DIY Upcycled Ruffled Tree Skirt

When I had my own apartment, I had a ton of Christmas decorations for my tree. I had a purple satin and velour tree skirt, metallic purple ornaments and maroon bows. Needless to say, purple is probably not Todd's favorite color. Last year, we weren't able to put up our tree because we had just gotten married and it was all we could do to organize our newly joined household. This year though, I am determined to make a more gender neutral tree. I'm picturing a kind of rustic theme with muslins, whites and browns with some metallic bronze bling here and there and pops of bright yellow-green, my favorite color and hey, our wedding colors! And as money is really tight around here, I plan to reuse as many things as possible and not spend a dime.

When I went down to uncover my old tree skirt, I found that it had some sort of stain. No worries though! All will be covered up.

After I laid my tree skirt out on the dining room table (where it fit perfectly!), I found an old sheet in my fabric drawer and cut it into 6" wide strips. Yay for rotary cutters!

Next I lined up my first fabric strip on the edge of the tree skirt and hot glued it down. Throughout the process, I only used dots of hot glue. You can certainly use more if you want. I made sure that my fabric strip had a slight overhang because I don't want people to see the purple fabric underneath later on.

To make the ruffles, I just glued the fabric down with another dot of glue about 2-3" inches from the first dot. I then folded the fabric back onto itself to create a ruffle and glued it down. I continued all the way around.

And around.

 And around. While enjoying a great Christmas movie.

As I got closer to the center, the circles were getting tighter and tighter. This required me to make ruffles closer together so that by the last row, my ruffles were practically on top of each other.

Ta-da! One Christmas movie later, I have a totally free tree skirt upcycle!

To prevent massive fraying (because I used a bed sheet and didn't hem), I sprayed the entire thing with some adhesive spray. Not so smart to do inside because everything (including the floor!) got quite sticky but it had to be done with all this Hurricane Sandy outside. But nothing a quick wipe down with hot water couldn't fix. :)

Final product!

* Note: I only hot glued my fabric because this is only a temporary fix for us. Hopefully, in the next few years we can get a nicer tree skirt... or I will get around to making another one. If you want to make this project more permanent, I suggest hemming all edges and sewing your ruffles. If you aren't a sewer, you can fold and glue your edges with fabric glue.

Total Cost: $0

Tree skirt: already had (formerly purchased on clearance after the holidays)

Spray adhesive: already had

Fabric: already had (old white bed sheet)

Hot glue gun and glue: already had

Cutting supplies: already had

Here's a recap:

Happy Christmas Crafting! I really wanted to try it out around the tree but Todd won't let me set up the tree this early. :( I will post more pictures after Thanksgiving when I'm allowed to set everything up!

Idea from here.

Update 11/2: Just a clarification here but I wouldn't put this in the wash unless you sewed it. :) The glue would wash off in hot water and your fabric would massively fray.

Update 12/11: You can view the final product with the tree here.

{ linking up with }

Tip Me Tuesday @ Tip Junkie

Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug Blessings

Take-a-Look Tuesday @ Sugar Bee Crafts

Tutorial Tuesday @ Hope Studios

Too Cute Tuesday @ Funky Polkadot Giraffe

Tuesday To Do Party @ The Blackberry Vine

Show Me What Ya Got @ Not JUST a Housewife

The Inspiration Board @ Homework Today's Assignment: Be Inspired 

Made by ME @ JAQS Studio
We Did It! Wednesday @ Sew Much Ado

Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts
Show and Tell @ SNAP

Look What I Made @ Creations by Kara
Show & Share @ Southern Lovely
Whimsy Wednesdays @ The NY Melrose Family
Printabelle Wonderful Wednesdays @ Printabelle 
Strut Your Stuff Link Party @ Somewhat Simple

Hookin' Up with House of Hepworths every Thursday@ House of Hepworths

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

A Crafty Soiree @ Yesterday on Tuesday

Show Off Your Stuff @ Fireflies and Jellybeans

Taylor House Thursday's Linky Party @ The Taylor House
Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Fridays Unfolded @ Stuff and Nonsense

I'm a Friday Fav @ Naptime Crafters
It's a Hodgepodge Friday @It's a Hodgepodge Life

Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge

Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence

Tickled Pink @ 504 Main

Flaunt it Friday @ Blissful Bucket List
Kitchen Fun & Crafty Friday @ Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons