A friend has asked me to make her a Christmas tree skirt. I was thinking of making it out of velveteen fabric which I am finding very difficult to find. She wants an ivory colored tree skirt.

So far all I have found is real velvet which would be pretty, but here is my problem. I have never sewn anything out of velvet. I am wondering how I should finish the raw edge of the skirt. I am reluctant to "hem" it as hemming a large circle is tedious and difficult at best. I also don't think it is possible (?) to make a velvet bias binding due to the bulk of this fabric.

If any of you have experience with velvet, can you suggest a nice finish that isn't impossible to do well? I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you!

I have only made quilted cotton tree skirts in the past. I always trimmed mine with 4"-7" lace or eyelet. A velvet/velveteen skirt sounds very nice. Maybe the lacy trim would also work for your idea or cording.
DeeDee

No experience with velvet, but you could try a satin blanket binding. They are pre-packaged. It might be easier to work with.

I have never made a anything out of velveteen, I have used cotton or table clothing and found the easiest way to complete a circle is to serge the egde and then add a decorative trim like the fringes etc used on custom draperies etc. You get a nice edge with a custom made look as seen here behind my GD

That is such a pretty tree skirt.

What about doing a pillow case turning with the edge and then adding decorative ribbon or lace to the edge? Just a thought.

I've used velvet before, though it has been forever and a day ago. If you do use this, I would suggest using some kind of stabilizer, even if it's just the wash-away kind. Velvet likes to travel and misbehave and the trick is to force it into submission before it gets naughty. ;)

Velvet can be tricky, so large dollops of patience required. I like the idea of fringing, and would go perfectly with the lushness of the velvet.

Thank you for all of the great suggestions. I really hope to find some velveteen because I think it would behave better than the velvet.

I really like the fringe idea, or doing a corded edge. I need to talk further with my friend to be sure of what she wants.

Thank you again...love this group.

Just a thought--It is much easier to sew velvet if you use a walking foot. In fact, I bought my first walking foot years ago when I was making a velvet dress and could not get the seams to come out the same length. Using the walking foot keeps both layers moving at the same rate.

I made one 2 years ago, and finished it with lace.