Christmas Tree fabric collage tutorial - easy no-sew project

This tutorial explains how to create a charming DIY Christmas decoration with a decorated tree, surrounded by gifts and other festive elements, using our Christmas Tree collage kit. This kit was created in collaboration between FibraCreativa and quilter and teacher extraordinaire Jacquilne Bahí.

The finished Christmas decoration measures approximately 30x42 cm.

The kit is available in 2 versions: with inscriptions in French (Joyeux Noël) or English (Merry Christmas), or with inscriptions in Spanish (Feliz Navidad) and Catalan (Bon Nadal). The latter version contains a drawing of the typical "tío de Nadal" from Christmas in Catalonia, where the FibraCreativa Studio is located.

This project can be done in several ways, according to your taste and skills:

1. Christmas decoration no-sew fabric collage: this fun creative project consists of cutting and gluing on a printed fabric background the fabric pieces backed with fusible web of the green foliage of the tree, then adding decorations, Christmas gifts, etc. Children will enjoy creating an image to their liking. Just iron and then place your collage in a nice frame, as in the photo above. No sewing required.
2. Christmas Tree patchwork applique mini-quilt: after making the raw-edge applique as previously, quilters will enjoy creating a mini quilt. Quilt as you wish this small piece.
3. Embroidered Christmas decoration: once the collage is done as in in step 1, embroiderery fans can embellish their creation by adding embroidered elements to their taste.

Easy "Merry Christmas" no-sew fabric collage with tree and ornaments

Level: beginner

This easy and fun fabric collage can be done by almost anyone. No sewing or patchwork knowledge required! You only need fine motor skills to cut the pieces and be able to use an iron.

Suitable for children from 8-10 years old who can use small sharp scissors, under adult supervision who will handle the ironing.

Time required

About 2-3 hours.

Notions and materials

The complete Christmas tree fabric collage kit sold in the FibraCreativa shop contains all the fabric and fusible web to make the collage.

You will need the following materials:

• A pair of small sharp scissors, or several if you do it as a family team project (ideal for a rainy Saturday before the holidays).
• An iron and ironing board or a pressing mat
• A 30x40 cm wooden frame if you want to frame your collage (optional).

How to make your Christmas sewing collage decoration

Cut the fabric panel in two, to separate the base (printed background that will serve as the support for the collage) from the elements to cut and glue.

Iron both pieces (on cotton temperature) to remove wrinkles and set aside the base.

Apply the fusible web sheets to the back of elements to cut piece of fabric so as to cover the entire surface.

Separate the sections as shown:

Separate the matching green and brown prints from the decorative elements. If you do the project as a family, this allows dividing the cutting.

• Cut the decorative elements. Since they are placed on a background of the appropriate color, no need to cut exactly at the edges, 1mm is enough. Set aside the pieces.
• In the brown prints, cut 3 pieces the size of a thumbnail, organic in shape, and place them on the tree trunk.
• In the green prints, cut organic-shaped pieces the size of a thumbnail, and place them on the tree foliage, alternating prints and tones to achieve a harmonious effect.

The fusible web temporarily holds the pieces in place without ironing, and also allows moving and repositioning them. This lets you play with the pieces to create the composition you like. Above all, do not iron at this stage; ironing will be done at the end once the composition is finished.

When the tree is completely covered with collaged pieces, all that remains is to decorate and complete the scene by placing the decorative elements wherever you like. This is the most fun part, which children will especially enjoy.

The fabric panel includes Christmas gifts, garlands, balls, boots, candles, a sleeping cat, a sleeping dog, a potted red poinsettia, a teddy bear, a "Joyeux Noël" inscription... There are more elements than needed, so you can choose and create your own personalized Christmas decoration.

Once your composition is finalized, just press with a hot iron (without sliding the iron, but lifting it to move) to firmly fix all the pieces on the background.

And there you go, your sewing collage is finished, just admire it and frame it!

For those who love threads and needles, here are now some ideas for a patchwork or embroidery finish.

Christmas applique mini quilt with tree and gifts

For the initiated, the fabric collage made in the previous step is a raw-edge applique. From this base, quilters will be strongly tempted to create a quilted object!

Some ideas to make with this panel:

• Christmas wallhanging mini-quilt : just add batting, a backing fabric, quilt it, add binding, done!
• Merry Christmas quilted pillow: add matching fabric to the collage panel (30x42cm) and turn in into a square cushion (45x45 cm) or rectangular (60x40 cm) cushion.
• Christmas patchwork quilt: the collage, surrounded by patchwork blocks, becomes the central panel of a larger quilt.

Important: although the fusible web is sufficient to hold the pieces in place for a framed decoration, if the panel is integrated into a "utility" object like a cushion or patchwork throw, it is essential to quilt or embroider it to firmly hold the pieces in place with threads so they do not lift with use.

Alternatively, you can sew a mesh fabric on top.

Embroidered Merry Christmas decoration with tree and gifts

The collage Christmas tree image will surely inspire embroiderers to embellish it with embroidery threads.

Again, if the work is intended to be hung, no problem, the fusible web holds the fabric pieces in place. In case the panel is included in a cushion or other object that will be subjected to friction (and occasional washing), it is important to secure all fabric layers with threads to ensure the durability of the collage.

There you go, we hope this project, born from the collaboration of FibraCreativa and Jacqueline Bahí, will please and inspire you. Feel free to show us yours, we love to see and share your creations!