Living the Dream : Give Thanks Leaf Garland Tutorial

Remember when I posted this Fall Leaf Garland Tutorial?

I have another tutorial for you based on the fall leaf garland!

I present to you my Give Thanks Leaf Garland tutorial!

1. Gather your supplies.

Just like for the fall leaf garland, you'll need felt in fall colors (I used gold, deep red, and dark green), embroidery thread (I used orange, brown and yellow), hot glue, and some twine (or other hanging material of your choice).

You will specifically need 5 sheets of tan felt.

You will also need 3 sheets of cream felt.

All of these things can be purchased at JoAnn's - get a coupon go crazy.

You will also need a sewing machine and tan thread. Don't let this scare you! I'm not a seamstress and even I can do it.

2. Print out fall leaf shapes

I found the leaf shapes I liked from craftjr.com

Print and cut these out on something sturdy like card-stock as they're going to get traced a quite a few times. Don't cut out the stem - you just want the leaf shape.

3. Print out your "Give Thanks" lettering.

A link to the lettering in my preferred font can be found here.

If you choose your own font, you're going to want to print out your lettering quite large. Like size 350. These don't need to be printed out on something sturdy as you're only going to be tracing each letter once.

4. Trace your leaves onto your felt colors, minus the tan felt.

You'll want 5 maple leaves and 5 oak leaves.

5. Cut those leaves out.

For steps 4 and 5, pick a show you enjoy to watch while you trace and cut. You can see this post for my recommendations of fun TV shows.

6. Embroider the edge of your leaves.

Again, turn on another show and enjoy yourself while you stitch around the edges of your leaves.

7. Trace your "Give Thanks" lettering onto your cream felt.

You are going to want to trace these letters backwards so you can't see the tracing lines.

8. Cut out your lettering.

For steps 7 and 8, put on another episode of whatever you're watching and have fun!

9. Cut each of your tan felt sheets in half hamburger style.

This will give you 10 sheets that are 9x6"

10. Sew an inch hem along the 6" edge of each of your tan felt sheets.

This hem doesn't have to be perfectly straight, but do your best.

This will leave you with 10 8"x6" sheets.

11. Bust out that hot glue gun and glue your leaves to your tan felt.

I would recommend not gluing them right in the center of your tan felt, but slightly more towards the top where the hem is. Just like with the Fall Leaf Garland, set some of your leaves askew.

12. Keep that hot glue momentum up and glue your lettering onto your leaves and tan felt.