This is the link to the you tube tutorial How to applique | Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners https://youtu.be/ZtdGze6Q2fc?si=VHImmejKfSYVCwyg
Cassie Cartmell – Faodail Creation
Table of Contents
If you love creating beautiful handmade Christmas decorations, this Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern is a wonderful project to add to your holiday sewing collection. This sparkling Christmas tree applique combines layered fabric shapes, decorative thread sketching, and hot fix crystals to create a unique piece of Christmas fabric art.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to use the Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern to create a beautiful wall hanging that sparkles and shines. You can download the free Christmas tree applique pattern directly from the Faodail Creation blog and follow along with the instructions.
As a Baby Lock Educator, I love sharing practical sewing techniques that encourage creativity and help sewists experiment with their sewing machines. This Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern is a fantastic opportunity to explore applique, free-motion stitching, and decorative embellishments.
The best part? You don’t have to make a wall hanging. You can use this Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern on cushion covers, tote bags, aprons, table decorations, or any fabric project that needs a little Christmas sparkle.
Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern Supplies
Before beginning your Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern, gather everything you need.
Materials for a Christmas Tree Applique Wall Hanging
For my wall hanging, I used the following materials:
Below I have included my Amazon Affiliate links, if you decide to purchase from one of these links I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!
Faodail Creation Amazon Store Front https://www.amazon.com/shop/faodailcreation
- Free Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern from Faodail Creation
- Steam-a-Seam double-sided fusible adhesive https://link.amazon/B055U6BcX
- Assorted fabrics for the Christmas tree applique
- 12 x 12-inch canvas https://link.amazon/B08EIPaLx
- 11 x 11-inch piece of quilting batting https://link.amazon/B0eIJhWtk
- 16 x 16-inch piece of background fabric
- Teflon sheet and applique pressing sheet https://link.amazon/B06VRMXSG
- Iron https://link.amazon/B07iHpBLr
- Sewing machine
- Black embroidery thread https://link.amazon/B04oD9SfN
- Black bobbin thread
- 90/14 Microtex needle https://link.amazon/B0dnBern9
- Quilting pins https://link.amazon/B09yiNwoV
- Friction pen https://link.amazon/B0clA5ClF
- Hot fix crystal applicator https://link.amazon/B07FTf3v2
- Glue stick https://link.amazon/B0gB85QYW
- Stapler for mounting the fabric onto canvas https://link.amazon/B0hzeKQeZ
You can use whatever fabric colours you prefer for your Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern. Traditional green fabrics look wonderful, but don’t be afraid to experiment with unusual colours, prints, and combinations.
Choosing Fabric for Christmas Tree Applique
I generally prefer using plain fabrics when creating applique because the decorative stitching and shapes become easier to see.
However, you can absolutely use patterned fabrics if you want your Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern to have a more playful appearance.
Consider using:
- Green fabrics for the Christmas tree
- Yellow or gold fabric for the star
- Brown fabric for the tree trunk
- Contrasting fabric for the tree stand
- Sparkling crystals for additional embellishment
The possibilities are endless!
Step 1: Download and Prepare Your Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern
The first step is downloading your Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern from the Faodail Creation blog.
The free pattern includes the individual applique pieces and their dimensions. I like having all my applique pieces prepared and precut before I start sewing because it makes the entire project much easier to manage.
The numbered pattern pieces correspond to the different sections of the Christmas tree.
Organize Your Christmas Tree Applique Pattern Pieces
Before tracing anything, familiarize yourself with the pattern.
The different sections include:
- The Christmas tree star
- The top section of the Christmas tree
- The middle section of the Christmas tree
- The bottom section of the Christmas tree
- The tree trunk
- The tree stand
Depending on your pattern layout, some sections may be divided differently.
Having everything numbered makes it much easier to understand which pieces overlap and which pieces need to be positioned underneath other sections.
This is particularly helpful when working with a layered Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern.
Step 2: Trace the Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern onto Steam-a-Seam
For this Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern, I prefer using Steam-a-Seam.
