Braided Homespun Christmas tree

Picture
Homespun plaid always brings a cozy warmth to Christmas decor.  This farmhouse style tabletop Christmas tree is super fast and easy!   The braided fabric can be purchased as a pre-made braided garland from Jubilee Fabric or you can make your own braid with leftover fabric remnants.  Our example in the tutorial below uses a purchased star top as well which adds to the ease and simplicity of this project.  If you want a more complex finished tree, you can easily add stitched or glued "ornaments" such as buttons or beads.  We hope you enjoy this easy holiday project!  Bet'cha can't make just one!

​Materials List:
  • 9-11 feet of braided homespun plaid fabric in a color of your choice
  • 9-11 feet of jute (or cord) approx 1/2" thick  *you can use thinner jute and braid it also to make it thicker.  
  • 1 kraft tree form 17" tall and 4" wide. (Available from Hobby Lobby and likely other craft stores as well)
  • 1 purchased mini tree topper (The one used in our tutorial was found at Hobby Lobby)
    OR
    create your own tree topper glued to a small wooden pick
  • Hot glue gun and glue (Cool melt works as well if you are doing this with kids)
Assembly:
  • If you purchased the braided garland, untie one end before starting.  weave the loose ends back into a braid.  If you are making your own braided fabric, make sure it is 9-11 feet long.  
  • Glue the raw ends of the braid to the underside of the bottom of the tree.  Place this at an angle so that the braid can begin to wrap up around the tree.  
  • Glue the braid all the way around the bottom until you get back to the beginning.
  • At this point begin to wrap the braid up around the tree as you continue to glue in place.
  • Be sure to leave a gap that fits the size of your jute. Just hold the jute in place occasionally to make sure the gap size is correct.
  • Wrap & glue the braided fabric all the way up the tree leaving appropriate gaps for the jute.  Pull it fairly snuggly so that you will have enough length.  End the braid about 1- 1.5 inches from the top, 
  • If you are using the braided garland from  Jubilee Fabric, you may need to untie the knot at the end and weave that extra fabric into the braid to have enough length.  If you use a thinner jute, you will need more braided fabric.
  • Now glue the jute in place just like you did the fabric.  Start just under the bottom edge and glue into the gap all the way up.
  • Finish off the jute at the top by wrapping around the tree.
  • Cut off the exposed tip of the kraft tree.  This will leave a small hole you can use to insert a tree topper of your choice that is glued to a thin wooden pick.  Or you can use a mini tree topper as we did in this example.
  • Either glue your topper on a pick into the hole at the top of the tree or place your purchased mini tree topper in place over the top of the jute.  If it is a spiral wire base like this one, you can use pressure to squeeze the spiral tight onto the tree so that it stays in place.
  • Did you make a cute one?  Send us a pic!