Felted Cone Christmas Trees

Hi everyone - and Happy Holidays! We had a big snow storm here in Connecticut a few days ago and it is definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas - or the tundra!

My project - a fairly simple and fun one - is Felted Cone Christmas Trees. I happened across these cardboard cones on Ebay a while ago. I think they are industrial spools for thread or wool. Inverted, I thought they's make a great base for Tussie Mussies, but upright they look like - what else? - Christmas Trees!

What you'll need is 12"x18" sheets of wool felt (I got mine from Vintage Vogue. I believe the two I'm showing here are Cucumber Crush and Babbling Brook), rick rack or thin ribbon such as velvet or grosgrain, sequins, small beads, some sort of "tree topper", white glue and scissors.

Start by measuring out the cone shape onto the felt by positioning it at an angle against one edge and rolling it toward the other edge, tracing the bottom with a charcoal pencil or chalk as you go. Better to make it a little too big than too small! You can always trim later!

Cover the cone with white glue then starting at one edge roll the felt onto it. Secure with clothes pins or rubber bands and let it dry. After it has dried, carefully trim the edges of the seam and trim flush along the bottom.

Now the fun starts! Measure out a length of rick rack or ribbon that will twist around your tree from top to bottom, like garland. Glue or sew sequins topped with beads at even intervals along this garland, then with a thin line of glue, attach it to your tree. Create other bead and sequin "ornaments" and add those to the tree. Let dry.

Attach your tree topper with glue. Allow to dry - and voila! You have a very stylish, modern take on a Christmas Tree decoration. Several of these would look great along a mantel top or shelf.

By the way, if you want a more traditional looking tree ornament, you could first glue a dowel or stick inside the cone with a hot glue gun, and create a base with an old wooden spool. For a different look, patterned fabric could be used rather than felt. I will have a few of these cones available in my Etsy shop, or search Ebay for Cardboard Cones.

Enjoy!!

xox

Melissa

(p.s. my apologies for the lack of pictures earlier! I seem to be Blogger challenged!)