A pallet Christmas tree was all I wanted this year. I have visions of two of them on either side of my mantle. So, I got inspired and decided to kick off some Christmas crafting a bit early and created some easy pallet Christmas tree instructions that anyone can follow!
How To Make Pallet Christmas Tree
These pallet Christmas trees are actually really easy to make as you can buy the Christmas trees premade!
Yep, that is right, I said premade!
Read on to find out more about this pallet Christmas tree idea and how you can make your own customized pallet tree!
Supplies Needed To Make Pallet Christmas Tree
- Pallet tree (click here to purchase one premade or click here to learn how to make one)
- Decoart Vintage Effect Wash (in white and grey)
- Paintbrush
- Rags
- Lumberjack plaid flannel
- Cricut Maker (Want to see the difference between the machines? I compared the Cricut Maker and Explore here.) NOTE: My recommendation is to use the Maker for all fabric projects including this one.
- Burlap
- Stiff felt in white
- Tacky glue
- Twine
- Staple gun
Step 1: Paint Pallet Christmas Tree
Start with the pallet Christmas tree and the Vintage Effect Wash. Paint on a coat of grey first, allow to sit a few minutes, and then wipe away any excess with a rag.
Want to see more about this product? You can click here for a video I did all about how to use this product and its effect on different surfaces.
Basically, it washes the surface with color while still leaving a bit of the wood grain to show through. It is perfect for farmhouse-style projects like this one.
This time, however, I wanted to use two different colors of the wash on one project. I used the grey first and then the white.
Once you wipe away the excess with the grey, go right on top with the white. Allow to sit for a few minutes and then wipe away the excess with a rag. This gives your project a lighter grey appearance.
In the following picture, the one on the right just has grey while the one on the left has the white over the grey. Continue until your entire pallet Christmas tree has been covered. Set aside and allow to dry.
Step 2: Cut Fabric & Burlap
You can now begin to cut your fabric.
There are enough pieces in the file to make two of the trees shown. Including two stars to cut from burlap, two from stiff white felt, and many, many flannel flags.
Remove all of your items from the Cricut mat once your cuts are complete. Then iron the flags in half as shown below. You might also have to trim a few stray threads from the flannel with scissors.
Use caution when removing the burlap from the mat! It will fray and fall apart so just carefully lift it to keep it in one piece. Then you will layer the burlap over the stiff white felt. Use tacky glue all the way around the edges of the burlap and put it on top of the felt star. Set aside to dry.
Step 3: Add Flags & Stars To Pallet Christmas Tree
Once your tree is dry, start laying out your flannel flags onto the pallet Christmas tree any way that you like.
Then add the flags to the twine using tacky glue all the way around the edges as shown below. Wrap around the twine and press together. These will then need to dry.
Be sure to leave excess twine in between rows as shown below in order to be able to wrap around the back and secure into place.
Once everything is dry, you can begin to assemble your pallet Christmas tree project. Use a staple gun on the back to secure each row of twine into place.
On the ends, you also want to use the staple gun, but tie the twine around it as well.
Glue your star to the top of the tree with tacky glue. Set your entire pallet Christmas tree project aside and make sure it is completely dry before using it in your farmhouse holiday decor.
This rustic pallet Christmas tree is perfect for those who want to add a little farmhouse style to their Christmas decor this year!
I love how this one turned out! Y’all stay tuned to see them on either side of my mantle once my Christmas decorations go up. I can’t wait to add them!
Don’t love the plaid? Pick any fabric you love! I have cut several fabrics with my Cricut Maker and each one turned out perfectly.
Be sure to make your own pallet Christmas tree…or two!
FAQs About Pallet Christmas Tree
Here are a couple of questions that I see readers ask about this pallet Christmas tree. If you have a question, please check to see if I’ve already answered it below. Don’t see your question? Leave it for me in the comments!
Where Can I Buy Pre-Made Pallet Trees?
You can buy pre-made pallet trees online or at your local craft store.
Can I Make My Own Pallet Tree?
Absolutely! As mentioned above, you can easily purchase a premade pallet tree and use it for your pallet Christmas tree projects. But if you want to be more hands-on, you can make your own pallet tree.
However, before you start sawing away, you should first read these must-know tips when making your own pallet tree:
- Do this project outside.
- Lay down a good-sized tarp to catch shavings for easier cleanup.
- Wear proper safety equipment.
- Be careful as pallet wood can cause splinters.
- Sand your pallet tree.
- Be cautious as there could be old screws or nails in pallet wood.
Do I Need A Cricut Maker For This Project?
Technically, no. The Cricut Explore series, Cricut Joy, Cricut Joy Xtra, and Cricut Venture can all cut fabric. However, my recommendation is to use the Maker for this project because it can cut both fannel and burlap.
Now, if you want to use another machine, the only thing to keep in mind is that each Cricut machine is different regarding project size capabilities and the materials it can cut. So, depending on your project, you might need to resize the file or cut it out in a different material.
If you are brand new to cutting fabric with your Cricut machine, check out my Cutting Fabric with Cricut Machines blog post, where I go over each machine and the fabric it can cut in more detail.
Can I Make This Project Without A Cricut Machine?
Yes! Even though it will make the project longer, you can easily follow the instructions in this tutorial to create a basic pattern for your banner/star, then cut it out by hand with scissors.
5 Rustic Christmas Crafts
Did you love this pallet Christmas tree and are looking for more rustic Christmas crafts? Then check out the projects below!
- Plaid Christmas Table Ideas
- DIY Rustic Felt Christmas Tree
- Burlap and Plaid Table Runner
- Rustic Wooden Reindeer Centerpiece
- Plaid and Burlap Ornaments
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Really nice trees, love how the plaid flags look wound around trees, better way to decorate than trying to put ornaments on trees. Had never heard of pallet trees being made to sell.
.Mr.Furry made 2 trees with pallet wood in Dec.2014 to sell at craft show we were in. Trees didn’t sell but looked pretty cute in front yard last Christmas with lights on them. Mr.Furry drilled holes for the lights last year upon my requests, (several requests actually), until he relented and drilled holes for lights, lol. Even he had to admit trees looked much better with lights shining. We don’t always/(rarely ever) have same vision of what projects should turn out like.
Now to get him to make couple snow people. Well a person can try. and hopefully we have more snow this winter.
I looked for few of the new paint types today at Hobby Lobby, not at ours as usual. Hate to have to but if needed will order online when I have some money. Grand Junction is too often behind other areas getting new items. Will go into HL or Michaels to ask about new paints for example, and get the “what are you talking about” stare but they can sure load up store with Christmas in June.
Look forward to seeing your pallet trees by your hearth when you holiday decorate.
Happy week Angie.
We only have a Hobby Lobby here and I swear are the last to get anything!! Your trees sound amazing Jane!
So cute! These would be great out on the front porch! Great idea!
So cute! My husband has a bunch of pallets lying around… wonder if I could get him to make up a bunch of them; they’d make adorable Christmas gifts! Pinned.
These have turned out very cute. I haven’t seen the pallet trees to buy- they look so versatile.
That’s really cute Angie. I love how you added the plaid flags to the tree. That pop of red against the whitish grey wood looks so Christmassy and no it’s wrong to put up Christmas decor before Thanksgiving, well not here in South Africa anyways 😉
These are precious! My husband just switched jobs to one where he has great access to pallets so we were planning on making these this year, but the flannel just convinved me 100% we have to do it this weekend!
Angie, this tree is really special. I just love it!
Saw it on the #HomeMattersParty and pinned it.