Steam-a-Seam is a double-sided fusible adhesive that allows you to stick applique pieces together before transferring them onto your background fabric.
Unlike some other fusible adhesives, it has a repositionable sticky surface that makes arranging applique pieces particularly convenient.
Understanding Steam-a-Seam
Steam-a-Seam has two sides:
- A gridded paper side
- A blank paper side
When tracing your Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern, pay attention to which side you are drawing on.
The adhesive needs to be applied to the reverse side of your fabric.
If you are struggling to see your pattern through the paper, you can use a light box or hold the pattern against a window.
Trace the Christmas Tree Star
Start by tracing the star from your Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern.
Trace around the shape, using the pattern as your guide.
You don’t need to cut directly along the traced lines yet.
Instead, cut around the star shape, leaving a little extra space around the outline.
This makes the next steps easier.
Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern – Trace the Christmas Tree Sections
Next, trace the remaining Christmas tree sections.
When tracing the layered pieces, remember that some sections need to extend beyond the edges of other pieces.
For example, the upper Christmas tree section should extend slightly beyond the star area.
The middle section should extend beneath the upper section.
The bottom section should extend beneath the middle section.
The tree trunk should extend into the bottom of the tree so that the pieces can overlap.
This overlapping construction is important when creating a layered Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern.
You can number your traced pieces to make assembling everything easier.
Step 3: Fuse the Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern Pieces to Fabric
Now it’s time to transfer your traced Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern pieces onto your chosen fabrics.
Apply Steam-a-Seam to the Reverse of Your Fabric
Place each traced applique piece onto the reverse side of the fabric.
Remember that the Steam-a-Seam adhesive needs to attach to the wrong side of your fabric.
Carefully peel away the paper backing.
Sometimes the adhesive sticks to the gridded side instead of the blank side.
If this happens, gently rub the adhesive with your finger and transfer it onto the side you need.
Once the adhesive is positioned correctly, press it onto your fabric.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for pressing time and temperature.
Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern – Allow the Adhesive to Cool
This is an important part of preparing your Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern.
Allow the adhesive to cool completely before cutting your applique shapes.
Cooling allows the adhesive to bond properly to the fabric.
Once everything has cooled, cut carefully along the traced lines.
Repeat this process for all your Christmas tree applique pieces.
When you have finished, you should have all the individual fabric shapes ready to assemble.
Step 4: Assemble Your Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern
This is one of my favourite parts of the project!
Now we can begin building the Christmas tree and arranging all the pieces into their final positions.
Use a Light Box to Arrange the Applique
I like using a silicone applique mat and a light box when assembling my Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern.
A light box makes it much easier to see where the different applique pieces belong.
You can also use an applique pressing sheet or Teflon sheet to help protect your work surface.
Start by peeling back the paper backing from the adhesive on each applique piece.
The exposed adhesive will allow you to position the fabric shapes onto your pressing sheet.
Arrange the Christmas Tree Layers
Begin assembling the tree.
Place the bottom Christmas tree section first.
Next, add the middle section, making sure it overlaps the bottom section.
Continue with the upper section.
Finally, position the star at the top.
The tree trunk needs to sit underneath the bottom section of the tree.
The tree stand can then be positioned underneath the trunk.
Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern – Check the Placement
Before permanently pressing everything together, take a moment to check your Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern.
Make sure:
- The tree sections overlap correctly.
- The star is positioned where you want it.
- The trunk is underneath the tree.
- The tree stand is correctly aligned.
- Everything looks balanced.
You can still adjust the pieces before pressing them permanently.
Once you are happy with the arrangement, carefully press everything together according to the adhesive instructions.
Your Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern should now become one complete applique design.
Because the adhesive was applied to a pressing sheet, the finished applique can be lifted away as one piece.
The adhesive remains on the back, ready for transferring onto your background fabric.
Step 5: Position the Christmas Tree Applique on Your Background Fabric
Now we are ready to position the Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern onto the fabric for your wall hanging.
