Christmas Tree Quilt for Beginners: A Fun & Simple Tutorial
Are you a beginner or brand new aspiring quilter looking to make a fast and easy Christmas Tree block or quilt? Wondering where to begin? Well, you’re in luck. I’m excited to share a simple Christmas Tree quilt block pattern with you! You can make just one block and turn it into a holiday pillow, wall hanging, trivet, or towel embellishment — express your creativity! Or, make as many blocks as you like for a table runner, placemats, or a finished lap quilt.
Let’s Get Started
So, where should you begin? With inspiration, of course! If you don’t know what colors you might like for your beginner Christmas tree quilt block, try searching web images for “Christmas palette.” While you can’t go wrong with traditional red, green, and gold, it’s fun to explore innovative and trending colorways. In fact, I’ve had my eye on Robert Kaufman Fabrics’ Chromaticity collection since first laying eyes on it.
When I spotted this colorful collection of vintage-inspired glass Christmas ornaments, I immediately realized Chromaticity would coordinate perfectly for a fun beginner Christmas Tree quilt block!
Let’s make a beginner-friendly Christmas Tree quilt block! You’ll need 1 fat eighth (9” x 20”) for the tree, 1 fat eighth for the background, and a scrap for the trunk. Or, if you have fabric scraps, you can cut your patches from those instead of fat eighths. Cut your patches carefully because with convenient precut fat eighths, there’s no extra fabric! If you want extra fabric for insurance—or to make two matching blocks—start with fat quarters (18” x 20”) instead.
“On one hand, quilters want to be efficient with fabric, but on the other hand, we like a little extra for insurance—always a tricky balance! That’s why quilters end up with so many scraps — AND why we love scrap quilts!”
– Valerie Uland, Love of Quilting Editor
How to Make a Christmas Tree Quilt for Beginners
Christmas Tree Quilt Block Materials
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1 fat eighth assorted print for tree
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1 fat eighth cream print for background
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1 scrap blue print for tree trunk
Christmas Tree Quilt Block Cutting
From assorted print, cut:
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1 rectangle 4 ½” x 8 ½” (D)
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1 rectangle 3 ½” x 6 ½” (C)
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1 rectangle 2 ½” x 4 ½” (A)
From cream print, cut:
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2 rectangles 4 ½” x 6 ½” (E)
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2 rectangles 3 ½” x 6 ½” (C)
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2 rectangles 2 ½” x 6 ½” (B)
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2 rectangles 2 ½” x 6” (F)
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1 rectangle 1 ½” x 12 ½” (H)
From blue print, cut:
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1 rectangle 1 ½” x 2 ½” (G)
Finished size: 12”
Christmas Tree Quilt Block Assembly
1
Referring to “Stitch-and-Flip Corners” in Sew Easy Lessons, mark 45-degree sewing lines on 2 cream print B’s as shown. Join 2 cream print B’s to corners of 1 assorted print A as shown to make the tree top unit.
2
In similar manner, mark and join 2 cream C’s to corners of 1 assorted C to make the tree middle unit.
3
Use the same technique to join 2 cream E’s to corners of 1 assorted D to make the tree bottom unit.
4
Join a cream F to each side of the blue print G to make the tree trunk unit.
5
Lay out 1 cream H and tree top, middle, bottom, and trunk units; join to complete the 12″ easy beginner Christmas Tree quilt block! (Quilt block should measure 12 1/2″ including raw edges.)
Now, Turn Your Blocks Into a Quilt
I had lots of fun sewing blocks using different fabrics for the tree patches. As you can see, I opted to keep all the Christmas tree trunks and backgrounds the same. But you can mix and match to suit your taste or your intended gift recipient’s holiday style. I have lots of fun playing around with fabrics and quilt designs in Electric Quilt 8! Here’s my mockup for a 20-block finished quilt with 1 ½” vertical sashing, cornerstones, and border, which would finish at 55 ½” x 69”.
How Will You Sew Up Festive Fun?
We hope this fun and simple tutorial on making a Christmas tree quilt for beginners has inspired you to start stitching today! Are you still looking for more beginner-friendly, easy Christmas Tree quilt blocks and quilts? Then you need to check out On Christmas Eve by Kari Mathews, Very Merry Table Runner by Kim Schaefer, and Let Christmas Begin by Lisa Donnelly. And if you decide to make any of these designs, we want to see your creations! Share with us on Instagram, Facebook, or the comments below.
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