How To Make Your Own Christmas Tree Star Plus A DIY Tree Skirt

This tutorial on how to make your own Christmas tree star produces a beautiful tree topper that will become a family heirloom.

As a bonus, there is a short section at the end of the video for making a simple Christmas tree skirt.

These tutorials are not hard, but I wouldn’t have a glass of wine before folding the stars; you need to concentrate.

One of these star tree toppers would make an excellent housewarming gift for when your kids leave home.  They’d also be great for the school classroom Christmas tree.

You’ll Need

• Brass metallic paint
• Copper metallic paint
• Paper
• Light cardboard
• Scissors
• Pen
• Tape
• Newspaper or magazine
• Elmer’s school glue
• Glitter in a shaker
• Paintbrush

For the tree skirt:

• A piece of flannel fabric
• Sharpie pen
• Pen
• String or thread
• Scissors

Step-By-Step Instructions

Folding The 3D Star

• Fold the paper in half.
• Run the scissor handles along the fold to reinforce it.
• Fold both sheets from the right top corner all the way down to the halfway point of the bottom, and press in the middle to leave a fold mark.
• Then do the same with the bottom right-hand corner.
• Now unfold. Note the location of the middle of the fold marks.
• Fold both sheets of the bottom left-hand side to the center of the fold marks.
• Fold down and reinforce with the scissor handles.
• Fold the right of that fold back over itself to meet the other edge.
• Reinforce the folds.
• Now take the bottom right-hand side and fold it to be beside the fold you just did.
• Reinforce the folds.
• Turn the paper over and fold it back from the center, and the angles should match.
• Reinforce the folds.
• Cut along the fold in the middle.
• Unfold; it should be in the shape of a star.
• Reinforce by folding and holdings the fold lines in the direction they are going; that is, up or down.
• Your star should now look like a little mountain.

The Second Star

• Place the star on the card.
• Decide what size and shape the star should be by pressing down or up.
• Trace lightly around the star.
• Put a “T” on the corner that is the top.
• Cut the star shape out, leaving about half an inch around the outside.
• Cut grooves in the half inch in the “valleys” of the star to enable you to fold it.

Putting The Stars Together

• Fold the half-inch sections back.
• Turn the second star over so the folds are on the top.
• Place your first star on top of it and fit it as required.
• Locate the section where you would like the star to be perched on the tree.
• Cut an upside-down “V” shape out of both stars at the same time.
• Now bring the folded sections on the bottom star over the edges of the top star.
• Tape in place.

The Papier Mache

• Tear strips from your newspaper or magazine.
• Mix glue and some water in a craft bowl.
• Lay out protection under your working area; it’ll get messy.
• Dip paper strips in the bowl and stick them to the star in random directions.
• Focus on covering up the folds and the seams.
• You don’t need to cover the whole star; it just needs to feel solid.

Decorating With Paint

• Go somewhere that’s safe for spray painting.
• Spray on a coat of brass metallic paint.
• Let it dry for 15 minutes.
• Then do a coat of copper paint.
• Let it dry for 15 minutes.
• Turn it over and do coats of paint on the back.

Decorating With Glitter

• Place the star on paper to protect your work surface.
• Paint the glue onto half of the star.
• Shake the glitter on.
• Do the same on the other side.
• Any glitter that has fallen to the paper can be shaken over the star.
• Give it a few hours to dry.

The DIY Christmas Skirt

• It’s preferable to have someone to help you with this.
• Fold the fabric in half.
• Find the center with the string or thread.
• Ask your friend to hold the pen in the center while you draw a dotted line around the edge in a circle shape with the sharpie pen.
• Cut it out.
• Fold into quarters and cut a hole in the center.
• Cut a line from the edge to the hole.
• Make the hole a bit bigger, depending on the size of your tree.
• Place it under the tree with the seam at the back.