Fall Leaves Garland D.I.Y.

A fall leaves garland is a simple handmade decoration for welcoming the new season. With felt, yarn, and a few basic sewing supplies, you can create a strand of colorful leaves to display around your home. Make it as long or short as you like, and choose colors that suit your space.

How to Make a Fall Leaves Garland

This project uses felt leaves joined with yarn. Embroidery thread is another option: it is finer and may be easier to sew through the felt, while yarn gives the finished garland a more textured look. Use whichever material works best with your leaves and needle.

1. Cut out the leaves. Cut as many felt leaves as you want for your garland. Repeating a few leaf shapes can make cutting quicker, while varied shapes create a more informal look.
2. Stitch the leaves together. Use yarn or embroidery thread to connect the felt pieces. Leave a little space between leaves if you want them to hang separately. This is a portable, low-key craft that can be worked on in short stretches.
3. Secure the ends. Tie knots at the ends of the felt leaves and at the ends of the yarn to help prevent fraying. Check that the knots are secure before hanging the finished garland.
4. Choose a display spot. Drape the garland in a doorway, across a mantel, or along a bed frame. Before hanging it, make sure the surface or support can hold it without pulling on the felt or thread.

Helpful Tips for Finishing

Keep the stitches consistent so the leaves are less likely to shift along the strand. If the yarn is difficult to thread through the felt, try embroidery thread instead. For a longer garland, add leaves gradually and check the overall length as you work; this helps you avoid making more than you need.

Because felt and yarn can catch or stretch, handle the garland gently when moving or storing it. Lay it loosely in a container between seasons rather than winding it tightly, which can help prevent tangles and creases.

The earlier version of this garland, made in 2008, used embroidery thread rather than yarn. Both materials can be used to join felt leaves, so the choice can come down to the look and texture you prefer.

Display Your Fall Leaves Garland

A handmade fall leaves garland adds a seasonal detail to a doorway, mantel, or bed frame. Once the leaves are stitched together and the ends are knotted, hang it where it can be seen without obstructing a walkway. Enjoy adjusting the colors, spacing, and length to suit your home.

— Elsie