Quick and Easy DIY Felt Christmas Tree Tutorial
Are you looking for a quick and easy Christmas felt craft project to do with your kids? Do you still want it to look cute and not break the budget? Then this is the project for you!
Creating your own felt Christmas tree is a fun and easy project perfect for the holiday season. Whether you’re looking to add a personal touch to your decorations or want to create a handmade gift, this DIY felt Christmas tree will be an adorable addition to your Christmas.
This tutorial is perfect for sewists who are just beginning their hand-sewing journey and is also a great option to teach little ones how to hand sew using a needle and thread because you won’t see the stitches.
If you prefer not to sew, you could also make this a no-sew project by using glue instead of a needle and thread.
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Table of Contents
Materials Needed:
- Green felt sheets (1x 4 inches by 4 inches suggested per tree)
- Multi-colored pom-poms
- Scissors
- Needle and green thread
- Ruler
- Pencil
Step 1: Prepare the Felt Squares
Start by laying out your green felt sheet on a flat surface. Using a ruler and pencil, measure and mark squares of varying sizes on the felt. These squares will form the layers of your Christmas tree.
Optional measurements: Start with the largest square at about 2 inches by 2 inches (5 cm by 5 cm), and decrease the size incrementally, with the smallest square being about half an inch on each side.
Step 2: Cut Out the Squares
Carefully cut out the squares along the marked lines. Make sure to cut each square as neatly as possible to ensure a polished final look. You should have multiple squares, decreasing in size, to stack and create the shape of the tree.
Step 3: Arrange and Stack the Felt Squares
Once you have all your squares cut out, arrange them in size order, with the largest squares at the bottom and the smallest at the top. This will help you visualize the tree before you start stitching.
Step 4: Sew the Squares Together
Thread your needle with green thread. Double the thread and don’t forget to tie a couple of knots at the end of your thread and make sure they’re secure.
Begin sewing through the center of each square, stacking them on top of one another as you go (or you could stack a couple at a time depending on how thick your felt is and how sharp your needle is).
Start with the largest square and work your way up to the smallest. Pull the thread tight (but not too tight) to secure the squares in place.
Remember to tie several knots once you’ve got the Christmas tree the height you want it.
Here’s what your finished tree should look like before adding the pom-poms:
Step 5: Add Pom-Poms as Ornaments
Now for the fun part – decorating!
Use your needle and thread to attach colorful pom-poms to the tree. You can sew them on randomly or in a pattern, depending on the look you want to achieve. These pom-poms will act as ornaments, adding a festive pop of color to your felt tree.
Step 6: Display Your Finished Felt Christmas Tree
Et voila! Your simple felt Christmas tree is ready to go!
Once all the pom-poms are securely attached, your felt Christmas tree is ready to display! Place it on a mantle, use it as a table centerpiece, or give it as a handmade gift. This adorable tree is sure to spread holiday cheer wherever it goes.
Tips for Sewing with Kids:
- Use Blunt Needles: If you’re sewing with young children, use plastic or blunt-tip needles to ensure safety. These needles are easier for little hands to handle and reduce the risk of accidental pokes.
- Pre-Cut the Squares: To make the project more manageable for kids, pre-cut the felt squares in advance. This way, they can focus on the fun part of assembling and decorating the tree.
- Opt for Felt Glue: If sewing is too challenging for younger kids, you can use felt or fabric glue instead. It’s a great no-sew alternative that still allows them to create their own felt Christmas tree.
- Let Them Choose Colors: Allow kids to pick their own colors for the felt and embellishments. It gives them a sense of ownership and adds a unique personal touch to their creation.
Alternative Embellishments:
- Buttons: Swap out pom-poms for colorful buttons. They can be sewn or glued onto the tree and offer a charming, vintage look.
- Beads: For a more polished appearance, use beads as ornaments. Choose beads in festive colors like red, gold, and silver to give the tree a sophisticated flair.
- Ribbon or Lace: Add a festive ribbon or lace trim around the tree for a bit of extra decoration. You can even tie a bow at the top to serve as a tree topper.
- Glitter Glue: For a bit of sparkle, consider using glitter glue to create decorative patterns on the felt squares before stacking them. This adds a fun and shimmery touch to the tree.
- Miniature Bells: Attach tiny bells to the tree to give it a jingle. This adds a sensory element to the craft that kids and adults alike will enjoy.
- Natural Elements: Incorporate small pinecones, acorns, or dried berries for a rustic look. These can be hot glued to the tree for a natural, earthy feel.
- Personalized Tags: Create mini tags with names or holiday messages and attach them to the tree. This is perfect if the trees are being used as gifts or table settings.
Troubleshooting
- Squares not stacking neatly? Check that they are centered before sewing. You could draw a dot in the middle of each square to help you.
- Thread tangling? Ensure you’re using the right length of thread (one piece of thread the length of your arm doubled over) to avoid knots.
- Pom-poms not sticking or staying where you want them to? Try using a hot glue gun instead of felt glue or sewing them on with a couple of stitches.
- Difficulty Cutting Straight Edges? Use a rotary cutter instead of scissors
- Felt Getting Fluffy or Pilling? Use a better quality felt (wool felt of blended wool felt).
- Is it hard to push the needle through several layers of felt, especially at the top of the tree where the squares are smallest? Use a thimble and a sharp needle with a larger eye and If necessary, sew through fewer layers at a time.
Wrap Up
This DIY felt Christmas tree is a simple yet charming project that almost anyone can try out.
The best part? You can customize it with different colors or sizes to suit your holiday decor. Remember, the optional measurements allow you to start with a square as large as 2 inches by 2 inches (5 cm by 5 cm) and go as small as half an inch on each side for the top layers. Happy crafting!
Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram #sewistslab or email me a photo of your Christmas tree and remember to pin this tutorial so you don’t lose it. 🙂