If you’re making a tote bag, apron, cushion cover, or another project, simply substitute your chosen background fabric.
Find the Centre of Your Fabric
For my wall hanging, I’m using a 16 x 16-inch piece of background fabric.
Fold the fabric in half.
Fold it in half again.
This creates a crosshatch at the centre of the fabric.
Using a friction pen, lightly mark the centre point.
A friction pen is particularly useful because the markings can be removed with heat.
Layer Your Fabric and Batting
Place your 11 x 11-inch quilting batting onto your work surface.
Lay your background fabric over the batting.
Position the Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern in the centre of your background fabric.
Use the centre marking to help align the applique.
Once everything is positioned correctly, press the applique onto the fabric using your iron.
Follow the adhesive instructions to ensure everything is securely attached.
Secure the Layers
Use quilting pins to secure the background fabric to the batting.
This will help prevent the layers from shifting while you sew.
Your Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern is now ready for decorative stitching.
Step 6: Decoratively Stitch Your Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern
For my Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern, I’m using a technique called free-motion thread sketching.
This is one of my favourite ways to add personality and texture to applique projects.
You don’t have to use thread sketching, though.
You can use a blanket stitch, satin stitch, zigzag stitch, or even a simple straight stitch around the applique shapes.
Set Up Your Sewing Machine for Thread Sketching
For this tutorial, I’m using my Baby Lock sewing and embroidery machine.
My machine setup includes:
- Black embroidery thread in the upper thread
- Black embroidery thread in the bobbin
- 90/14 Microtex needle
- Feed dogs lowered
- Free-motion sewing setup
The feed dogs are lowered so they no longer move the fabric automatically.
Instead, you control the direction and movement of the fabric with your hands.
Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern – How to Free-Motion Thread Sketch
Free-motion thread sketching can seem intimidating at first, but it’s actually a wonderfully creative technique.
Here are my tips for getting started.
1. Lower the Feed Dogs
Lower the feed dogs on your sewing machine.
This allows you to move the fabric freely in any direction.
2. Position Your Hands
Keep your hands positioned on either side of the fabric.
You don’t need to bunch the fabric up.
Instead, gently guide it through the machine.
3. Start Slowly
Press the foot pedal and begin moving the fabric.
Try moving forward first.
Once you feel comfortable, experiment with moving sideways and diagonally.
4. Match Your Movement to the Needle Speed
This is one of the most important things to understand when learning free-motion stitching.
The speed at which you move the fabric needs to work with the speed of your needle.
If you move the fabric too quickly, your stitches may become longer.
If you move too slowly, your stitches may become very small.
Experiment with different speeds until you find what feels comfortable.
5. Stitch Around the Applique
For my Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern, I like to stitch around the applique several times.
I deliberately use a loose, messy thread sketching style.
The stitching doesn’t need to be perfectly straight.
In fact, I think the slightly scruffy appearance makes the applique look more interesting!
You can stitch inside the applique shapes, outside the edges, or across the shapes.
There really isn’t a right or wrong way to do this.
6. Turn the Fabric When Needed
If you’re uncomfortable moving the fabric in a particular direction, simply turn it.
You can reposition the fabric whenever you need to.
Take your time around corners and try to maintain a consistent movement.
7. Don’t Overthink Your Stitching
One of my favourite things about free-motion thread sketching is that imperfections add character.
When you try to make everything absolutely perfect, the stitching can lose some of its personality.
For this Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern, I love the slightly messy decorative stitching.
It gives the Christmas tree a whimsical, handmade appearance.
Step 7: Add Sparkle and Mount Your Christmas Tree Applique Wall Hanging
We can’t have a Christmas tree without a little sparkle!
For the finishing touches on my Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern, I’m using hot fix crystals.
Add Hot Fix Crystals to Your Christmas Tree Applique
Hot fix crystals are wonderful for adding sparkle to sewing projects.
They have an adhesive backing that can be activated using a hot fix crystal applicator.
Choose where you want your crystals to appear.
