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How To Make Fabric Christmas Tree

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Looking to add a handmade touch to your holiday decor? Try making this adorable DIY Fabric Christmas Tree using the traditional Japanese “Tsumami” folding method! This DIY craft involves folding small fabric squares into pretty petals to build a cute Christmas tree full of texture and charm. It may look tricky, but don’t worry—with a bit of practice, you’ll be folding like a pro in no time!

Ready to make your holiday decorations extra special this year? Why not try crafting a beautiful Fabric Christmas Tree using the Tsumami folding technique, a traditional Japanese art form that involves folding fabric into intricate shapes? It’s a fun, relaxing project that adds a unique, handmade touch to your festive decor.

This fabric Christmas tree consists of two types of leaf petals: round-tip for a softer look and pointy-tip for extra flair (click to view I fold them). Once you’ve folded all your petals, glue them onto a cone form following the instructions. I have prepared the template design for you to download and print out.

After you have completed the basic tree, you can personalize your tree with beads, sequins, and a shiny star topper (click to learn how to DIY it). Play around with colors and embellishments to make it uniquely yours.

Ready to make your holiday decorations extra special this year? Why not try crafting a beautiful Fabric Christmas Tree using the Tsumami folding technique, a traditional Japanese art form that involves folding fabric into intricate shapes? It’s a fun, relaxing project that adds a unique, handmade touch to your festive decor.

Ready to get started? Head over to the tutorial section below for step-by-step guidance. Have fun crafting your own cute DIY Christmas Tree, and bring some handmade cheer to your holiday celebrations!

What’s Next:

  • Show us your crochet Christmas tree by posting it on Facebook and/or Instagram and tagging @craftpassion.
  • Not making it now? Save it for later by pinning it to Pinterest.
  • Share this unit idea with your crochet groups in preparation for a DIY event.
  • Browse more Christmas Crafts to make, and be jolly happy!

Merry Christmas!

Ready to make your holiday decorations extra special this year? Why not try crafting a beautiful Fabric Christmas Tree using the Tsumami folding technique, a traditional Japanese art form that involves folding fabric into intricate shapes? It’s a fun, relaxing project that adds a unique, handmade touch to your festive decor.

How To Make Fabric Christmas Tree

Yield: Kanzashi Christmas Tree
Active Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours
Difficulty: Avid Beginner/Intermediate
Estimated Cost: $2 - $6

The Kanzashi fabric Christmas Tree is made from two types of Kanzashi fold petals: round tip and pointy tip. Watch the instructional videos to learn how to fold them. With a little practice, you'll find it's not as difficult as you may think.

I am using fabric glue, but you can use hot glue for a quicker process.

Download and print the tree cone template separately.

Materials

  • Fabric for the cone base
  • Fabrics to fold the Kanzashi petals
  • Matching color sewing thread
  • Cardboard for cone
  • Cardboard for the base of the cone

Tools

  • Fabric Tacky Glue or Craft Glue or Hot Glue
  • Sharp point Tweezer
  • Needle

Instructions

  1. Gather and prepare the material as listed above.
    fabric christmas tree

Prepare the Cone Form

  1. a. Roll the cone and attach it to the glue line. You may need to use 1 or 2 pieces of tape to secure the joints before the glue dries.
    b. Clip the base's curve, fold it up as shown, and apply glue to that area.
    fabric christmas tree
  2. a. Insert the base into the bottom of the cone.

    b. Glue a slightly bigger circle fabric piece to the base.

    c. Clip the curve of the fabric and glue it up to the cone.

    d. Make a small hole at the center of the base to insert a floral wire later.
    fabric christmas tree

Fill The Tree With Kanzashi Tips

  1. a. Prepare your Kanzashi petals, both round tips and pointy tips. Click the video links to see how to fold them.

    b. Raise the cone by placing a stand to make it easy for you to work on. Then, apply glue to the first row of the cone.

    c. Dip the petal base in a pool of glue so that it has enough glue to adhere to the cone.
    fabric christmas tree
  2. a. Start gluing the petals on the cone, alternately between round tips and pointy tips. Make sure the whole petal base touches the cone.

    b. Follow the numbers of petala required for each row as instructed in the pattern sheet.

    c. Rotate the stand as you go on. Adjust the position of the petal if needed.
    fabric christmas tree
  3. A close-up view shows the alignment of the petals and the base.
    fabric christmas tree
  4. Top view: after completing the first row.
    fabric christmas tree
  5. Continue to work upward row by row.
    Side view: after completing 5 rows of big petals.
    fabric christmas tree
  6. Side view: after completing another 5 rows of small petals. Reserved the last row for final assembly.
    fabric christmas tree
  7. Top view.
    fabric christmas tree


Make The Pot

  1. Prepare the pot of the Christmas tree while waiting for the glue on the petals to dry or at least semi-dry. You can skip this part if you can find an alternative pot to substitute it.

