You bought the tree, wrestled it into the stand, and strung every light, and then you notice the bare metal base and the tangle of cords peeking out. Store-bought skirts often cost $30 or more, and the pretty ones sell out fast. It’s frustrating when the finishing touch turns out to be the hardest piece to find.
The good news is that a tree skirt is one of the friendliest projects you can make, and it costs very little. These thirteen christmas tree skirts patterns free to follow use simple shapes and basic measurements, so even a first-timer can finish one in a single afternoon. Pick the style that suits your tree and your mood.
1. Classic Circle Skirt
Start with the shape everyone recognizes. Fold a 48-inch square of fabric in half, then in half again, and tie a pencil to a string to mark a 24-inch arc from the folded corner. Cut along that arc, then mark a small 2-inch arc at the same corner for the center hole.
Cut a straight line from the outer edge to the center so the skirt can wrap around the trunk. Turn the raw edges under half an inch and sew them down, then add ribbon ties or a few snaps at the opening. Cotton, velvet, and wool felt all work, so use whatever you already have.
2. Quilted Patchwork Skirt
Patchwork is perfect for using up leftover holiday fabric. Cut forty-eight squares, each 6 inches, in reds, greens, creams, and plaids, then sew them into eight rows of six to create a rectangle. Layer the top over batting and a backing piece, and stitch simple straight lines through all three layers.
Once it’s quilted, trace a 24-inch circle from the center and cut it out, then add the opening and bind the edges with bias tape. Keep your color choices loose, because a bit of mismatch is what makes patchwork feel warm and homemade. A scrappy skirt looks wonderful under a traditional tree.
3. No-Sew Felt Skirt
If you don’t own a sewing machine, felt is your best friend. Buy two yards of wide craft felt, cut a large circle about 44 inches across, and trim a small hole in the middle with a single slit leading to the edge. Because felt doesn’t fray, you won’t need to hem a thing.
Decorate it with felt stars, trees, or snowflakes attached with fabric glue or hot glue. A scalloped edge, made by tracing a drinking glass around the border, gives it a soft, finished look. This version is fast and cheap, and kids can help with the decorating, which makes it a nice family afternoon.
4. Burlap Ruffle Skirt
Burlap brings a rustic charm that suits farmhouse and cabin-style trees. Cut a circle about 42 inches wide, then cut long strips of burlap, roughly 6 inches by 60 inches, to gather into ruffles. Run a loose basting stitch down one edge of each strip and pull the thread until it puffs up nicely.
Sew the ruffles around the circle in two rings, with the outer one overlapping the inner one slightly. The rough texture looks lovely beside twine, pinecones, and wooden ornaments. If the fabric sheds too much, spray the edges lightly with fabric stiffener or run a zigzag stitch along every cut to keep things tidy.
5. Plaid Flannel Skirt With Fringe
Flannel is soft, cheap, and instantly cozy. Cut a 44-inch circle from a red-and-black or green-and-cream plaid, and leave the edges unhemmed so they can fray into a natural fringe. Sew a single line of stitching about an inch from the edge, then wash and dry the skirt so the threads loosen.
The frayed border gives a soft, lived-in look that feels like a cabin in the woods. Pair it with a plain wooden bucket stand for extra rustic flair. If you’d prefer a neater finish, fold the edge twice and hem it, but you’ll lose some of the charm.
6. Faux Fur Snowdrift Skirt
A white faux fur skirt looks like fresh snow around the base of your tree. Buy about a yard and a half of long-pile fur, cut a circle 40 inches wide on the wrong side with a sharp craft knife, and trim a center hole. Cutting from the back prevents you from chopping the fur fibers.
Because the pile hides everything, you don’t need to hem, and the opening can simply overlap. Brush away the loose fluff with your hands, then shake it outside. This skirt is gorgeous under a flocked or white tree, and presents look especially festive piled on top of it.
7. Crochet Granny Square Skirt
If you crochet, granny squares make a lovely tree skirt that looks like a family heirloom. Make about forty squares in red, green, cream, and gold, each roughly 5 inches wide, and join them in a circular arrangement with a slip-stitch seam. Leave a small gap in the center for the trunk.
Finish the edge with a simple shell border, which gives it a soft, scalloped finish. This one takes more time than sewing, but it’s perfect for evenings in front of the TV. A skirt in cotton yarn is easy to wash and holds its shape better than wool.
