It’s hard to believe but this is the 3rd year that I’ve been making my fabric covered poster board Christmas tree cones.
**Updated on Nov. 2015 -templates and pattern is now available in my shop with 5 cone sizes all on one template. You can read this post for more details***
I have had so much fun over the years making my tree cones and the best part has been trying new fabric combinations each year. For this year’s trees, I found these gorgeous velvets and chenilles in this rich jade color and made a new set for my kitchen island:
I blinged out my cones this year with fringe trim, sequins and this pretty rhinestone reindeer that I attached with hot glue:
Here are some of the tree cones that I have made and shared on the blog in the past three years. I have still have all of these and I have been so amazed how well they have held up year after year in my attic. Sorry that some of the images are not that great but obviously, my photography has come a long way in three years!:
Over the next year after that post, I received hundreds of emails and comments from people telling me that my tutorial was a little too complicated and asking if I would create templates with all of the various sizes of cones on them. Many also asked if I could figure out a way to shorten the process by adhering the fabric to the poster board first and then roll the cones to be able to save on fabric.
So last year, I finally decided to see if I could shorten the process and make a template. I worked with an engineer to come up with a master template/pattern that had five perfectly sized cones so when they are displayed as a set, they are each in proportion to each other. I also finally figured out a way to add the fabric first and then roll (no more wasted fabric). I spent six weeks writing the e-book tutorial available here.
After I finalized everything last year, I offered the template/tutorial for sale for immediate download in my online shop. I have been so surprised by the response and it’s been such a joy for me to receive emails and pictures of beautiful tree cones made all around the world made from my template that I created at my little kitchen island.
This is one of my favorite pictures sent in from three sister’s; Susan, Diane and Peggy who had a special sister craft day to make tree cones a few weeks ago:
Thank you so much to those of you who encouraged me to do the templates! It’s really been such a wonderful experience and it just really warms my heart to receive notes and pictures of everyone’s pretty tree cones over this last year!
For those of you who don’t know about my template, the great thing is that you don’t have to use them for just Christmas tree cones. They can be used for anything that requires a craft cone, which are expensive to buy pre-made. Because the poster board is doubled up, they are just as durable as the paper mache store bought cones. The sizes of the five cones on the pattern range from the super tall 28 inch and the smallest being 8.5 x 11 inch that can be used for decorative cardstock/paper cones.
This is what the sizes on my template look like (without the fabric):
You can use these patterns over and over and you will never have to buy a craft cone again. The best part of all of this is that poster board is so cheap. You can pick up poster board for 3 for $1.00 at Hobby Lobby and Michael’s. Again, because they are basically doubled-up, they are super durable. You can paint them, glue stuff too them or cover with any kind of fabric. The possibilities are endless!
On the pattern itself, I have cut dashes/marks and scissors to show you exactly where to cut, how to cut, where to roll and precisely where to place your fabric. I went to great lengths to design the pattern so it would be as easy and user friendly as possible because of the issues reader’s had with my initial tutorial:
Also, included with the template/pattern is a step by step tutorial (with pictures) for not only making the craft cones but for creating fabric covered poster board tree cones. By the way, because the cone itself is open at the base (unlike cardboard or styrofoam pre-made cones), all you have to do is slide the finished cone over a candlestick and you have an instant base/tree stem:
See how you can just slide them over a candle base:
Of course you don’t have to cover them with fabric, you can cover them with almost anything! Because the tallest cone is more than 10 inches taller than store bought pre-made cones, these cones really look dramatic with not only fabric but you can use sheet moss to make year round topiaries:
or you can simple hot glue natural items like pine cones:
or do something fun and whimsical like covering the tallest cone with kid’s foam sticker letters and spray painting it any color imaginable:
The cones are also a perfect holiday centerpiece for luncheons or Christmas parties!
