We used embroidery thread, but you can also use knitting yarn, coarse string or rope if you’d like to make a bigger tree.

You Will Need

• embroidery thread in colour(s) of your choice
• silver sewing thread
• sheet of thin cardboard
• baking paper
• wood glue
• paintbrush
• masking tape
• craft knife
• scissors

To Make
1 Fold the cardboard into a cone shape of the desired size. Close the cone with masking tape and cut the bottom to make a level base. Now cover the cone with a sheet of baking paper.

2 Dilute a bit of wood glue with water. Use a paintbrush to apply the diluted glue all along the embroidery thread so that it sticks to the cone as you twist it around the shape, working upwards from the bottom.

3 Keep going until you reach the top. You can use more than one colour of embroidery thread, if you prefer. We used two shades each of three different colours.

4 Use the same method to add ‘bling’ to your tree. Twist a length of silver thread around it a few times. Leave the tree to stand overnight to give the glue time to dry and for the tree to set and harden.

5 Remove the cardboard cone from the tree once the glue has dried completely. The baking paper will stick to the embroidery thread, but you must remove it too – it should come off easily.

6 For a neat finish, use a craft knife to remove any bits of hardened glue. Decorate your tree further, if you prefer. We sprinkled ours with glitter and added a star cut from glitter paper.

Text and image: Ideas magazine