I love to throw dinner parties. And I love to provide a little something special that adds to the table, and that guests can take home. An autumn dinner inspired these place cards.

While tutoring a young girl in sewing the past few months, I came up with this idea after my first class with her. I had my student sewing on paper to practice her stitching skills, and realized that the results were pretty, versatile and well suited for paper-crafting.

For this easy craft, I combined leaves and paper. Here is all you need to make lovely place cards for your table.

Step 1: Materials and Supplies

Place cards (I got mine at Paper Source, and scored and folded them)
Patterned paper
Small leaf punches, Sizzix or Cricut leaf dies, or scissors
Glue stick
Coordinating thread
Sewing machine
Felt tipped markers, or computer printed names

Step 2: Choosing and Cutting Shapes

For this project I used leaf shapes. But this would be cute with hearts, or other geometric shapes.

Punch or cut shapes from patterned paper.

I recommend using ½’ to 1” long shapes. Use between 3 and 5 leaves per card. If you want to cut your leaves free-hand, just fold paper in half and cut. Pointed ovals are easy to cut, or can cut out maple leaf shapes, oak leaves… a poplar leaf is basically an upside down heart. Use your imagination (or the internet!).

Step 3: Secure Shapes Before Sewing

Use a glue stick to lightly adhere the leaves to the card. Take care not to use a large amount of glue, as it will gum up the needle during the sewing process.

Step 4: Sew Shapes to Card

Once all the cards are glued, sew to secure leaves. Make sure each leaf has at least a couple stitches in it. Using a swirly stitch pattern suggests wind-swept leaves. If you’re apprehensive about stitching free-hand, you can lightly draw a stitch pattern in pencil as a guide.

Step 5: Glue Names to Cards

When all the cards are sewn, hand write guest names or print on computer, cut out, and glue onto cards. Your cards are finished.

Step 6: Final Thoughts

This craft is a great way to introduce children to the sewing process, and even help adults learn how to sew.

Think of the possibilities for all types of cards... perhaps a Christmas gift follow-up is called for? You can also make greeting cards, stationery, and thank-you cards.

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