How to Make Fabric Leaf Cut Outs for Decorating Linen
Kitchen, dining, bedroom linens and clothing can be dressed up with leaves for any season. You can make fabric cutouts or appliques of leaves in white, pastels, holiday or autumn colors. Leaf cutouts can be sewn or appliqued to the linen. Leaves can be used from printed, quality cotton cloth, embroidery patterns or line drawings. Cloth that has a minimal fraying feature is the best to use to make fabric leaf cutouts.
Things You'll Need
- Embroidery leaf pattern
- Leaf pattern cloth
- Iron-on adhesive material
- Embroidery thread or floss
- Embroidery needle
Instructions
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1
Wash the leaf print or plain colored cotton cloth to make sure that it is colorfast. This will keep the cloth from bleeding color onto your linens.
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2
Choose a leaf pattern for the project. You can use embroidery machine designs, applique leaf patterns, line drawings or the leaf print cloth. Bold autumn or tropical leaves will be interesting for home decorations, and delicate ivy or plant leaves can be used on clothing.
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3
Follow the instructions for the iron-on adhesive and attach the bond to the leaf fabric. Be sure to use the proper temperature when ironing the fusible material to the back of your leaf cutout cloth.
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4
Embroider white or colorful leaves onto a separate piece of linen or cotton cloth. Outline the sections of the leaves with outline or satin stitch on the print cloth. You can use white on white, light gray or silver on white or vibrant fall colors. The embroidered leaves can be done by hand or machine.
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5
Emphasize the veins in the leaves with a satin stitch. Contrasting embroidery thread or floss colors will show the veins more vividly.
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Cut out each leaf with a pair of very sharp sewing scissors or a craft knife. Cut very slowly. Cut as close to the embroidered area as possible without severing any of the threads. Pin the leaf shapes face up onto the linen. Stitch the leaf cutouts in place with a zigzag or running stitch. Iron the leaf in place on the linen article to complete the project.
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Tips & Warnings
Pre-wash cloth to be sure the color will not bleed onto your linen.
