So, today you are in luck, I’m sharing my latest fleece cone Christmas tree tutorial with you. As you know, I’m obsessed with anything felt related. Yup, I have quite a few felt crafts, like my felt anemone wreath or my adorable felt acorn branch post.
So, when I spied these adorable felt trees over on Pinterest, I immediately knew that I had to make them. After a little bit of planning, my husband and I came up with the best way to create these beautiful small trees.
Check out My Fleece Cone Christmas Tree Tutorial
So, I guess these adorable trees sold in the Land of Nod stores a couple of years ago. Don’t they look like something Land of Nod would carry? They are such whimsical trees. I’m kind of glad they aren’t in the stores this season since I would be tempted to buy one, and I’m sure they wouldn’t be cheap. Well, I’m happy to say that my version only cost a couple of dollars which is a good thing.
How Do You Make a Paper Cone?
Well, it is quite easy. I know there is one version where you cut out a circle and then take a triangle out of it, but my brain instantly shut off when I read these instructions. So, I made a more straightforward way to make a cone. Start in the upper corner of the paper and then with the other end just bring it over and overlap. The bottom comes out uneven but with a few snips of the scissors and you have a cone. I figured out that each cone cost about a dollar for the sheet of paper. I’m always about saving money.
Why Does This Project Use Fleece Instead of Felt?
Ok, when I visited the fabric store, there were very few color choices in the felt section. And I found that there were more colors to choose from in the fleece section. And so it was a no-brainer to go with fleece. Also, the price was perfect since it was on sale for 50% off the regular price. Since this project only uses about a quarter of a yard this project came to just a couple of dollars. Also, I feel the fleece looks and feels a lot like felt.
Can You Make Different Size Fleece Trees?
You totally could make any size you like. Just adjust the triangle size that you use for the trees. I’m hoping to make a huge one for our living room. I guess another thing to consider if you make it larger is that your base needs to be wide enough to support the tree. You want to make sure it doesn’t tip over.
How Much Does This Project Cost?
So, I bought most of the items in bulk so it is a tiny bit difficult to estimate. But, I would say that it cost under $10. If you buy the fleece on sale then the project is pretty cheap.
How Long Does It Take to Make One Tree?
I would venture to say it takes about two hours or less. I cut my felt pieces first and then the next day, I put the tree together. I have a faster method if you scroll down.
Don’t Make the Stand
Yes, skip the stand and let your fleece Christmas tree cone just sit right on the table. If you don’t have a drill or saw, this might be a better solution for you. I feel that the stand and wooden dowel make it charming, but it does make the project a bit more complicated.
Use a Premade Cone
So, if you don’t want to make a cone, you can skip this and buy a premade cone, I’ll list the link in the supplies. Buying your cone will save you a tiny bit of time as well. And it is even better if you order it off Amazon.
*the following post contains affiliate links
Fleece Cone Christmas Tree Tutorial
SUPPLIES
1 – 100 lb Bristol Board paper. The size is 14 in x 17 in (use one for each tree)
Cone – If you want to buy a pre-made cone
1/4 – 1/2 yard of fleece material ( I bought mine at Joann Fabric Store on sale)
1 Pair of scissors (preferably sewing scissors)
Paper template for the tree bough. Make a triangle out to cardstock.
1 – 23 in, 7/16 inch thick wooden dowel ( I cut mine to 22 inches long)
Drill (I used a 7/16″ drill bit to match my dowel size)
Pencil
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Make Strips of Fleece
When cutting, I found it best to cut a double thick strip of fleece that is the width (about 2 3/4″) of the triangle. See the above photo for example.
2. Cut Out All Your Fleece Tree Boughs
It turns out that you’ll need approximately 100 per tree.
3. How to Make a Paper Cone
I found the best way is to work from one corner and wrap the paper over to the back side. So, to secure your cone in place use tape along the edges.
4. Trim the Bottom of the Cone
You will have uneven edges, so you will need to trim them. Now, this can be a bit tricky. When you place your paper cone on a flat surface, make sure it isn’t wobbly and unbalanced. If your cone teeters, trim the high edge. Keep cutting until the bottom of the cone is even, and your tree stands straight up and doesn’t tilt to one side.
