Well friends, it’s about that time to start thinking about dragging out the old Christmas decorations… I am super excited about decorating this year because that means I can make even more Christmas tree cones.
Some of you may remember my poster board tree cones that I made last Christmas:
Fabric Covered Poster Board Tree Cone Tutorial {December, 2011}
The tree cones have been by far one of my favorite projects to post and it also turned out to be one of my most viewed projects. Â I was so thrilled that so many of you had fun making them last year.
I had so much fun with the cones that we even had a “Christmas in August” craft party this summer where my friend Jane and I taught some friends how to make the holiday cones:
You can read my post about our “Christmas in August” craft party here.
Ah yes, I also figured out a way to make them for Easter when I turned my cones into topiaries when I covered them in moss sheets:
Poster Board Topiaries (March, 2011)
I am really into flocked velvet fabrics this year because they really make a huge impact on the cones. I found this gorgeous fabric at High Fashion Fabrics in Houston:
Last year I made this set of cones for my kitchen island:
I loved the cones last year but wanted to create something new for the kitchen and so I made one blinged out tree and I embellished it by creating a long garland out of pearl sprigs and hot gluing it to the cone:
Ok, so below is the tree cone tutorial from last year.
****11/23/12-  *** This post has been updated and I am now offering a PDF download of the tree cone patterns (5 sizes all in one) and a new tutorial  with an easier process for making the cones.  You can read the details here.
I can’t wait to see pictures of your finished cones so please send them to me if you decide to make them. Â I will be sharing pictures of readers finished tree cones on The Exchange Facebook Page throughout the holiday season so be sure and check out the Facebook Page and be sure and send me your pictures friends. Â I just can’t wait to see what you all come up with.
Ok, so here are the instructions (3 steps):
I recently created a template/pattern with five sizes of tree cones and a tutorial with a new and easier technique for attaching the fabric to the cone and then rolling. Â I was even able to create a guide line for rolling that makes sure that your cones are perfect every time. Â I am now offering the templates/tutorial via instant PDF download in my new online shop. You can read more about what all you can do with the templates here.
Step 1- Making the Cone Templates:
1) Take a piece of standard poster board and cut out a two inch strip down the longest side of the poster board like this:
2) Take a tack and push through one end of your strip. On the other end poke a hole with a knife or ice pick and push through your pencil like this (it needs to be a tight enough fit for the pencil to stand up:
3) Push the tack and strip through corner of new poster board (not the poster board that you used to cut your strip) and keep the tack corner over the edge of a counter like this:
4) While holding your tack with your left hand, with your right hand, gently start your pencil at #1 as seen in the picture below and use your strip as your line guide but make sure you do not pull so hard that the tack and corner are raised up. Draw your line until you run out of board and reach #2 as seen below (click on diagram picture for close up):
5) Cut out your template and it should look like this when your done:
6) Cut several short strips of packing tape and have them ready to grab as you begin rolling your cone.
7) The best way to begin rolling your cone is to start at the tip (#3 on above diagram)) and sort of fold/arch it over gently halfway at your tip (see my red dashes of where to arch and tuck) until you get a good point and HOLD! Now, go to the base of the cone and tuck until #2 is on top of #1 or until you have only the rounded curve (black dashes on diagram) around your base and hold! Go back to your tip and tape it down at the point to secure. In order for your cone to stand level, you can only have the curved edge where you drew your line (black dashes on diagram) on the bottom like this:
8) Once you have a good point at the tip of your cone and point #4 is completely tucked in the roll, secure the cone with packing tape vertically from the tip down to the bottom over the board edge. It took me a couple tries before I got my cone rolling down pat and now I can do it in my sleep!
9) To make a middle size cone, repeat the above steps but cut 4 inches off of your measuring strip. To make a small size cone, cut off 4 more inches off of your middle size measuring strip. I made 3 templates and now all I have to do is pull out my template to trace and no longer have to use a measuring strip.
Step 2- Covering the Cone in Fabric
1) Once you have your cone ready, lay out your fabric on a large surface. Again, keep in mind, upholstery/drapery fabric are ideal, heavy cotton is ok and velvet and stretchy fabrics are very challenging.
2) If you are using a solid fabric with no pattern or pattern that you do not care how it is laid out, lay your cone down on your fabric with the line/edge of the cone meeting the edge of the fabric. Be sure and allow an extra 1/2 inch at the tip like this:
3) With a black sharpie, trace along the base of the cone onto the fabric and then gently turn your cone and trace again (if you’ve ever done a fabric cover for a lamp shade, it’s the same technique) You will do this until your line/edge of your cone has made a full circle.
4) As you turn your cone to trace, watch and hold your tip so as your turn your cone, the tip of your cone also turns on the fabric as it would naturally roll as well. Like this.