You might add them:
- Around the Christmas tree branches
- Near the star
- Along the decorative stitching
- Throughout the tree for a sparkling effect
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for applying your crystals.
Allow everything to cool before handling your finished applique.
The crystals add a beautiful finishing touch to this Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern.
Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern – Mount Your Christmas Tree Applique Wall Hanging onto Canvas
To finish my wall hanging, I’m mounting the fabric onto a 12 x 12-inch canvas.
I use a regular glue stick to help hold the fabric in place while stapling.
Apply a little glue to the back of the canvas.
Carefully position your fabric over the canvas.
Make sure the Christmas tree applique is centred and the fabric is smooth.
Fold the fabric around the canvas edges.
Use a stapler to secure the fabric to the back of the frame.
Work around the edges, keeping the fabric reasonably taut.
You don’t want wrinkles or loose areas showing on the front.
If you would like more detailed instructions, I have a separate tutorial explaining how to mount fabric onto canvas.
That tutorial is a helpful companion to this Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern.
Creative Ways to Use This Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern
One of the wonderful things about applique is how versatile it can be.
You don’t have to make a wall hanging.
This Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern can be adapted for many different Christmas sewing projects.
Christmas Cushion Cover
Create a festive cushion cover using your Christmas tree applique.
Add decorative stitching and sparkling crystals for a beautiful Christmas decoration.
Christmas Tote Bag
Use the Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern on a tote bag.
This would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who enjoys Christmas decorations.
Christmas Apron
Add the applique to a Christmas apron.
Choose coordinating fabrics and embellishments to create a festive sewing project.
Christmas Fabric Art
Use your Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern to create decorative fabric art.
Experiment with different fabrics, thread colours, and embellishments.
The possibilities are endless when you start experimenting with applique.
Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern Troubleshooting Tips
Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern – Why Is My Steam-a-Seam Not Sticking?
Make sure you’re applying the adhesive to the correct side of your fabric.
Check that you’re following the manufacturer’s pressing instructions.
Allow the adhesive to cool before cutting or repositioning your applique.
Why Are My Free-Motion Stitches Uneven?
Uneven stitches are usually caused by inconsistent fabric movement.
Try matching your fabric movement to the speed of your needle.
Practice on a scrap piece of fabric before working on your Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern.
Can I Use a Different Sewing Machine?
Absolutely!
You don’t need a Baby Lock machine to make this Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern.
Any sewing machine capable of free-motion stitching can be used.
You can also use conventional applique stitches if you prefer.
Download Your Free Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern
If you would like to make this Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern, you can download the free pattern directly from the Faodail Creation blog.
The pattern includes the individual applique pieces and their dimensions to help you prepare your fabric.
This Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern is a wonderful opportunity to experiment with applique, decorative stitching, and embellishments.
Whether you’re creating a wall hanging, cushion cover, tote bag, or another Christmas project, I hope this tutorial inspires you to get creative with your sewing machine.
Final Thoughts on This Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern
I absolutely love how this Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern turned out.
The combination of layered fabrics, decorative thread sketching, and sparkling crystals creates a beautiful Christmas decoration with plenty of personality.
Remember, applique doesn’t have to be perfect.
Experiment with different fabrics, stitches, and embellishments to make your Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern uniquely yours.
If you’ve enjoyed this tutorial, don’t forget to explore more sewing, quilting, and embroidery tutorials here at Faodail Creation.
You can also join the Faodail Creation Sewing, Quilting & Embroidery Facebook group to share your projects, ask questions, and connect with other creative sewists.
I’d love to know in the comments:
Do you enjoy making applique projects, and how do you like to secure your applique to your fabric?
I personally love free-motion thread sketching, but I’d love to hear what techniques you enjoy using.
Happy sewing, and I’ll see you in the next tutorial!
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Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern
Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern is a fun way to explore Applique.
If you enjoyed Christmas Tree Applique Sewing Pattern, you might also like FREE Sunflower Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners you can also try Daisy Lap Quilt to learn more Applique using your sewing machine.
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