Embroidery Hoop Rainbow Tree

Teaching kids the basics of sewing with a needle and thread is something we all should do. Sure, there are sewing machines these days, and when they get older they can take their shirt to the cleaners to have the button sewn back on. But why, when they can learn these basic life skills while creating a fun project at the same time?

To make this rainbow tree you will need:

10-inch round embroidery hoop
White cotton fabric (I used an old sheet)
Brown embroidery floss
Embroidery needle
Buttons (7 of each color): red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple
Stick pins
Hot glue gun
Thimble
Rainbow tree pattern

I do recommend parental supervision for this project as kids will be working with sharp stick pins and a needle. The step with the hot glue gun can also be done by an adult if you prefer.

Place the fabric inside the embroidery hoop and pull it tight. Print out the pattern. Use scissor to cut around the shape of the tree trunk and the branches. Use stick pins to attach the pattern to the fabric in the embroidery hoop.

Separate the brown embroidery floss in half so that you have three threads. Thread the needle with the floss and put on your thimble. Begin sewing a running stitch around the outline of the tree trunk and up to the first branch (on left).

Carefully lift and move the branch section of the pattern out of your way to finish the branch stitch.

Snip and tie off the stitch in the back. Begin a new thread to finish the trunk and to make the first branch (on right).

Carefully cut off the bottom of the pattern so that you have room to stitch the remaining branches. Don’t throw that piece of the pattern away just yet though! You will need it for the placement of your buttons.

Once all of your branches are stitched, Begin sewing on the buttons. The pattern provides you with placement for each one so that they mirror the placement of the colors of the rainbow. You can certainly sew whatever colors you like!

Once all of your buttons have been added, pull the fabric tight and make sure it looks the way that you want. Trim the excess fabric around the edge of the embroidery hoop. Hot glue the excess to the inside edge of the hoop to hide it from view.

Your rainbow tree wall art is now ready to be hung! This makes a great bedroom decoration or can be given as a thoughtful DIY gift for the holidays or a birthday.

Amanda Formaro is a well-known craft expert and has been writing and crafting on the Internet for over fifteen years. Find out more on her blog, Crafts by Amanda, where she shares tutorials with step-by-step photos for adults and kids alike.