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?
October 26th, 2009 on 9:34 pm
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
October 26th, 2009 on 10:07 pm
@ 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.
October 26th, 2009 on 10:32 pm
What a great and cute idea. I love all the things you are doing with the leaves!
October 26th, 2009 on 10:39 pm
The garland is adorable. Can I really let my sewing machine stitch four inches of thread without it going into anything? Really? Weird.
October 26th, 2009 on 10:39 pm
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!
October 26th, 2009 on 10:52 pm
@ 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!
October 27th, 2009 on 5:17 am
That is so pretty! Nice idea.
October 27th, 2009 on 5:35 am
adorable! Don't have a sewing machine but have mini clothesline (I think) clips… and we have the most gorgeous leaves 'round here! Thanks!
October 27th, 2009 on 8:11 am
This turned out great!
October 27th, 2009 on 9:50 am
That turned out lovely! It looks like it came from a store that sells fall decorations.
October 27th, 2009 on 9:52 am
Es preciosa Valerie, me encanta!
October 27th, 2009 on 12:01 pm
Love this idea! So cute. We certainly have a few thousand leaves to spare in our back yard…
October 27th, 2009 on 3:45 pm
Pretty! Clara is getting so big! Your going to have yourself another crafter in no time.
October 27th, 2009 on 7:03 pm
@ Meninheira — Gracias! Es muy facil!
October 27th, 2009 on 8:08 pm
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
October 27th, 2009 on 8:35 pm
Very festive! The leave are just starting to change around here so maybe we'll be able to collect some soon!
October 28th, 2009 on 4:36 am
Not sure I'm ready to have one strung up in my place but I think it looks great!
October 28th, 2009 on 10:55 am
I love this project. Great job!
I'm new to your blog. Nice to meet you, Valerie!
Roeshel
October 28th, 2009 on 5:21 pm
wow! very very beautiful!
October 28th, 2009 on 7:21 pm
Really pretty! I wish we had leaves like that here.
October 28th, 2009 on 7:54 pm
Pretty!
October 28th, 2009 on 11:40 pm
@ 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!
November 6th, 2009 on 8:42 am
Turned out really pretty.
November 19th, 2009 on 11:08 am
This is so pretty. I just love all your projects.
March 1st, 2010 on 5:31 pm
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?
March 1st, 2010 on 6:10 pm
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!