I hope you’ve been enjoying all the Christmas goodies I’ve had for you these last couple of weeks. Today I’ll be showing you how to create a velour Christmas tree, but first let’s review the last few related projects. Last week I showed you how to build a log reindeer…meet Buck.
Then I took you on the Home for the Holidays Tour showcasing our mantel.
And yesterday, I showed you how to create my wall quilt made from vinyl plank flooring.
What fun it is to DIY and craft the day away…hey! Sorry. Got carried away. ahem. Today, I want to show you how to create those sweet velour Christmas trees that adorned my mantel and so many of you have asked how to make your own.
Are you ready to get your craft on? Let’s go!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- foam cones
- green velour fabric – I used a thrifted curtain panel
- 4″ wood slice
- 2″ L x 2″ diameter chunk of wood
- glue gun
- glue sticks
- scissors
- drill
- 1½” screw
- wood glue
If you look at the trees on my mantel, you can see that one of them is built on a wood slice base only and the other was built on a repurposed part. Once upon a thrifting hunt, I found a box of brand new grater attachments and use them to make several creations for my shop. A few were turned into candle holders with a beeswax votive…
…while others became stands for LED tree topiaries like this one.
I had a base leftover and decided found them while pulling out my junk this Christmas, and remembered I had some foam cones I bought for a dollar on clearance during the summer. You can find the foam cones at most any store that carries craft supplies.- just look in the floral section.
DIY TIME
To assemble your base. Just take your 4″ wood slice and apply wood glue to the chunk and attach together using the drill and screw in the center (pre-drill to prevent splitting). Feel free to add a thrifted item to the bottom like I did to add height.
Next, hot glue your foam cone to your wood slice base.
When I saw these gorgeous green velour curtain panels at the thrift store, the first thing I had in mind were pumpkins. Do you know I’ve had the stems and this panel for several years and have yet to make one lousy pumpkin. gah. Well, I’ve used the panel for pillows and other goods, but now it was time for it to become a tree.
NEXT STEPS
Cut a pile of 1″ x 5″ strips for your tree. Glue the ends together with a small bead of hot glue. (You can totally skip this part and use pins instead, but I didn’t want my kiddos taking it apart – a mom has to think ahead!)
Starting at about two inches up base of the cone, add another bead of glue to the back top edge of one of your folded strip and place it on the cone. Slightly over lap as you go to create a lush effect.
For the second row of our velour Christmas tree, add more strips about an 1½” over the first row, and place it over the seams of the first row.
Continue up the tree until you are close to the top, but don’t go all the way up.
Cut a 2″ x 2″ square of velour for the top of your tree. Then make four cuts starting at the corners and about ½” long towards the center.
Apply a bead of glue to the center of the square and place it over the top of your cone. Then, grab each corner and pull down and to the side overlapping to get the fabric to lay flat and add a bead of glue to secure.
Don’t worry if it doesn’t look pretty. It will all be hidden. (I apologize for the fuzzy pictures. My toddler kept climbing on me wanting to help. ♥)
THE REVEAL
Finish adding your strips until you reach the top and then you’re done! Warning: these are highly addictive in cuteness and you will be making these by the dozens!
If you loved this velour Christmas tree project, do pin and share so others can enjoy too!
Now it is time for me to take a break, a much-needed break. I need to think out some things for myself, my family, my business, and blog. AND, clean my house like none other. In order to do that, I have asked three of my blogging friends to step in for me next week and share their projects with you. I know you’ll love them as I do. I can’t wait to show you what they have in store. Likewise, I’ll be back the week of Christmas to show you what I have been working on and wish you a Merry Christmas!
Also, more of my projects for you to enjoy:
The velour trees look so much more difficult to make than they are – thanks for the tutorial. Pinning to share and refer back to. Enjoy your break – well deserved my friend. I’ll be doing the same reflection as you after the holidays. Sometimes we need to STOP, take a deep breath, and do a review in order to regain our focus.
You bet! They’re simple and offer so much impact. I am enjoying my break with all the headaches that have been thrown my way with our vehicles breaking down, but if things were easy for us I wouldn’t know what to do with myself. 😉 Thank you, Marie and I hope you have a blessed Christmas!
Larissa, the trees are so pretty and I love that you used the velvet fabric. A perfect holiday addition to any home. I hope you enjoy your well deserved break and I will see you in a few weeks, I’ll also be taking a break the week of Christmas. Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy the holiday with your wonderful family. And thank you for being such a freind when I was a fish floundering out of water. xoxo
Thank you, Mary. The break has been good, but not slowing down much just catching up on my home and trying to prioritize. May you have a very blessed Christmas!
Larissa – Your velvet trees are beautiful. I’ve made similar trees as gits in the past but used burlap. I have a bunch of Christmas material that I think I might try to use for this. I would have never thought to use material for these trees had I not read this entry. As a note to you or others, when I’ve done these in the past instea of a styrofoam tree I have used old pieces of cardboard from both poster boards and old ceral boxes. Those styrofoam trees can be kind of pricey. For my bases I used old stair posts/newels that I painted black. You have such a creative mind. I always love seeing what you have come up with.
I am so enjoying your blog! Thank you for all the tutorials…now on to getting things made! Blessings to you & your family this Christmas season!
That’s the spirit, Rosita! 😀 Thank you!