Hello, lovely crafters! It is Fran here. As the festive season approaches, I am always looking for cosy, creative ways to bring a bit of handmade charm into the home.

If you have a stash of beautiful fabric scraps—perhaps some sentimental offcuts left over from making memory bears, soft sculptures, or art dolls—this is the perfect way to upcycle them. Today, we are making delightful Fabric Yo-Yo Christmas Trees! They are incredibly fun to stitch, look gorgeous on the mantelpiece, and make brilliant little handmade gifts. Let us get our needles threaded and start crafting!

What You Will Need

Before we dive in, gather up your supplies. The beauty of this craft is that it uses simple materials you likely already have in your haberdashery box.

• Fabric Scraps: Cotton works best. Choose traditional festive greens, or mix it up with whimsical patterns and sentimental fabrics.
• Circle Templates: You will need graduating sizes. You can use a compass, or simply trace around different sized glasses, jars, and coins.
• Needle and Thread: A sturdy thread is best for gathering the fabric.
• Fabric Scissors: For clean, crisp cuts.
• A Base: A small wooden spool, a cinnamon stick, or a thick twig from the garden to act as the tree trunk.
• Decorations: A star button or bead for the top, and a hot glue gun to hold it all together.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cut Your Fabric Circles

To create the tapered shape of a Christmas tree, you need to cut out several circles in descending sizes. I recommend starting with a large circle for the base (about the size of a large mug) and making each subsequent circle slightly smaller until you reach a tiny one for the top.

2. Stitch the Yo-Yos

Thread your needle with a double length of sturdy thread and tie a secure knot at the end. Fold the raw edge of your first fabric circle down slightly towards the wrong side of the fabric. Sew a simple, even running stitch all the way around the folded edge.

3. Gather and Secure

Once you have stitched all the way around the circle, gently pull the thread. The fabric will gather into a neat little pouch, forming your yo-yo. Flatten it out so the gathered hole is exactly in the centre, pull the thread tight, and tie it off with a secure knot. Repeat this process for all your fabric circles.

4. Assemble Your Tree

Now for the exciting part! Plug in your hot glue gun. Take your tree trunk (I absolutely love using a cinnamon stick for that festive scent) and glue your largest yo-yo to the top of it. Continue stacking and gluing your yo-yos in ascending order, from largest to smallest, making sure they are centred.

5. Add the Finishing Touches

Top your beautiful little fabric tree with a star button, a shiny bead, or a tiny felt cutout. If you want to add extra sparkle, you can stitch tiny seed beads to the edges of the yo-yos to look like baubles before you stack them.

Fran’s Top Crafting Tips

Tension is Key: When gathering your yo-yos, make sure your thread is strong enough so it does not snap when you pull it tight.

I would absolutely love to see how your little trees turn out! Please share your photos and tag the page so I can admire your wonderful upcycled creations. Happy stitching, and have a wonderfully creative day!