2020 Advent Calendar Day 1 – A Tree Decoration

Welcome to the 2020 Sentti & Tuuma advent calendar! There will be a tutorial, pattern or fabric selection published each day until 24 December and the theme is of course Christmas. It’s very dark her in the north now and even though you may not be religious, there’s nothing like a bit of festive winter- and nature-themed patterns to brighten up this time of approaching winter solstice with its long nights. Our first tutorial is a modern Spruce so keep reading for instructions to make your own!

Supplies

To make a similar-sized decoration you’ll need:

• For the tree:
  • Fabric: 3″ x 10″ (about 5″ finished) – I used Notebook Mint with golden metallic details by Libs Elliott from our shop
  • Filling: quilt wadding/batting or other fluffy material – I used a polyester remnant from making my bed’s headboard (slightly smaller than the tree itself to avoid having this peek out from the seam)
  • Thread: use matching 50 wt thread or scrappy remnant
  • Ribbon: use matching gift ribbon or create from yarn/embroidery thread/paper thread by winding around itself for strength – I picked a length suitable for tree to hang both on door knob or in Christmas tree
• Tools:
  • Sewing machine
  • Needle for hand sewing
  • Cutting mat, rotary cutter and ruler, or go free-hand with scissors, it’s not too precise
  • Pinking shears, if you have a pair, and if not just leave it or use zig-zag stitch instead

Directions

How to make tree:

• Cut fabric to preferred size, fold in half and place filling in between.
• Pin if desired, I didn’t.
• Start sewing from bottom corner up towards tip, using a seam allowance slightly smaller than 1/4″.
• Once approaching tip, fold ribbon in half and place between fabric, 3/8″ to 1/2″ inside.
• Pivot seam before reaching tip, continue down other edge of tree, pivot again and sew bottom seam.
• Cut threads, knot and bury inside tree with needle coming out an inch or so from knots, clip ends.
• Trim carefully edges with pinking shears.
• Admire your work and hang tree in a visible place, alternative wrap for gifting.

Below is a tip for finding cutting lines easily with a cutting mat:

24 Calendar Windows

Find all blog posts of our calendar in this gallery:

 

Will you make one too? Please show us on Instagram using our #senttijatuuma hashtag!