Monday, October 26, 2009

Beautiful Autumn Leaf Garland


We thought the dining room (aka sewing studio) could use some decorating this season, so Emily gathered up some leaves earlier in the day and we got to work on this beautiful garland for some late night crafting.

Emily had been begging me to do the waxed paper leaf collage for a long time, but I don't know... it seemed kinda... *yawn*. Boring. But, when we thought of this project, we both got so excited about it.

The garland turned out even better than I had anticipated, and we had so much fun putting it together! From start to finish, it took about five minutes.


To make your own Autumn leaf garland, you will need some leaves, waxed paper, and a sewing machine or serger (you may call this an over-lock machine). Begin by laying down your leaves on top of some waxed paper. It helps if the leaves have been pressed first for a few days, but if you are particularly impatient (as my five year old sometimes is.... ahem) that isn't necessary.


Sandwich the leaves between two sheets of waxed paper, as shown. Be sure to have plenty of space between the leaves.


Use a cloth to cover over the top....


...now iron until the wax paper melts together.


Trim the edges as shown.


Using your serger, or sewing machine, start with a tail of thread about 4 inches long.


Stitch through the top of the leaf square, and continue with just the thread for another four inches, stitch through the top of another leaf square. Repeat this step until all the leaves have been stitched to make a garland.


Hang proudly for all to see!



I think Clara approves of our taste in home decor, don't you?

26 comments:

Mark said...

Dear Valerie,

Will we ever get our dining room back, or am I expected to eat a felt and thread salad? I am getting older, but I don't need that much fiber yet.

Love,
Mark

Valerie @ Inner Child Fun said...

@ Mark -- We have an eat-in kitchen. What do we need a dining room for, anyway? Besides, I've heard felt tastes better than Metamucil, so you'll thank me later.

Lisa Anne said...

What a great and cute idea. I love all the things you are doing with the leaves!

Anna said...

The garland is adorable. Can I really let my sewing machine stitch four inches of thread without it going into anything? Really? Weird.

Katie said...

Very cool idea! I saw Martha Stewart make a photo banner like that, stitching pictures backed with paper together the same way. Love this autumn inspired one even more!

Valerie @ Inner Child Fun said...

@ Ivy -- Yes, really! It's great fun, try it! Only difference you'll notice is that yours will have two threads, and the one I made with the serger uses four threads. It will still work, and I'm sure it will look great!

Christy Killoran said...

That is so pretty! Nice idea.

Jessica Ryan said...

adorable! Don't have a sewing machine but have mini clothesline (I think) clips... and we have the most gorgeous leaves 'round here! Thanks!

maryanne said...

This turned out great!

Petula said...

That turned out lovely! It looks like it came from a store that sells fall decorations.

♥ meninheira ♥ said...

Es preciosa Valerie, me encanta! :)

Lynn said...

Love this idea! So cute. We certainly have a few thousand leaves to spare in our back yard...

Mama King said...

Pretty! Clara is getting so big! Your going to have yourself another crafter in no time.

Valerie @ Inner Child Fun said...

@ Meninheira -- Gracias! Es muy facil!

Val in the Rose Garden said...

I bet you could do this very easily with just a sewing machine and some ribbon too. What a great idea! I may have to make one... although I am really enjoying reading right now... crafting may have to wait until I am done with the new Diana Gabaldon book. ;)

Val

Denise said...

Very festive! The leave are just starting to change around here so maybe we'll be able to collect some soon!

Lawrence said...

Not sure I'm ready to have one strung up in my place but I think it looks great!

Roeshel said...

I love this project. Great job! :)

I'm new to your blog. Nice to meet you, Valerie! :)

Roeshel

tiziana said...

wow! very very beautiful!

Wendy @ Ramblings from the Sunshine State said...

Really pretty! I wish we had leaves like that here.

Stephanie Griffith said...

Pretty!

Valerie @ Inner Child Fun said...

@ Roeshel -- Welcome! I just visited your blog, and it is soooo right up my ally. I'm so glad you stopped by and left a comment so I could find your site!

Niki Jolene said...

Turned out really pretty.

:)

Lisa said...

This is so pretty. I just love all your projects.

Regina @ Chalk In My Pocket said...

WOW, this is so simple and fantastically beautiful. I just brought my sewing machine out of the attic and as a (very) beginner sewer this looks like something I can totally accomplish. What a great way to preserve leaves...how long did they keep their fall color?

Valerie @ Inner Child Fun said...

Thanks, Regina! Since the leaves are encased in wax paper and do not have contact with the air, they keep their colors for a very long time. Ours are still going strong, and it's been several months now! :-)

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