Quilted Christmas Tree

I've had a cold for a couple weeks and my normally-well-controlled-asthma has flared badly. I've come to the conclusion that I'm probably reacting the the real Christmas tree, so that went out today. I started 5 days of prednisone today & I'm already feeling better -- not sure if it's due to the tree being gone or the meds, but whatever it is, I'll take it!

I've decided I'm not going to have another real tree next year. I've never been a big fan of artificial trees and I don't have much room to store one. (One of the advantages of a real tree is that you throw it out at the end of the season. :-) ) I'm wondering if maybe I could make a large wall hanging tree -- maybe 3x6 feet or even a bit bigger -- and hang some of my ornaments on it. Have any of you done anything like that or seen anything like that? Any ideas?

Julia in MN

Reply to
Julia in MN
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I have drawn out a pattern for a 'tree', in a 4" square! Not a lot of use to you - I made it for a sampler quilt for our group. However, I'm certain it could be adapted. This one is made with tiny half-square triangles and forms an equilateral triangle (it is set diagonally in the square. For a Christmas tree you would want a more conical shaped tree. This could be achieved by basing the pattern within the cone on rectangles. One way - for each inner rectangle - would be to: draw a rectangle (height and width of this based on the height and width of the base of the cone, divided as you wish), the join the mid-point of the top line to each of the two lower corners. You could make whatever effect you want, by your colour placement.

If you wanted 'ornaments',in bright colours, or gold/silver, they could be appliquéd. Or you could sew strips of fabric (or cord), across the short rectangle seams, so that lightweight ornaments could be hung on them.

I hope that has given you perhaps a starting point for ideas?

I'm getting quite excited by this, as it would be just the thing for me to make for myself! as I can't really be doing with a tree - a bit OTT for one person >g< . I think I'm going to have a play with a design over the next few weeks.

Lovely idea Julia. Thanks.

Pat on the green

Reply to
Patricia Storey

Thanks, Pat -- you've given me some ideas. I like the idea of cording loops for hanging ornaments. I could also attach a "mostly-loose" garland that could hold some ornaments. I've some some tree wall hangings that could be adapted for the base. I'm thinking scrappy shades of green in whatever pattern I use. I want to be able to use some of my ornaments. I've collected some over the years when we travel. The kids have given me others. There are a lot that have some sentimental value and could be used on a wall hanging. I haven't figured out how to use the tree-top angel that we bought for our first Christmas tree 46 years ago. And there must be a way to add some lights.

Julia > >>

Reply to
Julia in MN

I've been doing some web-browsing & found this pattern:

This is somewhat what I had in mind. I'm going to be thinking about this for a while! Also found a bunch of other stuff via pinterest, but this in the one that I keep coming back to.

Julia > I've had a cold for a couple weeks and my

Reply to
Julia in MN

That's got us both thinking, then! If you do want to hang ornaments of any weight, you can always mount your 'tree' on a piece of board of some description.

Pat on the green

Reply to
Patricia Storey

Very interesting Julia! My thoughts were much more staid!

Pat on the green

Reply to
Patricia Storey

I do think I'd probably use less contrast in the green fabrics -- I want to show off my ornaments, so I'd rather have more focus on the decorations than on the tree itself.

Julia in MN

Reply to
Julia in MN

I do think I'd probably use less contrast in the green fabrics -- I want to show off my ornaments, so I'd rather have more focus on the decorations than on the tree itself.

Julia in MN

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Reply to
Bobbie Sews more

Take that dead tree branch and hang empty printer ink cartridges on it. Now sing along "...and a cartridge in a bare tree..."

Leslie & The Furbabies > I've had a cold for a couple weeks and my

Reply to
Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

I was going to say the same thing but in this case the branch was painted white with a sprinkling of silver glitter. I hope to do it next year just to put my beaded ornaments on because the beauty of them get lost in the branches of traditional trees.

(Snipped)

--
Shirley 
www.allcrafts.org.uk
Reply to
Shirley

groan....

That's as bad as our traditional holiday jokes here -- which seem to have gone missing this year.

Julia in MN

Reply to
Julia in MN

Pat on the green

Reply to
Patricia Storey

I've answered this on Facebook too. I have put (or will in a minute!) pictures of the tree I made from a patterns that came from Cheryl in Oz a few years ago on picasa. It is all half square triangles, and if anyone wants the pattern I am sure Cheryl shared it with everyone originally and I can e-mail it. I put a purchased star on the top and hung miniature Christmas ornaments and bell on mine. I also hung fairy lights along the top border. I stiffened both the top and bottom with plastic stick (actually the conduit electricians thread electric cable through under the wall plaster - light, stiff but easy to saw with a bread knife!)

Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~uk

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Reply to
Sally Swindells

Oh yes! ... I guess I've been so busy (rushing hither and yon, achieving little >g have gone missing this year.

Reply to
Patricia Storey

The jokes did appear on Facebook. The RCTQ site is very safe - much safer than on here as its a closed site - all members are vetted so no stranger can wander in, and you would find lots of people you know - some who had disappeared from the Newsgroup - and lots of pretty pictures. Do come and give us a try. Since I've been on there hasn't been any spam or unpleasantness.

Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~uk

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Reply to
Sally Swindells

I have a miniature christmas tree made out of beads with tiny ornamnets. Got it at a doll-house minature shop many many years ago, so I don't kow if they are still around. It fits quite nicely on a table-top being about 7" high and 6" wide (including base). You might want to look into something like that.

I got it because I have asthma and cannot have a real tree >I've had a cold for a couple weeks and my

Reply to
Fran

Howdy! Having more ornaments than trees to put them on, I've used several types of alternative trees, including that nekkid branch in a heavy pot, and several branches stuffed into an old glass battery box. Something like this (mine doesn't spin) holds part of the collection of Mercedes-Benz ornaments husband gave me:

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There are several "artificial" trees in our house; too many allergy sufferers to have "real" trees inside. Mom had one of these for a few years:
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Some fun, clever stuff on Pinterest for Alternative Christmas trees:
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Good luck! You have about 11 months to decide what you use next time.

Happy New Year! Ragm> A few years ago a friend put a dead tree branch in a flower pot and hung her

Reply to
Sandy E

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