Lastly, one of my favorite things about making the tree cones over the last three years has been making them with my friends at our tree cone crafting parties! This is one of the best crafts to make with a group and if you’re looking for a holiday craft to do with the family or girlfriends, this is a really fun project to do with a group:
If you’re interested, my e-tutorial/template download, it’s $9.95 and once it’s purchased in my online shop here, the download is sent immediately via email. You will need to have Adobe Reader (most of us have it on our computers) to download and view. If you do not have Adobe Reader, you can get it free at Adobe.com. With the download, you will receive instructions on how to download and save it to your computer.
One last thing.. I wanted to let you guys know that I’m participating in a “12 Days of Christmas” Tour of Homes with an amazing group of talented bloggers. I’m really excited (and have a lot of work to do to get ready) but you can see below everyone who is participating. I hope you get the chance to do the tour because I know there is going to be a lot inspiration and Christmas ideas. My home will be featured here on the blog on December 12th. The tour will run from Dec. 9-20th.
Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you guys have a fantastic weekend!
Cheers!
Cyndy
Megan @ Our Pinteresting Family says
I love your tree cones, Cyndy. The colors for your trees this year are beautiful. Wish I could come to your tree cone making party. 🙂
Cyndy says
Yes Megan, wish we lived closer so we could craft together! I know we would have a ball. Thanks so much friend and hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Cheers!
Jessica says
These are adorable! I love your fabric combinations. I’ll definitely have to give this a try! PS: You’re the only other Cyndy I’ve seen spell her name like my mom’s! Most use an ‘i’ 🙂
Michele says
Cyndy,
I adore your cone trees! I’m totally going to make these and I love that they don’t have to be just for the Christmas season.
Jen H says
I am so excited about this!!! I have been crafting with styrofoam and paper mache cones from Hobby Lobby for three years! Those can get expensive! What a budget saver these will be for me! It never occurred to me to use other materials. I popped over for your home tour from my friend Andrea’s blog, Oak Ridge Revival. So glad I did! Thanks for putting together the tutorial!
terri hopler says
I just purchased your cone tree patterns and now I’m busy frantically trying to adapt these for centerpieces for a Valentine’s weekend marriage retreat. Since you’ve been perfecting this craft for several years now and I’ve only been messing with it for 3 days, do you have any ideas for me?
Cyndy says
Hi Terri. I’m sorry that you are having problems. I will be happy to help you if you email me how you are trying to “adapt” the cones and I’m sure we can make it work. My email is cyndy@thecreativityexchange.com
Linda Clark says
Cyndy: I am loving the tree cones pattern.
They are so easy and come together very fast. Wanted to share with you that I have adapted my version of applying the fabric with heat and bond Ultra to the fabric first then iron that to the poster board. Works very well for me. I then use the hot glue to stick the seam together. Very sturdy….I would add a photo of the tree cones I have made but I did not see a spot where I could do this, so I will add the photos to pinterest…Thanks for the fun pattern and tutorials..
Lyn Langton says
Is there a way to order and pay for these without pay pal? I tried once before and was seriously hacked on that site. Not to anxious to do that again. Love all of the trees and anxious to start crafting.
Jill Schade says
I purchased your templates and have been rushing through home chores so I can spend more time making creative cones. The only problem I encountered is with shaping the tips into a point. I can’t seem to achieve a satisfactory top. Do you have any suggestions?
Cyndy says
It takes a little practice but if you can twist your tips a little tighter, it will work. Just keep playing with them and you will get them perfect. 🙂
Gwendolyn McNeil says
I purchase your tree template but I am having problems folding the tree. I was wondering do you have a video that you can watch and put the tree together if so can you please send it to me please. I have tried and tried and I can’t get my tree to stand
Cyndy says
I’m sorry, I don’t have a video at this time. In the instructions, I list step-by-step on how to roll the cone. I would go back and make sure that you are doing each of the steps. Once you cut out the template on poster board, you just roll keeping the tip pointed.
Diane Robbins says
How do you store these beautiful trees without damaging?