Ashbee Design Silhouette Projects: Four-Panel Tree Silhouette Tutorial

Project Description: The multi-panel tree design is one that I use frequently in several different styles. I am making one tutorial for each construction variety (four-panel, three-panel and who knows what else I'll come up with). I probably won't make a tutorial for each design variation (stars, hearts, etc) unless there is something special about the construction technique. The first design in the four-panel variety I just created as a centerpiece for Independence Day but don't limit yourself. I chose red, white and blue because of the season but imagine this same file cut in gold and black for either New Year's Eve or an Oscar party. Or even create the trees in bright pinks, greens and blues for a preteen's "You're a Star" birthday party.

Note:

I am a new Silhouette Contributing Artist. Both my Silhouette files and this website are the beginning. Send along any suggestions, problems, ideas or photos as we learn to create together. I'd love to hear from you! Marji Roy
eMail: ashbeedesignemail@gmail.com

The download is currently at 3DCuts.com. The download includes files in SVG, DXF and PDF formats. The SVG files can be opened in Silhouette (Design Studio requires) or Cricut Exlpore. The PDF can be cut by hand.

Supplies Needed:

Template from 3DCuts.com here.
Quick drying paper glue
Binder Clips or Paper Clips (optional)
Silhouette Cameo
Card Stock

Steps for completing the 3-D Four Panel Tree project:

1. Download the cutting file for your Silhouette Cutting machine from the 3DCuts.com for the Tree of Stars.

2. Prepare the files:
The downloaded Silhouette file for the Tree of Stars looks like this.

The file contains 2 identical trees. They can be cut as is from 8.5 x 11 card stock or you can copy one tree into a new file and enlarge it to the full size. For a four-panel tree you need to cut 4 tree pieces.

Below are steps to copy and enlarge if needed.

Right click on one tree and COPY it ( or EDIT MENU to COPY).
Open a new Silhouette File by going to the FILE MENU and selecting NEW.
Go up to the EDIT MENU and select PASTE.
Click and drag from the lower corner to expand the design. Hold the shift key down as you do this to keep the pattern in proportion.

3. Cut the file.

These are the cut settings I used with the 65 lb card stock used on this project. You may need to use different settings depending on your card stock.

4. Assemble.

You will be gluing the tips of the four panels together.
Line up your four tree patterns. The Tree of Stars is an asymmetrical pattern which means you must pay careful attention to which sides you glue together.
Line up your panels so that the same edges match on two pairs. If you look carefully at the pattern you will notice one long edge has 3 smaller stars, the other has 5. Start with the side with 3.

Glue one edge of two sets of trees together, putting glue on just the tips of the side with 3 little stars.
I use Zig glue, and worked to get the pieces together while it was still blue to give a permanent bond.
I like to use little binder clips to hold the glued joints together until they dry.

Repeat with the other pair of trees.

Open the tree pairs and create a soft fold crease at the top. This helps you align the two pairs together. Just crease the top star.

The two pairs will be glued together to form a four-panel tree. It will look like this from the bottom with the tips glued together and the trees curving.

To asssemble the two pairs together, apply glue to the side of a panel with 5 little stars.

Line up the five-star side from the other pair and add binders clips or paper clips to hold in place. Allow to dry. This is tricky because the little star points get caught in each other.
It works best to line up and clip a couple of the bigger stars and then do the same with the smaller ones.

Line up the five-star side from the other pair and add binders clips or paper clips to hold in place. Allow to dry. This is tricky because the little star points get caught in each other. The binders clips were extremely helpful in this step. I just ordered a box of little ones to have more on hand!

The cutting file also includes some extra stars. Re-size those to work with whatever tree size you created and cut one out of contrasting paper to slide into the top of the tree.

And then make more......

And celebrate!

2014 update: I recently received the following photo from crafter Lyn Nash. She used my 3D star tree for a Christmas Centerpiece using gold paper. She also added a fiber optic tiny tree in the center which adds an internal glow. Thanks for sharing Lyn!