5) Trace your cone until the edge/ line of the cone has made a full roll and draw a line on the fabric from the bottom to the tip to show where you should cut the fabric give an extra inch or so).
6) Cut out your fabric (cut inside black sharpie marks) and it should look like this :
7) Go outside and spray your cone completely and heavily with a good spray adhesive. I use Treehouse and it is awesome! Be sure and spray well, especially the tip.
8) Place your sprayed cone onto the fabric at the same position where you started when you began to trace onto the fabric.
9) Begin at the tip of your cone and roll the edge of the fabric up like this:
10) Now begin gently rolling the cone around the fabric, slightly pulling down and watching that you do not get creases. If you are using an upholstery fabric, you will not have to pull much and it should just perfectly roll and stick onto your cone.
11) You should have about two inches or less of fabric left over that you will need to go outside and spray to get it to stick to the rest of the fabric covered cone. I sprayed the loose fabric well, especially the tip like this:
12) Finish rolling the excess fabric gently onto the cone pressing down to get a flush line like this:
13) Trim any excess fabric around the base of your cone to get a perfect line around your base.
14) If you are using a pattern fabric that you do want to position on the tree a certain way, place your cone on your fabric in the middle of fabric with 1/2 inch extra at the tip and draw your line at the base and then roll half way to the right and draw your line at the base (draw line from base to tip as well). and then go back to the middle and then roll half way to the left and draw your line at the base and draw a line from base to tip and cut your fabric.
Step 3- Trimming your Fabric Covered Cone
1) You can trim your tree with anything! Fabric trim, Christmas cording or anything!
2) Use a glue gun to begin gluing your trim at the tip of your cone on the backside where the line of the fabric is (this will be the backside of your cone).
3) You can either trim diagonally down along your cone for a sloping garland look or vertical, glueing every so often.
4) I think it looks more finished to add cording or trim around the base of the cone.
5) No more steps, get creative and have fun!
That’s it for now!! Enjoy making your fabric covered cones and I would love to see pictures of your finished creations! So fun!
Cheers!
Cyndy
Geraldine says
Hello Cyndy! I’ve just finished my Tree Cones covered in muss, thanks to your tutorial and I’m very happy of the result. I’ve posted it on my blog! The tree cone with the butterfly is beautyful! Thank you for the tutorial! Best regards from France!
Julie says
Hi Cyndy,
Love, love, love these! They are all just so beautiful! Just wondering, about how much fabric is needed for a large cone? I can’t wait to get started!
Thanks
bauendreinigung says
Extremely well written blog post!!!
Melissa @ Love Bug Living says
These are beautiful! I knew there had to be a cheaper solution than the styrofoam cones. Thanks!
Kate says
What a great idea!! I love how they turned out!
Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer says
So beautiful, I’ll be making these this year. Great tut also. Coming from SNS
Tenille says
These are too cute. I love all the variations you have of them. What a cute piece of decor that can be done cheaply. I would love it if you could link this up at our linky party going on right now.
http://junkintheirtrunk.blogspot.com/2011/11/link-it-up-wednesday-3.html
Donna says
Wow, your Christmas cones are just gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing the great tutorial. I love the flocked one the best, and I also love what you’ve used for the bases. Thanks again for such a terrific idea!!
kerryanne says
Very inspiring and great tutorial Cyndy.
I’d love it if you could share this at my Simply Christmas Inspitaion Party at http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/2011/11/yay.html
deanna says
Okay. A couple of questions. The pics at the very top, the group on the left (last years) the one on the right, is it wrapping paper? Wall paper? I love this one but cant find anything like it!
Also, same pic, the middle one, the round disk-like things you used as garland. Where to find?
In the group pic with all the girls. The two girls, first row, farthest on right, what material did they make their red trees out of?
Sorry so much! Thank you so much!
Cyndy says
Deanna- The black and white damask on your first question is a vintage drapery fabric from the 60’s/70’s and it’s flocked too, which really makes it pop. You can check on ebay and search black and white damask fabric. You may be able to find several choices. Next, the round disk thingys are pie-ettes (spelled wrong but sounds like its spelled). They are in the sequin aisle at the craft store and I used gold and silver and ran a super thin silver thread through them and tied after each knot.
Lastly,to the two girls in the picture. One 2nd to the end used an inexpensive red sequined fabric (standard sequined fabric sold in basic colors at craft store) and my friend Amy used on the end and red fuzzy fabric that she brought with her. Not sure where she found it but look at fuzzy fabrics. Both trees turned out amazing! Sounds like you’re gonna make some cones girl! Please send me pictures!!
deanna says
What about the one on the far right? Is it damask too? The antiqued cream one.
deanna says
Is the other one on the far right a damask too? The cream, looks antique? You also have it in red further down.
