Felt Leaf Garland

We've got a great park just across the (dead end) street from our house. It has so many different kinds of trees, and the leaves are just starting to turn colors.

I wanted to make a garland to bring some of those shapes and colors inside. Preserved leaves are nice, but not enough of them have changed color yet here, and I wanted something a little softer.

I think I'm going to make more because it was fun to do. I think Benjamin's preschool class might like one for their window... :)


You will need:

felt in assorted colors (I used Eco-fi, which is made from recycled bottles)
string or cord for the garland
beads (optional)
flour
scissors
acrylic paint
leaves from various trees

Step 1: Gather and Trace Leaves

Gathering leaves probably deserves its own step, but I didn't take pictures of walking through the park, looking at trees, and choosing leaves.

It's good to get a variety of leaf sizes for each type, in case you get home and realize some are either too small or too big to look okay with the rest of the design. I tried to get leaves that weren't all dried out yet. It's easier to trace them if you can flatten them without breaking them.

Tracing leaves with a pen or marker would take too long. I used a powder instead. I put some flour on a plate, dabbed it with a roll of felt, then dabbed the flour onto the leaf and felt. It worked really well, and the flour wasn't a problem removing after I'd cut out all the leaves.

Comments

[mezcraft]

This is really pretty, I like how you used the flour to get your design on the felt. Smart...

[scurtiss]

Just completed this project.. It looks pretty good, but since I had the help of children its not a neat as the author made. It did help to have felt in autumn colors and I should have used darker paints. A little time consuming for preschooler or Kindergartners to attempt but a great project for older children. Also, would be neat to incorporated Christmas items and then use as homemade garland for a tree. The flour tip was very helpful.

[urbanwoodswalker]

I found this inspiring this morning...not only the recycled felt content (I will be searching for Eco-Fi ) but the use of the flour as a way to make quick fast patterns is brilliant and also very eco friendly. Thanks for a really neat project! It turned out beautiful! I could see making one for every season...with house plant leaves, and spring spouts too! Maybe even with fresh produce from the farmers market...like beet or carrot leaves, and basil, and on it goes.

[susanrm]

Pretty! I like it!

[Servelan]

Not just garlands - napkin rings, placemats, wreaths.....cool idea!

[porcupinemamma]

Very pretty!!! I wonder what adding tiny amber coloured lights in the string might look like? (not that i've even ever seen amber coloured lights lol)
Your garland could be used as a table runner or trim on a table cloth. etc. Such a cool idea you have!

[ChrysN]

Pretty! That's a smart way to outline the shape of the leaves.

[Kiteman]

That's cool - for a classroom, some kids could make their own leaves.

[Penolopy Bulnick]

What a neat and easy to clean up way to outline the leaves! The finished product looks great and it looks like so much fun to make and paint!