The Pressure of Sewing for Others
One thing I avoid at all costs: sewing on request. I find it terrifying! The pressure to create something perfect that the recipient will love—and the fear of messing it up—just drains all the joy from the process for me. Whenever someone asks me to sew something for them, my answer is always a polite but firm “No, thank you.” Am I the only one who feels this way?
Sewing for Fun, Not for Orders
I love making things for fun and then gifting them to people—because to me, making without obligation is a completely different experience. But taking requests? Nope. That’s just not me. I’m not a short-order sewist—ha!
However, my cousin Jen has been asking for years. She’s been such a kind supporter of my business that I decided it was time to get over my own hang-ups and finally make something special for her. So, I agreed to create a tree skirt for her Christmas decorations.
Using the Tree Shine Pattern for a Special Project
When my friend Christine released her Tree Shine quilt pattern recently, I knew it would be the perfect starting point for Jen’s tree skirt. Christine’s pattern debuted last week, and her cover quilt featuresBessie Pearl binding! We worked together to find the perfect shade of red to match her quilt’s backing. And let me tell you—matching reds can drive you nuts! Butthis particular red is a classic holiday hue that will work beautifully for all kinds of seasonal projects.
If you're in a hurry this holiday season, pre-made binding is a real game-changer. It saves time and ensures a neat finish, especially when you’re rushing to complete those last-minute holiday gifts!
About the Tree Shine Quilt Pattern
The Tree Shine pattern offers multiple size options, from baby quilts to throw sizes. But don’t feel limited—one block could easily be turned into a festive pillow or stocking. Whether you use fat quarters or yardage, this is a versatile pattern that’s great for holiday sewing. Some quilt shops are even offering Tree Shine kits—check out theModernCharmStitchery Blog for more details!
My Plan: A Modern, Scrappy Holiday Tree Skirt
For my version, I’m planning to stick with modern holiday colors—but I might add some scrappy fabrics for a bit of variety. My goal is to use as much fabric from my stash as possible and only purchase what I absolutely need.
I’ll make the throw-size version of the quilt and then lay my old tree skirt over the top to cut it down to fit. For the finish, I’ll use bias binding so the edges curve smoothly—and voilà!
No stress, right?