Cyndy says
Deanna, the one on the far right is a flocked velvet medallion fabric from a fabric store in Houston. Most home decor fabric stores are carrying flocked velvets now and in my opinion, they look the best. I saw a flocked velvet wrapping paper at Hobby Lobby last week in damask that I think would look incredible!! Hmmm… I may have to run up there and pick it up now that I think about it! LOL!
deanna says
I was at hobby lobby today & none at ours. Not the fabric either. I will keep looking cuz I really like that one!
Kim says
These look terrific! Thanks for sharing at Wow.
Christina at I Gotta Create! says
Love! These a beautiful, potentially less expensive than the styrofoam forms, and I love the sizes and tall, “pointy” trees you can get out of them. Beautiful job!
Lisa @ A Room with A View says
Thank you for sharing this. I am new to your blog and a new follower. Love the creativity and the levels one can go to to make these cones spectacular. Linking up via Savvy Southern Style. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Kate says
Love this idea! I included it on my top 10 list of handmade Christmas decor. Feel free to stop by and grab a button or link to show that you have been featured!
Thanks!
WhyCuzICan says
Pinned these from your darling site a long time ago– just LOVE them!!!! Thanks for sharing with the world!
Congrats on being featured this week at Wow Us Wednesday!
Smiles,
Suzanne in NW Illinois
Babs says
These are so cute and the possibilities are endless for color and covering material. How much fun is that? Great project and thanks for the tutorial.
Cyndy says
Thank you so much! They are very addicting too!! Thanks for stopping by!! Happy Holidays!
Rukmini says
This is so cute Cyndy. I see these conical trees popping out everywhere in blogland this season. They look quite chic. I love the checkered one.
Visiting from Savvy Southern. 🙂
Cameron says
Omigosh! It’s like you read my mind – I’m new here, so I didn’t see all the previous tutorials, but I just finished agonizing over the cost of foam trees – I have a mantel I want to decorate with trees – TALL trees. And those foam thingies are expensive! I can’t wait to try these ideas out – thank you!
Sherika Alston says
Love all the different combinations! Great tutorial! So glad I don’t have to go out and buy one of those form tree shapes! Thanks for making my life a little easier! 🙂
Becky says
This is great- so much cheaper than the foam cones! Thank you!
Courtland says
Thank you for adding this great info. I had a tree trimming party and pre made the cones in different sizes with wrapping paper, fabric, old green pool table felt and then had all the fun accessories to adorn the tree. Thanks for this great idea!!!
Darlene says
Just finished mine! The other great thing about the cones is they will nest inside one another if you need to store them and the foam cones won’t. I made mine in a green, red and gold print that work well for Christmas but also match my everyday color scheme so they will do double duty. I advise only using heavier fabric so the glue doesn’t seep through. Thanks for your great tutorial!!
Dara at I Love Paper Beads says
OMG these are great!! Perfect for small spaces and leaving lots and lots of room for creativity. (I have a ton of extra fabric around, and I’ve been looking for a project for it.) I think I’ll make some and have them ready for Thanksgiving to send home with my guests as a little “get the holidays started” gift.
Cyndy says
Thank you Dara! In the next week, I will be offering a template/pattern for 5 different tree cone sizes that I will be selling on Etsy (including the extra large one that is 27.5 inches tall and larger than any pre-made styrofoam/cardboard size sold at craft stores). I have had so many requests for templates that I finally developed a really good template to sell. They will be available to buy and immediately download or a hard copy that I can ship. All anyone will have to do is trace each size onto a poster board and they will have a permanent template. The 5 sizes are perfectly spaced so when they are rolled and covered in fabric,they size differences will compliment each other. They will come with a step by step instruction sheet and lines on the template of where to fold and roll. They will have the yardage for each cone needed. If you would rather wait and buy the template instead of having to draw your own, they should be ready by the end of this week. I haven’t finalized the prices yet but they will be inexpensive and pretty much cover my costs and time to develop and set up to sell. Thanks again for stopping by and I can send you an email when they are ready if you are interested. Thanks again Dara and sorry for the long response! Cyndy
Wyvona says
Cyndy
I would be so happy if you would notify me when the template/pattern is ready. I can’t wait to get started on these beautiful trees. They look so elegant. I love the Spring/Easter ones too. Wyvona
Cyndy says
I will email you Wyvonna when the tree cone templates are ready. Hopefully by Friday or Monday. Thank you so much for your interest!
Sandra Ware says
Love the trees. I am giving it a try.
Patty Garnett says
Could you e-mail me info on the templet for the cones. I make them also. I just eye it when I cut it. This would be so much better. Thank You. Your trees are just beautiful.
Cyndy says
I sure will Patty! I should be up and running by either Friday and Monday (fingers crossed). I will let you know. Yes, this will help because I have perfectly spaced the sizes so they will complement each other when grouped together. Thank you so much for your interest and I am thrilled that you love the tree cone madness! LOL!
