials. It's so satisfying and grounding. I hope you have your own projects and decorations you adore, however or whatever you celebrate!

*Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.