No-Sew Ruffled Muslin Tree Skirt

It has only taken approximately ten years of marriage to reach this point…
No-Sew Muslin Tree Skirt- Maison de Pax
As promised in my Christmas tour, I have a fabulously easy tutorial for you today. Until this year, the only tree skirt I’ve ever had was a tablecloth that I found on clearance for $3. I’d say this is an improvement.
ruffled tree skirt- Maison de Pax
I was so pleased with my DIY ruffled muslin curtains that I wanted to attempt a similar simple, neutral, but texturally interesting tree skirt. And since I already have smocked drop cloth curtains in my living room, I wanted a lighter look under the tree. And though I love both of my sets of curtains, the most glorious thing about this tree skirt is that (unlike the curtains), it was done in an evening. That’s my kind of project!
ruffled tree skirt with presents - Maison de Pax
I only used four materials (plus scissors and a yardstick):
  • unbleached muslin (approximately 3 yds)
  • drop cloth (4 1/2′ x 4 1/2′)
  • hot glue
  • grosgrain ribbon

DIY ruffled tree skirt list- Maison de Pax

Once I had my plan (and my materials because – another great piece of news – I already had them all!), I began looking online for DIY tree skirt help. Turns out, I’m not the first one to make a ruffled tree skirt (surprise, surprise), so I especially want to give credit to Miss Mustard Seed for her gorgeous ruffled tree skirt. And though I would never presume to improve upon anything Marian does, I did lots of things differently simply to match my materials and my taste… So I’ll give you my own version here.

To make your own no-sew ruffled muslin tree skirt:

1. Make your base:
For instructions on this portion, I will refer you directly to the “Measure and Cut Canvas” portion of Miss Mustard Seed’s tutorial. I will spare you any of my process pictures since I made this one evening after I put my boys to bed (and while I watched television… a movie and a half, that’s how long it took from start to finish!). Her tutorial for this is very clear. You can, however, see how the bottom of the skirt looks when finished.

DIY ruffled tree skirt back- Maison de Pax

2. Prepare your muslin:
I love muslin. It’s light, natural, and SO inexpensive! Also, for this project, since you will be cutting long strips, you can purchase extra wide muslin (my was 80″ wide), meaning you can make longer strips, saving time. For my skirt, I cut 3 1/2″ wide strips. To cut your muslin, fold the fabric in half (along the blue line) once or twice, so that your fabric is doubled or quadrupled over. Then use a yardstick to draw lightly in pencil or chalk straight lines every 3 1/2″ (see red lines). Finally, cut through all the layers of fabric along those red lines. This was the most efficient way I found to cut loooooonnnnng strips of muslin and keep them fairly straight.

ruffled tree skirt fabric sketch - Maison de Pax

3. Make your ruffles:
Starting with the outside edge of the drop cloth, run a bead of glue about 2 1/2″ in from the edge. Lay the muslin on the hot glue and then scrunch it into ruffles (you have to work fast so the glue doesn’t dry before you get the ruffles made). Work in no more than 10-12″ sections. Start your next row 2 1/2″ further in.

ruffled tree skirt close ruffle - Maison de Pax

4. Attach ribbon ties:
I used 1/2″ grosgrain ribbon that matched the muslin (which I already had on hand), but you could use any ribbon you want. Cut the ribbon into ten 1′ pieces. Evenly space five ribbons on either side of the slit you made in the skirt and attach with hot glue. Tie ribbons into bows once skirt is in place.

ruffled tree skirt ties- Maison de Pax

I couldn’t be more pleased with the result… I never could bring myself to spend a fortune on a tree skirt, and I’m honestly not sure I would like anything I bought nearly as well as this. That is the perfect formula: inexpensive and beautiful! An excellent handmade addition to Christmas.

DIY ruffled tree skirt- Maison de Pax

And I love how the soft ruffles complement the diy book page ornaments and other neutral but textural elements on the tree.

DIY ruffled tree skirt- Maison de Pax

Don’t miss these other handmade Christmas tutorials:

book page ornament tutorial - Maison de Pax
DIY Book Page Ornaments
marquee letters lit full- Maison de Pax
DIY Vintage Marquee Letters
diy sheet music christmas trees-  Maison de Pax
DIY Sheet Music Christmas Trees

Similar Posts

46 Comments

  1. This is absolutely beautiful and simple! I have been wanting a new skirt and this is it! Also love the wrapping idea with the deer. Shared and pinned! Merry Christmas! Christy

  2. What a gorgeous tree skirt.embarassed to say I threw a few yards of red burlap around my tree….with no pretty ruffles.

    1. Oh Laura, TRUST ME when I say there is no judgment for that here!! Like I said, it’s only taken me 10 years to do anything about a real tree skirt. 🙂 I’m so glad you like it!

  3. So pretty! And I love how easy it looks! Thanks so much for sharing with us! Hugs…Debbie

  4. BEautiful! It doesn’t look like it could possibly be no-sew! Great job, Rachel -love it! 🙂

  5. No sew! Yep… you’ve sold me. I definitely need a new tree skirt and yours is gorgeous! Pinned and definitely going to try one.

  6. I always thought ruffled tree skirts were difficult to make, but your tutorial has given me hope that maybe I can make a version for myself. Yours is gorgeous!

  7. Rachel!!! Your tree skirt is so lovely! And, I also love your wrapping with the cut-out reindeer silhouette.

  8. I love this tree skirt, so pretty and simple. I adore homemade Christmas items as they remind me what matters at Christmas, family. I have a tree skirt that my mother made for me and I just absolutely adore it as it makes me think if her every time I see it. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

    1. Thank you so much, Angie! I couldn’t agree more about homemade Christmas decor… it’s so much more personal and special that way! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, as well!!

  9. Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to make a tree skirt like this?? Yours is BEAUTIFUL, Rachel!! It’s the perfect backdrop for your gorgeous tree. Seriously, come make me one now!! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing! Have a very Merry Christmas, sweet friend!

    1. So glad you like it, Liz! I’ll make you a deal: I’ll come make you a tree skirt if you’ll come make me a mistletoe ball. 😉 Hope you’re enjoying the holidays!!

  10. Hi Rachel, I wanted to drop by again to let you know I’ll be featuring your beautiful tree skirt at this weeks Open House party. Happy Holidays!
    Hugs,
    Sherry

  11. Hello Rachel,
    Love your DIY tree skirt…marking this one for next year. I would like to invite you to come by and share it any Christmas post at my Christmas party that is now going on.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    1. Thank you so much, Linda! I’m so glad you like it, and I’d be honored to come to your party. Thanks for the invitation!
      Rachel

    1. Haha. I hope you get a chance to make one – I’ve so enjoyed mine!! Take care and have a wonderful Christmas!

      Rachel

    1. Thank you so much, Kate! The tree was a real one that we purchased from Houston Garden Center that year. Hope this helps. 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *