Batik-Dyed Holiday Table Topper

Step 1:

MAKING TREE STENCIL:
-Cut a 5” high by 7” wide plastic template. Draw or trace tree in center of template using pattern provided, and cut out tree. (Tree shown is 3 ½” high.)

CUTTING TABLE TOPPER:
Note: Launder and iron white fabric before cutting and dyeing to remove sizing or finishes.

Center: Cut 33” square from gingham fabric.
Borders: Cut four borders, 5” high x 43” wide, from white fabric.
Border Facings: Cut four borders, 5” high x 43” wide, from white fabric.

CUTTING TABLE SKIRT:
From Bed Sheet: Cut one 72” square.

From Fabric: Cut one 40” wide x 72” high center panel.
Cut two 20” wide x 72” high side panels.

STENCILLING TREES FOR BATIK DYEING:
1.Cover work area with plastic.

2.Place four borders on plastic, and mark the center of each strip.

3.Beginning with one strip, place tree stencil on mark, centering stencil from top to bottom.

4.Tape stencil to fabric. Using brush, apply fabric resist medium inside stencil, following manufacturer’s directions on bottle.

5.Plan and mark the position of four more trees, two on each side of center tree, measuring 7” from center of each tree.

6.After applying resist to one tree, move stencil and continue applying resist to each tree.

7.Repeat on remaining three borders. Allow resist to dry thoroughly before applying dye.

APPLYING DYE TO TREE BORDERS:
1.Prepare dye concentrate. If using powdered dye, dissolve one package of dye in 1 cup hot tap water. If using liquid dye, mix ½ bottle liquid dye in ½ cup hot tap water.

2.Apply dye directly to fabric borders with a brush. Brush-on dye using a swirling motion around trees. Avoid placing dye directly on trees, but be sure to brush up to edges of trees, allowing some dye to seep into indents of trees.

3.Allow dye to remain on fabric for 20 to 30 minutes.

4.Rinse fabric in cool water until water runs clear. Then wash in hot water with detergent and rinse until water runs clear. Fabric color will lighten slightly after rinsing.

5.Machine or hang dry and iron fabric.

SEWING TABLE TOPPER:
Note: Use ½” seam allowances.

1.Mark each corner of gingham table topper with a dot ½” from both cut edges.

2.With right sides together, pin and stitch one border to one side of table topper, beginning and ending at dots. Then pin and stitch a second border to opposite side of topper. Stitch the two remaining borders to the other sides of topper. Make sure trees are positioned upright before stitching. Press seams toward borders.

3.With wrong side up at each corner of topper, fold and mark a mitered corner with tail ends of borders. Stitch along marked line, beginning at marked dot. Trim to create a ½” seam allowance, and press seam open.

4.With right sides together, center and pin long edges of facings to each outside edge of topper assembly. At each corner, mark the same mitered corner angle of border on the facing; then fold, pin and stitch angle on facings together at corners. Trim to create a ½” seam allowance, and press seam open.

5.Pin and stitch facing assembly to table topper at all edges, pivoting at corners. Press seam open and trim corners. Turn facings to wrong side of topper. Turn under inside edge of facing, and slip stitch to inside edge of border. Press flat.

6.Stitch tassels to each corner of border on table topper, and sew on buttons at each corner of gingham center section.

SEWING TABLE SKIRT:
Note: Round red table skirt can be purchased or you can sew your own. Use ½” seam allowances.

1.For fabric cut into three panels: With right sides together and long cut edges even, pin each narrow panel to each side of the wide panel. Stitch panels together. Press seam allowances to one side, and zigzag or serge over raw edges.
(Skip this step if using bed sheet.)

2.With wrong side of fabric facing out, fold skirt into quarters, first crosswise and then lengthwise, matching seams and cut edges. Pin all layers together along folds.

3.The finished diameter of this table skirt measures 70”. To determine the cutting radius needed, divide the table skirt diameter by 2 and add 1” for a hem. Our cutting radius calculated to 36”. Hold the end of a tape measure at the folded corner (center) of skirt. Using the tape measure as a compass, mark the cutting radius on the fabric every few inches with a fabric pen, progressing from one folded edge to the other. Cut through all layers along the marked line.

4.Open out folds of skirt. Make a ½” double hem around edge of skirt; machine stitch close to fold.