Optional: Craft Paper Roll To Duplicate Pattern Outline
Freezer Paper (to eliminate transfer of hem tape to iron)
For the Star:
1/4" x 6" Wood Dowel
1/8yd Metallic Cosplay Fabric, Gold
One-sided Fusible Interfacing Flex-Foam (size of star pattern)
Midweight Fusible Interfacing (size of star pattern)
Fiberfill
DIRECTIONS:
To find the downloadable patterns click on the "GET PATTERNS" tab above.
Cutting Fabric:
Cut fabric into separate pieces to cover the styrofoam cones: 1yd (36") for small, 1 1/8yd (40.5") for Medium, 1 1/3yd (48") for Large.
Cut fabric circles to cover top and bottom of cone and wrap around to sides. For 1" top of cone cut a 3" - 4" circle. For bottom of cone cut cone base diameter + 4".
Use tacky glue to adhere the fabric centered on the top and bottom. Cut from the outer edges of the fabric to close to the Styrofoam. Fold and overlap the edges of fabric to the sides of the cone. Let dry.
Prepare Pleated Fabric:
Print patterns for pleated fabric. Tape together sections for larger pieces.
Each pattern provided is a wedge of the full pattern needed for the tree. Duplicate patterns per the list below and tape together along the side edge. Optional: trace around cut pattern to create a full sheet pattern on craft paper.
# 12 cone: 6 x pattern for a total of 24 pleats (34 3/4" partial circle with 8" circle in the center)
# 15 cone: 8 x pattern for a total of 32 pleats (42 1/2" partial circle with 8" circle in the center)
# 18 cone top tier: 4 x pattern for a total of 16 pleats
# 18 cone middle tier, 6 x pattern for a total of 24 pleats
# 18 cone bottom tier, 6 x pattern for a total of 24 pleats
Trace patterns onto fabric. Along the top edge of the pattern, vertical lines are marked for the location of the pleats. Cut a notch into the seam allowance (5/8") at every other vertical line. This will allow the fabric to lay flay when pressed down to hem the top edge of the tree.
Sewing the Pleated Layers:
Hem top and bottom edges, 5/8", with fusible hem tape. Place shiny side of freezer paper over hems when ironing the fusible tape. The paper will catch any tape between the notches on the top edge and any tape that extends beyond the folded hem.
Transfer two rows of dots for the cartridge pleats from original pattern onto the right side of fabric.
Mark the vertical lines along the bottom hem of the tree with a disappearing fabric marking tool, or with pins.
Following the dots marked, hand sew 2 parallel lines of running stitches along the top edge of the tree using button thread. Start and end with your thread tail on the right side of the fabric. Knot thread close to the fabric on one end and leave a long tail for gathering pleats together on either end of the stitching.
Connect tree into a circle by matching the raw sides edges of fabric right sides together. Sew a seam starting at the bottom and stopping 1/2" below the pleat stitching. Or use fabric glue to glue seam together. Let dry.
Constructing the Star:
Use sandpaper or a pencil sharpener to file down one end to a dull point. This will help the dowel lay flat inside the star. Paint the dowel with gold paint. Set aside to dry.
Determine the size of star from the two template options. No seam allowance is included in the templates.
Transfer the star pattern to the smooth side of the Flex - Foam Interfacing. Rough cut about 1/4" outside the star pattern.
Cut two pieces of fabric and one piece of midweight Interfacing to match or be slightly larger than the piece of Flex - Foam.
Fuse interfacing to the wrong side of one piece of fabric and Flex-Foam to the other.
Match fabric right sides together. Sew directly over the outline of the star leaving the area indicated on the pattern open to turn right sides out.
Trim edges close to the stitching leaving the edge by the opening about 1/4" from the star outline. Clip a notch straight into the inner corner between star points. This will allow the fabric to turn inward while maintaining the star shape.
Turn star right side out. Use a blunt point such as a pencil or your down to gently poke each point out. Turn raw edges in at the opening, following the shape of the star.
Insert the dowel, blunt end first, into the top point of the star. Optional: to hold the dowel straight, use a small amount of tacky glue to glue the dowel to the Flex- Foam side of the star.
Stuff the star with fiber fill. Whip stitch the openings on either side of the dowel closed. Stitches should be as close to dowel as possible to hold the star upright on the dowel.
Mark the center of the top of the cone. Use a craft knife to pierce a small slit through the fabric.
Press the dowel through the center of the cone, keeping the dowel vertical and straight.
Attaching The Pleats to The Cone (Single Layer):
Mark quarters of the cones on the top and bottom with pins placed straight into the foam.
Fold the fabric in half twice to find the quarter marks at the top and bottom. Mark top and bottom with pins.
Pin top edge of the fabric to the cone, right sides out, matching quarter marks.
Pull the tail ends of the lower stitching to tighten the pleats around the cone. Knot ends together. Repeat for the top line of stitching.
Adjust pleats so they are evenly spaced around the cone, using the quarter marks as a guide.
Attach the pleated fabric to the cone using small pins. Insert the pins at a sharp angle in between every other pleat. Pin should enter all the way into the cone without hitting the dowel.
Conceal the knotted ends of the top stitching by tucking the ends behind the fabric and applying a small bead of fabric adhesive between the first and last folds of pleats (above the previously glued seam). Fabric clip together until dry.
Hand press the fold of each of the pleats from top to bottom for a crisp pleat. Use the markings from before as a guide if needed.
To hold the pleats at the bottom edge, apply a small dot of fabric glue in between the pleats. Hold together with a fabric clip while glue dries.
Attaching The Pleats to The Cone (Tiered Tree):
Mark a horizontal line 7 1/2" up from the bottom of the cone for the bottom tier and 4 3/4" down from the top edge of the cone for the middle tier. The top tier will be attached at the top of the cone.
Attach each tier to the cone using the method described above for the single layer trees. Start at the bottom tier and work your way up.