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Fall Decorating with Leaves

Leaf colors are changing and there's already a small pile of leaves under my backyard tree. Time to start my annual leaf collection—and I don't mean raking! At this time of the year I love to pick up pretty leaves on my weekend power-walks. I'm attracted by color, but also by the interesting shapes of different leaf varieties. There they are, laid out on the ground in front of me, free for the taking—and perfect for Fall decorating!

For a luncheon with the ladies, I devised this fun table setting. Placemats are actually simple two-sided napkins that I folded into a striking design. I placed two contrasting pressed leaves in the center of each 'placemat' and topped them with a clear glass plate. Napkins were cut from a fall-colored stripe from my fabric stash and tied with a pretty ribbon. A pressed leaf and wooden acorn add autumn ambiance to the napkin.

For a centerpiece, I placed a favorite bowl on a wire riser and filled the bowl with real and faux fall fruits, seeds, and flowers. Leaves (right off the ground) will dry beautifully in the bowl and pinecones, seed pods, and acorns add color and texture. I dry bunches of yarrow by hanging them upside down from the rafters in my garage and use the dried flowers for my fall centerpieces.

 

I made simple and fun place cards for my ladies' luncheon by pulling out my small ceramic and wooden fall collectibles and making mini nametags using scrapbook supplies. Cute and fun!

To complete my fall leaves theme, I like to hang a pretty quilt on the wall. There is a lovely leaf quilt found in my book, Greenwood Gardens, or sew our Quilt Project of the Month, Window to Nature. I also placed framed leaves on the buffet to carry the theme around the room.

Once you start working with preserved leaves, you'll find dozens of ways to use them in your decorating. Enjoy this bountiful decorating accessory!

Making Reversible Napkins

Supply list for Two Napkins

Making the Napkins

  1. Position and sew 16 1/2” Fabric A and Fabric B squares, right sides together, using a 1/4”-wide seam allowance and leaving a 4” opening for turning.
  2. Clip corners and turn right side out. Press. Hand-stitch opening closed.
  3. If desired, edge-stitch or top-stitch close to edge of napkins.

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