5. Make the Bottom of the Tree
Now Trace the Bottom Circle on Another Sheet of Cardstock Paper. Cut out the circle and make little notches around it like shown in the above photo. These notches you will glue to the outside bottom section of your fleece cone Christmas tree.
6. Trace the Dowel in the Middle of the Bottom Paper
Trace the outside of the dowel in the middle and then cut out with a box cutter. I found the middle of the circle by folding the circle twice in different directions, and this finds the middle where the folds intersect. You can also measure from side to side and place an x in the middle. This hole will support your dowel in the middle of the tree.
7. Cut your Dowel to Length
The length includes placing your dowel up inside your tree and measuring where you want it on your wooden base. Mine was about 22 inches long.
8. Drill a Hole in Your Wooden Base
Now, with your 7/16″ drill bit make a hole in the middle of your wooden base. Make sure to hold your drill perpendicular to the base since you don’t want the tree trunk to be crooked. Sand the hole and base if needed.
9. Attach Hot Glue to the Top of the Dowel
Once you attach the glue to the top of the dowel, place it inside in the very tip-top of the tree. Make sure to have it straight and not crooked. You will want to hold the dowel in place until the glue is set.
10. Now Thread the Dowel Through the Round Circle
This will stabilize the dowel. Center the dowel before the glue at the top of the tree sets.
11. Glue the Bottom Circle to the Tree
Make sure to glue the notches to the outside of the base of the tree.
12. Place a Small Amount of Wood Glue in the Hole on your Base
Set your bottom of your dowel into the drilled hole. Make sure to straighten the tree and hold in place while the glue sets.
13. Now Attach your Felt
Starting at the bottom of the tree, place a layer of your triangle felt pieces. I overlapped each piece about 1/4 inch. When starting the second row place your first piece so that the tip lands in the middle of the two lower pieces. This is key in making a pattern. I found I had to focus a tiny bit on the process otherwise my pattern got messed up.
14. Finish Off the Top
Use your last piece of felt and just place it on the top and wrap the end around and glue them. I tried all kinds of ways to top it and this was the best. You can make sure you show off your nicest side and finish the last piece so the ends are facing the back of your tree. Now isn’t this the cutest fleece cone Christmas tree?
I’m Teaching This Project in a Class at Civic Kitchen
Here is a little side note, if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, then you won’t want to miss out on a class that I’m teaching. So, in December I’m going to be demonstrating how to make my fleece cone Christmas tree at the baking school called Civic Kitchen. The class will include how to make a yummy Pavlova with sugared fruit and my table decor with my fleece cone Christmas tree spread.
I would love to see some of you at the class, wouldn’t that be a hoot?!
Thanks so much for joining me today and I hope you liked my fleece cone Christmas tree project. These will add so much character and beauty to your home, and I’m confident you will love them. If you need inspiration for Christmas decor, check out my holiday home tour from last year. Also, make sure to visit some of the others on this wonderful Seasonal Simplicity Craft Tour, hosted by Krista from the Happy Housie.
Cheers,
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Holliday Johnson says
Holy cow! These are soooo cute! And your table setting just tops it all off! Love everything!
Toni says
Oh my gosh friend I love these 😍
Valerie says
These fleece trees are beautiful. I was just wondering if one could make the base from a styrofoam cone instead of the paper. What do you think?
happyhappynester says
Hi Valerie,
Yes, you can use styrofoam as well. I would be careful that the hot glue doesn’t melt the styrofoam. But, styrofoam is probably is easier. Just insert your dowel into it, and no need to make a fancy paper bottom. Great idea!
Nancy says
What are the dimensions of the fleece triangle?
happyhappynester says
Hi Nancy,
The height of the triangle is 2 3/4″ from the base. The length of the base is 2 1/2″. If you make your triangle around these measurements, you should be good.
Nancy says
I have made three of these trees. They are very pretty. The fleece is easy to work with. One thing I did that made the tree more solid. I got circle styrofoam at the Dollar Tree. They come in a package of 2. I traced the base of the paper cone and then used a box cutter to cut it out and drilled a hole in the center. I threaded the styrofoam on the dowel and pushed it to the tree base. I used hot glue on the tip of the dowel and pushed the paper cone onto the glue. I used E600 glue around the styrofoam and pushed it up into the base of the cone . Made it more stable and sturdy. Thanks for the idea. These trees will be a beautiful centerpiece.