    Material:
    - Tube 30mm height
    (I used a shuttlecock tube, which is about 65mm diameter)
    - A circle base (size: outer diameter of the tube), which I have glued the floral wire on.
    - A circle top with a small hole at the center. (the photo showed 2, but you need only 1)
    - A small cable tie
    - A small bell
    - A short length of ribbon (about 300mm)
    - A short length of paper ribbon 2.5 times the tube's circumference.
    fabric christmas tree

  2. a. Assemble the pot by gluing the base and the top to the tube.

    b. Cut the paper ribbon into half.

    c. Open/unwrap one of the paper ribbons as shown, wrap it around the pot and glue it.

    d. Glue the unopened paper ribbon at the top edge of the pot.

    e. Cut off extra paper ribbon at the joint.
    fabric christmas tree

  3. a. Tie the cable tie 15mm above the top of the pot.

    b. Apply some glue to secure it.

    c. Tie a ribbon, sew the bell on it, and glue it to the pot.

    d. Apply some glue on top of the cable tie.

    e. Optional: You can embellish the pot by putting some dry wood in it.
    fabric christmas tree

Final Assembly

  1. a. Slowly insert the Christmas tree through the floral wire.

    b. Apply some glue at the tip of the tree.

    c. Continue with the petals attachment for the last row.
    The top half of the petal should touch the floral wire.
    fabric christmas tree

  2. a. Cut off the floral wire 10mm above the tip of the Christmas Tree.

    b. Apply glue and insert a star on it.
    You are ready to decorate your Christmas tree with some beads and bead garland.
    fabric christmas tree

  3. a. Place a circle of bead garland at the 1st row of the Christmas tree.

    b. Glue the first and last beads onto the petals.

    c. Secure it with pins.

    d. Apply some glues on the next few beads to secure the garland better.

    e. Cut some beads from the extra garland that you left and glue it on the petal randomly to decorate it.
    fabric christmas tree

  4. Let the glue dry by leaving it overnight or as long as you can.

    Done!!! Now, you can decorate your table with the fabric Kanzashi Christmas Tree you made for this holy season. 🙂
    fabric christmas tree

fabric kanzashi christmas tree

Notes

Get the full article at https://www.craftpassion.com/how-to-make-fabric-christmas-tree/

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment below or share a photo on Instagram. Don't forget to tag @craftpassion so that we can see it.

Author bio

Joanne Loh

~ Founder and Editor ~
Born into a creative family, Joanne Loh has over 40 years of experience in sewing, crocheting, and knitting. Well-known for her creative approach to DIY crafts, her creations demonstrate a strong dedication to quality and spreading her enthusiasm among the crafting community.
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JoAnne Bell

Sunday 22nd of March 2020

I love your crafts. Just saved 2 Christmas trees and face mask. Thank you JoAnne Bell, US

prabhat

Friday 13th of October 2017

How you fold this green material, i can't understand please help asap. I have to submit my niece school project. Please kindly reply to prbhtvrm2@gmail.com

Craft Passion

Saturday 14th of October 2017

There are 2 videos in the tutorial on how to fold the fabric, you can learn from there.

Jacklyn

Tuesday 23rd of September 2014

I'm confused how tall is the cone in inches thanks

Craft Passion

Thursday 25th of September 2014

You can always use the conversion calculator to convert the unit. Hope this helps.

Rochelle

Sunday 15th of June 2014

Did you use card stock for the cone?? Would cotton or poly/cotton fabric work well -I have spray starch which would make it stiffer. Do you think that would work?? Thanks for a beautiful tree!!!

Craft Passion

Monday 16th of June 2014

Yes, I used card stock for the cone. yes, the stiffen cotton should work too as long as they can stay firm. Hope to see your tree soon :) Happy making!!!

irene hoffman

Saturday 30th of November 2013

I do a lot of crafts and really like the table tree. I would very much like to know what kind of material you used and how much it takes Thanks in advance. you rewaly made a betiful tree

Craft Passion

Saturday 30th of November 2013

I used curtain drape material and it is very cheap, around USD$1-2 per yard (converted from my local currency). It is thick hence it looks fuller :)

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