Christmas Tree Skirts

I know that we like to convince ourselves that Christmas presents not finished on time for gifting in 2015 are early for 2016, but I am officially late.

I had the best intentions to create two tree skirts as family Christmas gifts, but I just could not appliqué fast enough.  Instead I printed out two photos of what the tree skirts would look like when finished and gifted those!  (*hanging my head in shame*)  After the season ended, the pressure was off and the tree skirts sat untouched.

They are now next on my to do list, so I am dust them off, reassessing my progress and figuring out where I need to begin.  I am really excited to dive in again now that there has been a small break.

Since these were super top secret presents, I am not sure I told you about their start.  In autumn of 2015, there was a Yule Tide tree skirt sew along.  Although I did not officially sew along, I was quite happy to use a discount code to get the skirt and use the tutorials to help me along.  (Anyone looking for a tree skirt pattern for 2016, I would absolutely suggest scooping this one up.  It's very easy to follow, has super ideas/tips and makes a pretty cute finished product!)

Each skirt is made of six wedge shapes, three with trees and three with houses.  I am making 12 in total, then.  They are very scrappy and colorful, made with fusible appliqué and some reverse appliqué on Essex linen.  I have six panels completed and six that still need stitching around the stars.  All of the houses still need windowpanes sewn on and threads secured.  

They will need to be pieced together into a circle, layered, quilted and bound.  I am not sure how I want to quilt them as I really do not want an all over design.  I was thinking of hand quilting around the stars, machine quilting through the snow and down each of the joining seams.  These panels are not that large, so that might be enough.  We will see how it evolves with time.

The goal is to have these finished and posted before June 25th!  Fingers crossed - if it goes any later in the year it really is a 2016 Christmas present and that's just cheating gifting it twice!