8. Hexagon Quilted Skirt
Hexagons give a tree skirt an old-fashioned look that feels like something from a country quilt. Cut thirty to forty paper hexagon templates with 3-inch sides, wrap fabric scraps around each one, and whipstitch them together by hand. Work from the center outward to build a round shape.
Pick a limited palette, like deep red, cream, and sage green, so the pattern doesn’t feel too busy. When you finish, remove the paper templates and press the whole piece flat. It’s slow and meditative work, but the result looks beautifully crafted and stands out under a simple tree.
9. Snowflake Appliqué Skirt
A plain navy or white skirt becomes something special with snowflake appliqué. Cut a 44-inch circle from felt or heavy cotton, then trace snowflake shapes onto fusible web and iron them onto contrasting fabric. Cut the shapes out and press them onto the skirt in a scattered pattern.
For a polished finish, sew around each snowflake with a tight zigzag or blanket stitch. Vary the size of the snowflakes, from large 8-inch ones to tiny 3-inch ones, so the design feels natural rather than stamped. Navy with white snowflakes feels crisp and elegant, while red with cream feels classic.
10. Tiered Ruffle Skirt
A tiered ruffle skirt feels a bit like a party dress for your tree. Cut three circles, each wider than the one before, at about 24, 36, and 48 inches across. Hem each one, then stack them with the smallest on top and stitch them together at the center ring.
Use coordinating fabrics, such as solid red on top, gingham in the middle, and white on the bottom, for a layered effect. The tiers add volume and cover a wide area, which is handy if your tree has a large base. A tiny ribbon trim along each edge finishes the look.
11. Reversible Two-Sided Skirt
Why have one look when you can have two? Cut two matching circles, one in a festive print and one in a calm solid, then place them right sides together and sew around the outer edge. Leave a small gap, turn the whole thing right side out, and press it flat.
Stitch the opening closed, then topstitch around the border to keep it crisp. Now you can flip it depending on your tree or your mood, red and green one year and neutral the next. Add snaps along the slit so it stays closed and flat on either side.
12. Square Envelope Skirt
A square skirt gives a clean, modern look that suits minimalist or Scandinavian trees. Cut a 48-inch square of fabric and a slightly smaller piece for the lining, then sew them together and turn them out. Cut a small circle in the center and a slit from one edge to the hole.
Fold the corners back in an envelope style, or leave them flat for a sharp, geometric shape. Linen in off-white or soft gray looks beautiful here, and a thin red stripe along the edge adds a hint of color. The lines are easy to cut, even with just a ruler and chalk.
13. Mini Tabletop Skirt
Tabletop trees need a skirt too, and they’re much quicker to make. Cut a circle about 18 inches wide from leftover velvet, felt, or flannel, with a small 1-inch hole in the middle and a slit to one edge. You can finish the whole project in about twenty minutes.
Use a pinking shears for a decorative zigzag edge, or add a bit of pom-pom trim around the border for extra charm. A mini skirt also works as a decorative base for a candle or small lantern. It’s a lovely way to practice before tackling a full-size one.
Final Thoughts
Maybe the real point of a handmade tree skirt isn’t the fabric at all. Think about the things in your home that people actually remember, and you’ll find they’re rarely the most expensive. A slightly crooked seam, a fabric from an old shirt, a skirt your kid helped cut: those are the pieces that quietly turn into tradition.
So the next time you stand in front of your tree, ask yourself what you’d like it to hold besides gifts. A skirt you made yourself carries a bit of your time and your care, and that glow sticks around long after the lights come down. Years from now, you may find it matters more than anything under the branches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How big should a Christmas tree skirt be?
For a 6 to 7 foot tree, a skirt between 44 and 52 inches wide is a good fit. Smaller trees under 4 feet usually look best with a 30 to 36 inch skirt.
Q: What fabric works best for a homemade tree skirt?
Felt, cotton, flannel, and velvet are all easy to cut and sew, and they drape well. Felt needs no hemming, which makes it a favorite for beginners.
Q: Can you make a Christmas tree skirt without sewing?
Yes, you can use felt and fabric glue, or iron-on hem tape, to make a skirt without a needle or machine. Cut a circle, add a center hole and a slit, and decorate with glued-on shapes.