I have been busy hand-sewing felt oak leaves wherever I go lately! Each leaf doesn’t take very long once you get the hang of a split stitch to create the veins of the leaf (click here to learn the split stitch). What am I doing with all these leaves? Here’s just a few ideas.
This is a work in progress, it will be a sturdy gathering bag made from our walnut stained wool fabric. I’m going to tack the oak leaves across the top of the front and back of the bag. Then maybe add a few felted acorns. This will be the perfect little bag to bring along on those crisp Autumn hikes.
Perhaps you have seen our oak crowns before? I used 7 oak leaves to make each crown.
I tacked the leaves together with the split stitch, adding a few stitches of veining to the top of the leaves, or hiding the stitches within the leaves’ veins.
We love headbands around here so a leaf one is a must. Sew (or glue) the leaf directly onto the headband. I really like Goody headbands to do this with because they are very flexible, stay in place, and don’t hurt the little ladies’ heads.
Can’t resist a festive Autumn garland of felt leaves either. A wreath would be pretty as well!
They make great appliques on sweater bags, scarves, wool skirts, etc…….!
And finally, stitch a leaf to a piece of ribbon and you have a nice bookmark. We are always looking for bookmarks around here, the little ladies like to use real leaves for bookmarks, but they always end up leaving crumpled up dried leaf pieces everywhere! They are quite content with the felt version.
I used real leaves for the patterns. If you don’t have any oaks close by, I scanned some real oak leaves and made oak leaf patterns (from newspaper) to share if you need them. Click here to download them.
So many ideas, so little time! Now to finish that bag, make a wreath, and make those pumpkin cookies I’ve been promising the girls all week! Enjoy your day!
About
I have featured these beauties on my new website. Love them, and can’t wait to work some up myself!
http://www.redroofpatterns.com/2011/03/split-stitched-felt-leaves.html
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I’ve just stumbled on to felting and love your leaf projects. I am interested in the sweater shoulder bag you referenced for leaf applique. Have you posted instructions for the bag? If not, would you be willing to. Thanks for sharing your talent.
I’m sorry G-Mom, my mom made the bag. I wouln’t have a clue how to make one.
These look great!
I help to run a Girl Guide unit in the UK and we are looking for things the girls can make for our Christmas fair… think I will be adding these to the list.
thanks for the inspiration
Oh! I think this is my favorite right now. I’m always up for making pretty things and you’ve topped the list right now. I think even my sister’s grandson would love to do this. He’ll be able to decorate her house during this beautiful Fall. Thanks for sharing such an easy way to make something special. xxoo
Hi Lisa,
I shared your leaf tutorial with my readers, love it!
http://felting.craftgossip.com/2009/10/17/split-stitched-felt-leaves/
Linda
Fektin Craft Gossip
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I love your darling leaves!!! They are so cute and what clever ideas!!!! Thanks for sharing!
Wow! I really love all these ideas!
your leaves are wonderful and I love how you do so much with them!
great idea! I love it – just have to remember for autumn!
Such a great idea! And those leaves are simply beautiful.
These leaves are so beautiful!
I love them all! I have ‘sewaphobia’ but seeing these makes me want to get out my one needle and give it a go.
Just lovely!
Blessings and magic.
You are a craft goddess! I consider a good craft day when my youngest builds fortresses out in the sand pile and my eldest composes something on the computer. Maybe someday…for now the garden eats up too much time, but we eat up a lot of garden, so I guess that’s how it works.
Those are splendid! I love the headband and garland!
Happy Fall!!
All fabulous ideas for your beautiful leaves. I LOVE the bag idea and the garlands are so pretty. It’s a nice way to keep the color and feeling of autumn in your home year round!
What wonderful ideas you have! I am always finding good tips and fun ideas here, some of which I want to share with my nephews. Thanks!
Thanks for a rich selection of ideas for your beautiful oak leaves! I love this posting! Beth
oh I love this crown! “rushes over to felt stash…”
The leaves are just beautiful and goodness – so many ideas! I think the little ladies’ headbands are my favourite – or maybe the applique, or the gathering bag. Eeek, they’re ALL lovely
Oooooh, love them! I’ve been busy making maple leaves out of felt for our nature table and a fall banner as well. I’ll have to add your oak leaf now!
Love that sweater bag! Have you blogged about that? I would love to make one!
Your leaves are sew pretty and I too enjoy the suggestions but that last bag, a repurposed felted sweater? Is gorgeous!
So many good ideas!
adorable…love it all:)
very very cute and creative!
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com
I really like your felt leaves and enjoyed reading all of your suggestions for how to use them. The bookmark is a great idea, and so it the gathering bag. Thank you!
I love them. And I love the colors you picked. Especially the blue to go with the others. I have some felt that I wanted to do a felt leaf garland. Haven’t gotten to it yet. The embroidered veins is a very nice touch.
I like them as appliques. Pumpkin cookies? yum.
i really do love these leaves!