Karen powell says
I would love for you to let me know when the tree cone templates will be available to order! Thanks looking forward to making them.
Kellie says
Me too!!
Kellie says
These are beautiful:) I am just about ready to get started but I was wondering what measurements might be needed for smaller cones and taller, skinny cones? I have a variety of materials to use for covering (thanks to Pinterest!!) like pine cone ‘wings’, feathers, ribbon, glitter balls etc… can’t wait to get them all done and I have my fingers crossed they look even 1/2 as beautiful as yours:)
Thanks for the tut!!
Kellie says
Oops, never mind:) I just re-read the tutorial and see to cut the inches off the measuring strip for the varying sizes:)
Wondering still about tall skinny cones… maybe I’ll just play around with some of my ‘extra’ poster paper:)
Thanks again:)
Cyndy says
Hi Kellie! All you have to do is roll your cones tighter to make them skinny. Once you start rolling, you will see how you can better control shape. I would love to see pictures when you’re done! Thanks!
Kellie says
Hi Cindy:)
Just one more question…
I have 3 cones made (not covered yet) and they are slightly different heights but they are so tall that they need a couple shorter cones to balance… So my question is: does the measuring strip have to end where there will still be a flat area on the other side or can I make it so that the whole ‘bottom’ (that will be the cone bottom) be curved? I only have 2 more pieces of Bristol board and I’d rather not test it out if you already know the answer:)
Can’t wait to show you my finished trees!!
Cyndy says
Hmmm… I am not picturing what you are asking. If you are asking if the bottoms have to be curved, the answer is yes. If you don’t have a flat part on the bottom, that’s ok, as long as your whole base curves. I hope I answered it Kellie. Keep me posted and yes, please send me pics of your fabulous cones! Thanks again!
Kellie says
Lol Cindy…
After I re-read my question, you’re right… It’s a little unclear;)
I was talking about area 4 being necessary in the bottom and even though i failed to use the clearly numbered areas (genius on your part:) you did in fact, answer my question:)
Now… 1 more: what kind of adhesive did you use for the fabric? Honestly, I’ve never used anything like that so I’ll need direction;)
And I’ll be sure to post my pics! (Got a smaller one all done in feathers already, looks lovely:)
Denise Copeland says
Cyndy
Love, love, love these! Could you please email the info on how to find the templates on Etsy.com or when the templates are available to purchase.
Thank you for a wonderful holiday project idea!
Denise
Linda says
I would like to be notified when the templete becomes available, thank you
Mechele says
I would love to know when the templates are up on Etsy.
Thanks!
jennifer says
I, also would love to be notified when template becomes available. thank you.
Heidi says
Please let me know when the templates are available on Etsy and also how to locate them on the website. Thanks so much! Can’t wait to try my hand at these trees!
Cyndy says
Thanks Heidi. The templates are not quite ready. They will be ready in the next few days and I will email you when the link is up. Thanks so much for your interest.
Andrea Champlin says
Could you please attach a link to your Etsy listing? I can’t find it! Love these and thanks so much!
Kay Warner says
What did you use of the bases?
Sue Wilks says
Please send me an email when the templates for the tree cones are ready, and please tell me how to get to thim. I can’t find it on the Etsy website. I am anxious to get started ! Thanks, Sue Wilks
Jaime DiSalvo says
How do you get the cones to sit up/prop up on the candlestick bases without falling down or just simply sitting on the table? Do you put something inside them?
And LOVE these! Found my next craft obsession!
Kim Ciabattini says
Please let me know when I can get these templates, I absolutely love this!
Cheryl says
I absolutely love these Cyndy! This will be a perfect mother-daughter project. Please notify me when the templates are available.
Pat Hopkins says
I would like to know when your cone tree templates are available for purchase
Pat Hopkins says
I would like to know when your fabric covered tree cone templates are available for purchase
Cyndy says
The tree cone template is ready and is now in the shop! You can read all about the details here: https://www.thecreativityexchange.com/2012/11/the-tree-cone-templates-are-finally-ready.html
Thank you Pat!!
Peggy says
Just stopping by to let you know I featured this project on my Christmas tree craft collection.
Please grab a featured button from my side bar when you get a chance. Thanks
http://diycraftyprojects.com/2012/11/50-diy-christmas-tree-craft-ideas-collection.html
Gloria Roldan says
These are a great craft to do with children at my job, I work at in a children’s Library. the older kids will love it! Thank you were always looking for new ideas.
Mary Lou Facey says
I just bought your pattern for the fabric covered Christmas trees. I’m getting ready to buy my fabric. What did you use for the stands that your trees are sitting on and how are they attached since the tree is hollow?
Mary Lou
Valeria says
Hello, I’m interested in hearing how you attached the bases to the cylinders. Thank you!