11/13/2009
By CATHIE FILIAN
Scripps Howard News Service
The colors in fall leaves remind me of the rust, gold and olive sections of a boutique quilt shop. Each leaf and each bolt of fabric has a unique color and pattern. These qualities are the inspiration for making fabric fall leaves. This project is perfect for families to make together. All the different leaf shapes and rich colors will inspire kids to get creative, and parents will love the results.
The leaves can be used as place-card holders for Thanksgiving dinner or mantel decorations or ornaments, and can be any shape. To use the fabric leaves as a mantel decoration, scatter them across the top of the mantel or string them together and hang as a garland. To use them as an ornament, string tiny ribbons through the eyelets and hang on rustic branches or in the trees.
The leaves also can be used for floral crafts. They make a wonderful addition to a rustic front-door wreath. All you need is a little hot glue to attach them to the wreath. If you have a silk arrangement that needs a bit of sprucing, all you need to do is add a fabric fall leaf.
To get started, you will want to choose the style of leaf you want to make and create a paper template of the leaf. To make the template, trace the leaves onto paper or use computer printouts of leaf images.
Get the supplies
The basic supplies you will need are scraps of fall-colored printed fabric, Stiffy fabric stiffener, a large old bowl, clip hangers and scissors. To embellish the leaves, you will need an eyelet setter, eyelets, a printed-paper nametag and decorative thin ribbon.
The first step is to stiffen the fabric by pouring the Stiffy into a large old bowl. Dip the pieces of fabric into the Stiffy until they are saturated. Remove the excess Stiffy by pressing your fingers. Don’t wring the pieces. Hang on clip hangers or a clothesline, smooth out the pieces and dry for about one hour.
Next, trace around the leaf templates with a pencil onto the dry pieces and cut out.
To create a Thanksgiving place-card holder, layer two leaves on top of each other, and attach with a decorative eyelet. Create a printed-paper nametag by either printing one from a computer or making one with stickers. Attach an eyelet to the top of the tag. Thread the tag and leaves onto a ribbon, and tie with a decorative bow. Place one at each place setting.

n  Cathie Filian is a handcraft designer and book author. Learn more about Cathie at her blog www.cathiefilian.com.