I try to make a special Christmas project every year.

It’s been stockings, stuffed quilty birds, santa hats in many sizes, tea towels, aprons potholders……it goes on and on.

This year it’s Christmas tree softies! You can find a lot of examples out on Pinterest and Instagram. I used the free tutorial from the Sewing Directory.

It’s basically just a Christmas tree shape. Two or three sewn together. Then stuffed.

To make assorted sizes, I reduced the pattern to 90%, 80% and 60%.

The first one I made was three layers. I thought it was a little too bulbous so I tried just using two layers on the next one.

While the sewing is really quick and easy, the stuffing takes forever! And I wanted to make a BUNCH of these so I went with the two layers.

The first set of three I made, I used different fabrics on the front and back of each layer. That gave them a fun scrappy look.

And here’s how I made them.

You need two layers for each tree. Each layer has a front and back. Pin them right side together.

Whenever I’m making softies, I use a 1.6 stitch. (In comparison, in garment making, it’s usually a 2.5 and in piecing a quilt it is 2.0.) I use the smaller stitch so when I turn them right side out and poke out the corners, I don’t push my chop stick through! Been there–done that!

I used a 1/4″ seam and stitched around all sides except about 3″ on the bottom.

Trim the corners and snip the angles. Over the trash can–of course!

Turn the pieces right side out. Very carefully poke out the corners.

Press the seam allowance under on the bottom section.

Layer the two pieces and draw a line down the middle. I used a disappearing marker.

Stitch on the marked line.

Time to stuff. This is very boring, mindless, and takes forever. I use a hemastat and a chop stick for this step. Also. A little hint. I make my polyfil very very small to start out with on the points. If it’s too big the points won’t get filled. And you don’t want unfulfilled points! I also cram a lot of stuffing into these babies so they’ll be really firm.

I stuffed a lot of these on car trips. To DC. To the airport. Where ever I might be going.

Also while watching the news or Netflix with either a cup of tea….

Or a glass of wine. Depends on the time of day. (Miss Kitty is obviously not happy that I’m ignoring her!)

I use a ladder stitch to sew up the opening. You could also use a whip stitch.

I have made 16 so far and have given most of them out. I kept this set for me. All candy-licious. And pinka-licious!

I might have time to make a few more before Christmas….but I’m kinda burnt out on this project. Onto something fun!