Quilted Christmas Tree Table Topper

As always, begin by pre-washing and drying the quilter's cotton.

Pattern pieces for the star, trunk, left branch, and right branch are free for you to download. Click here  to open a PDF of all four pattern pieces. Print the pattern pieces at full size.

For this example we have six branches on the tree. Three of the branches are a mixture of print and solid fabrics; the other three branches are entirely print, or entirely solid.

As always, you can choose the fabric that you'd like to use. You can make a table topper out of all print fabric, all solid fabric, or a mixture, as we show in this project.

To cut the pieces of the fabric to the correct shape, pin Section 1 of the tree pattern to the fabric and cut out the shape along the outer line. This is one side of the tree branch.

Pin Section 2 to the coordinating fabric. This will be the other side of the top branch. Cut out the shape along the outer line.

Measure and mark a line 1/4 inch above the dotted line near the top point on the tree branch patterns. The dotted line represents where the branches will overlap.

Trim off the top of the tree patterns by cutting along the line you just drew. Now the patterns are the right size to cut the fabric pieces for the remainder of the tree branches.

Trim off the seam allowances on the flat sides of the tree branch patterns by cutting along the dotted lines. Align the patterns together along the flat sides and tape in place. Use this combined pattern to cut one piece from the print fabric and two pieces from the solid fabric.

Pin the trunk pattern to the print fabric and cut out the shape.

Assemble the top layer of the topper. Align the half pieces of the tree branches right sides together and pin along the flat sides.

Sew a 1/4 inch seam along the pinned edges only

Lay the sewn pieces flat and press the seams open.

Align the pattern piece on top of the whole tree branch pieces and mark the center top and bottom. These marks will be used to align the tree branches together.

Lay the tree branches flat with the right side facing up. Lay one of the solid colored whole pieces on top with the center mark aligned with the center seam of the top tree branches. Pin in place. Sew a 1/4 inch seam along the pinned edge.

Fold the seam so it faces the bottom of the second tree branch and press it flat.

Repeat this process with the other tree branches; align the top seam of the third branch with the bottom mark of the second tree branch, right sides together. Pin in place and sew a 1/4 inch seam along the pinned edge. Repeat this process with all the tree branch pieces.

Measure and mark the top center of the trunk piece by measuring and dividing by two. Align the top center of this piece with the bottom mark of the lower tree branch, right sides together. Pin in place and sew a 1/4 inch seam along the pinned edge.

Lay the batting flat and then lay the pieced tree section on top. Pin in place and cut out the shape from the batting.

Remove the pins and separate the layers. To prepare the back piece, lay the solid quilter's cotton flat and lay the pieces tree section on top. Trace the shape and then cut out the shape.

Lay the batting down first and align the pieced tree section on top, right side up. Align the back piece on top, right side down. Measure out 5 inches on each side of the top point and make a mark. Pin the layers together.

Sew a 3/8 inch seam around the outer edge - start and stop at the marks near the top point leaving this area open for turning.

Carefully make a few small cuts in the seam allowance where each of the branches meet. This allows the fabric to lay flat after turning.

Turn the topper right side out by turning in between the front and the back layers. You may use the end of a covered pen to push out the front and back layers. Press the seams.

Fold the fabric of the open ends over 1/4 inch, press, and pin place.

Top stitch around the entire outer edge of the topper with a 1/4 inch seam.

Create paper templates of the embroidery designs by printing them at full size using embroidery software. Trim around the designs for easy placement. Position the designs on the topper and use small pieces of masking tape to hold them in place. Using an air-erase pen, poke holes in the centers of the templates and mark the fabric. Also, mark the horizontal and vertical axis lines.

Remove the templates and draw lines connecting the horizontal and vertical axis lines. These lines will be used for hooping.

Next hoop the topper with sticky-back water-soluble stabilizer (we used Wash Away Extra). 

To do this, smooth the stabilizer to the back side of the topper. Align the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric, and hoop all the layers together firmly.

Attach the hoop to the machine and load the design. Align the needle right over the center point on the fabric and embroider the design. When the designs have been embroidered, trim away the excess stabilizer. The stabilizer may be removed by washing the topper.

Pin the star pattern to the print fabric and cut out the shape.

Use the pattern to cut out a piece of batting and back fabric as well. Lay the batting down first, then the print fabric right side up. Lay the back fabric on top with the right side down. Measure and mark 2 inches from the bottom of the star, which will be left open for turning. Pin the layers in place and sew a 1/4 inch seam along the outer edge starting and stopping marks.

Make a few small cuts at each inner point of the star within the seam allowance.

Press the seams flat. Fold the fabric of the opening in 1/4 inch and press in place.

Top stitch a 1/4 inch seam along the entire outer edge of the star.

Attach the star to the topper by placing a button in the center of the star and aligning the center over the top of the tree branch. Sew the button in place.

It's the tops! A terrific topper for your holiday table!