Beginner’s Christmas Tree Skirt: Snowman & Christmas Tree Blocks Made Easy

There’s nothing like decking out your Christmas tree with something handmade—especially when it’s easy enough for any quilter to tackle. If you dream of cozy snowmen, twinkling Christmas trees, and a bit of joyful holiday sewing, you’re in the right place! This project features a playful, cartoonish snowman and Christmas tree block design, made beginner-friendly, and it’s destined to become your family’s new favorite tree skirt.

Let’s Make Holiday Magic

A homemade Christmas tree skirt doesn’t just dress up your tree—it tells a story. Each year when you pull it out, you’ll remember the fun of making it (last-minute cocoa break included).

Our design keeps things simple:

• Alternating snowman and Christmas tree blocks
• Basic shapes, bold colors, and a forgiving layout
• Festive reds, deep greens, snowy whites, and just a sprinkle of gold or silver for sparkle

This skirt is adjustable for any tree size, and adaptable for new stitchers, whether you’ve got a machine humming or prefer hand-sewing during a holiday movie marathon.

Why Choose Block-Based Tree Skirts?

Most tree skirts are just circles of fabric, but using easy quilt blocks adds instant charm (and lets you play with color and personality). Alternating snowmen and trees means you get to repeat simple steps, keep construction stress-free, and personalize each block—maybe give each snowman a unique scarf or hat!

Plus, block-based designs are easy to assemble and finish in a weekend (even if you’ve never quilted before).

What You’ll Need

You’ll find most (if not all!) of these supplies and adorable holiday fabrics at Countryside Quilts. Here’s your starter checklist:

• Fat quarters or fabric scraps:

  • Snowman Bodies: Solid white, off-white, or gentle blue
  • Snowman Features: Orange for noses, black for eyes/buttons, colored scraps for scarves/hats
  • Christmas Trees: Greens in a few festive prints, brown for trunks
  • Background & Borders: Traditional red, green, or themed prints
  • Accent Fabric: Gold, silver, or extra red/green for sashing and binding

• Batting (for softness and weight)

• Backing fabric (pre-washed cotton, or cozy flannel)

• Fusible web (for easy applique—try HeatnBond or Steam-a-Seam)

• Basic sewing notions:

  • Rotary cutter, ruler, mat
  • Fabric scissors
  • Pins or fabric clips
  • Marking pencil or pen
  • Sewing machine (or a strong hand-sewing needle)
  • Thread (coordinating or contrasting for fun!)

• Fasteners for closure: Ties, ribbons, or hook-and-loop (Velcro) strips

• Optional: Buttons, rickrack, pom-poms, or felt embellishments for extra cheer

Planning Your Tree Skirt

Size Matters:
A classic tree skirt size ranges from 36" to 54" in diameter, but beginners might enjoy a smaller, 22"–36" skirt for easier handling and a quick finish. Just make sure it’s slightly larger than your tree’s bottom branches.

Block Layout:
This tree skirt uses alternating blocks arranged in a circular fashion. For a small skirt, plan on 8–10 blocks; for larger ones, up to 16 blocks will make a full circle. The exact number will depend on your block size and preferred fullness.

• Recommended Block Size: 6" or 8" finished
  (You can adjust to your needs—smaller blocks = more blocks = more detail)

Skirt Opening:
You’ll include a slit from the outer edge to the center, and a small circle in the middle to fit around your tree trunk. This makes the skirt easy to wrap and remove.

Cartoonish Snowman & Tree Block: How-To

No fussy piecing or tiny curves—these blocks keep the shapes simple and fun!

1. Snowman Block

• Cut a background square (6.5" or 8.5" to allow for seam allowances)
• Create snowman bodies: Cut circles (use bowls or cups as templates) from white fabric—one larger (body), one smaller (head)
• Fuse in place: Use fusible web to stick the snowman pieces onto your background
• Add features:
  • Tiny triangle of orange for nose
  • Black dots or small circles for eyes and buttons
  • Scarf and hat from bright scraps
• Stitch down: Use a zigzag, blanket, or straight stitch around the edges for a playful, “sketched” look

2. Christmas Tree Block

• Cut a background square (match your snowman block size)
• Tree shape: Cut 2–3 stacked green triangles (fabric scraps) for the tree
• Trunk: Small brown rectangle or triangle at bottom
• Fuse in place: Arrange the tree on the background, fuse
• Decorate: Add yellow star, red “ornaments” (fabric dots or buttons), or use ricrac for garland
• Applique stitch around all shapes

Each block can be unique—the more whimsical your fabric and features, the better!

Assembling the Skirt

1. Arrange Your Blocks

   • Alternate snowman and tree blocks in a long strip
   • Stitch together with 1/4" seam allowances
   • Press seams open or to one side

2. Form the Circle

   • Sew the two ends together, but leave one seam open (for the skirt’s back opening)
   • Lay your ring of blocks onto a large background fabric if you want a solid, seamless look, or continue piecing all the way

3. Center Circle

   • Mark and cut a hole in the center (typically 3.5"–5" diameter)
   • Cut a straight line from outer edge to center for opening

4. Make the Quilt Sandwich

   • Layer quilt top, batting, and backing, smoothing all layers
   • Pin or baste generously

5. Quilt As Desired

   • Simple straight line or echo quilting works well
   • Stitch “in the ditch” for faster finish

6. Finishing Edges

   • Trim all layers even
   • Bind edges with double-fold bias tape or a 2.5" strip of festive fabric—go slow on the curves!

7. Fasten

   • Add ribbons, ties, or Velcro along the back opening for easy closure

Quick Tips for Finishing & Personalizing

• Add Names or the Year: Applique a tag or use embroidery for that personalized touch
• Fussy Cut FABRIC: Use holiday prints—position motifs in blocks for extra fun
• Don’t Sweat Perfection: Handmade = heartmade. Crooked smiles give snowmen charisma!
• Time Saver: Use precuts for blocks, and fusible web for speedy applique (check out our precuts for the impatient stitcher)
• Upcycle: Old shirts, pajamas, or scrap felt make fabulous accessories for your blocks

Make It Merry—Your Way!

That’s it—the beginner’s, stress-free way to a show-stopping Christmas tree skirt you’ll treasure for years. Whether this is your very first quilted project or just a speedy seasonal add-on, you’re bringing a little extra cheer to your home (and maybe creating a tradition or two in the process).

Ready to gather your supplies? Swing by Countryside Quilts for the friendliest advice, colorful fabrics, and all the inspiration you’ll need to get started.

Tag us in your finished tree skirt photos—we love to see how every snowman and tree turns out! Happy quilting and happy holidays from all of us at Countryside Quilts.