The last few months have been filled with Halloween makes and now that Halloween is finished for this year its time to move on to probably my most manic time of the year. I always have more ideas for things I want to make for Christmas than I ever get chance to make, and I don’t think this year will be any different – not helped by the fact i’ve got a massive cross stitch project on the go that I need finished in time for Christmas and I think has at least 3-4months of stitching left in it at the rate i’m currently going……..things could get interesting this year!

However, its not all bad as I have managed to get one of my first Christmas finished – only a small one but at least it is a start!.

I wanted to make a little fabric tree and I always like to use buttons in decorations so decided to combine them both in a fabric strip tree ornament with details added in by the buttons! I like this little small version, but think I will also make some larger ones using longer strips of fabric.

This would be a great way to use up scrap fabrics and spare buttons.

I need to make a few more of these to go with gifts so I had better I get a move on!

To make these little trees you will need:

• Buttons – for the trunk and to go in-between each fabric fold.
• Fabric – for this smaller tree a strip of 45 cm x 5cm, to make a larger sized tree just increase the length and width of the fabric.
• Ribbon – piece of ribbon 10cm long.

Making the trees

1- Take the fabric strip and fold in half lengthways with right sides together so you have a strip 45×2.5cm wide, sew along the bottom and up the side edge to secure, leaving the top edge unsewn. Turn out the right way and slipstitch close the gap.

2- Fold the fabric into the tree shape by folding it backwards and forwards.

3- Take two of the buttons which will form the trunk and sew onto the middle of the bottom layer, then take two button for the next section and sew in the middle, fold the fabric back over the buttons and stitch to secure, then sew the next two buttons. Repeat this process with the remaining buttons and fabric layers. Leaving a 1cm strip of fabric loose at the top.

4- Once at the top of the tree fold the 1cm loose strip of fabric over, then take the ribbon, fold in half and place the raw edges under the folded strip. Sew to secure.