Leaf Craft: Transferring Leaf to Cloth

This is a really fun and unique craft to do. You can use the muslin to make a little wall hanging, a place mat, a table runner or even a pillow case.

Supplies needed: 

• fresh leaves: don't use dry leaves as the color won't transfer;
• muslin cloth (I purchased the $1.97 per yard, you don't need a high quality one, but depending on what you'd like to use the material for, you may want the thicker kind;
• packing tape; (and regular tape just to place the leaves)
• a pencil
• wax paper or something underneath the material because the color will bleed through onto the surface

Place the leaf face down onto the muslin cloth. Place packing tape over it making sure you completely cover the leaf. Once that is done, you are ready...just being by using a sharpened pencil (not too sharp) to apply pressure the leaf. You will press pretty hard. Using a pencil allows you to see what part of the leaf you have already "drawn over."
You can lift up the tape to take a peak, which allows you to see if you missed any spots.
In some cases, no matter how much pressure you put on, the color will not transfer. 

In the picture below, you can see that I already transferred the color of a pretty dark red leaf. I was then laying a light colored one here. 

Below you can see that I layered four leaves. A very light yellow one barely showed any transfer, so I then added a green leaf right over the muslin. Once I was done with the design, I simply folded the top of the muslin over a stick and used simple white glue to secure it.

 Here is another shot against a blue background, just to give another perspective. This craft isn't just for kids. A lot of the teens in our group really enjoyed doing this in years past and became very creative with what they made. You can choose a variety of leaves to transfer some great colors. For me, it's just very relaxing, feels a little earthy and relaxing and helps me to enjoy the change of season and our beautiful landscape for a little longer than just the few weeks we have in New England where the foliage is breathtaking! 

Please feel free to message me or comment with any questions.