Nutcracker Tree Skirt Sew-Along, Week One: Plan, Prepare and Cut

Week One

Welcome to Week One! Lay out your Nutcracker Tradition tree skirt panel and enjoy the story circling around it. The large round tree skirt is the star, and along the edge, 11 little ornaments are waiting to be made.

The full Nutcracker Tree Skirt laid out flat

How to Prepare a Tree Skirt Panel

This week is all about getting ready. We cut out the tree skirt, piece the backing, layer and baste the three layers, and cut out the ornaments so they are ready to embellish next week.

Illustration of the full Nutcracker Tree Skirt panel

Cut Out the Tree Skirt with a Little Extra Room

Cut about 1⁄4" outside the printed edge. Leave that extra room for now, and you will trim precisely along the printed edge after quilting in Week Three.

Illustration of the tree skirt cut out from the panel

How to Layer and Baste a Tree Skirt

Piece your backing to at least 62" × 62". We used Nutcracker Toss in Pine, which coordinates beautifully with the panel. Lay the backing right side down, smooth the batting on top, then place the tree skirt right side up. Baste with your favorite method: pins, basting spray or hand basting.

Illustration of the tree skirt layered on batting and backing

Nutcracker Tradition fabric stack and threads

Cut Out the 11 Fabric Ornaments

Cut the ornaments along the dotted lines and set them aside with your ornament backing fabric. Next week they become little keepsakes for your tree.

Illustration of the 11 Nutcracker ornament characters cut out

Jennifer's tip

Leave that little bit of extra room around the tree skirt. It gives you space to quilt right to the edge, and you will trim it perfectly in Week Three.