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Learn how to make a fall foliage wreath that never loses it's vibrant autumn colors.
Materials you will need:
Fabric samples in autumn shades of orange, bright yellow, browns, tans and reds.
Matching threads
Sewing machine
Fabric marker or chalk
Plain paper and marker
Pins
Pinking shears (scissors that cut on a zig/zag)
Household scissors
Fiber fill stuffing
Styrafoam or straw wreath base (no smaller than 1 foot in diameter)
Household crafter's glue
Instructions:
Begin by choosing some basic leaf shapes that you enjoy. You may do this by drawing them freehand or tracing actual leaves. Once you have the desired shape(s) chosen, trace them onto your plain paper with a dark marker and cut them out using household scissors. These become your leaf "patterns."
Fold each scrap/sample of fabric in half and using pins, attach the pattern to a section of fabric. Cut out using pinking shears. Repeat this step for as many scraps of fabric as you have chosen. You will need at least 20-30 leaves to create a full look on the finished wreath, as they will be overlapped.
After the leaves are cut, pin each one, wrong sides out and stitch on sewing machine, leaving about a 1.5" opening to turn and stuff. Turn and stuff each leaf. Stitch openings closed by hand or by machine. This step requires the most time.
Once your leaves are created, you are ready to assemble the wreath. Begin gluing leaves to wreath base. You may use a hot glue gun if using a straw wreath base - do not use hot glue on styrafoam as it will melt through the base. Place leaves around entire base. Then, add a few more to cover the sides of base and overlap the top of the initial leaf covering. Be sure to place leaves in different directions for a total foliage effect.
Allow your wreath to dry thoroughly before hanging. You may use a small amount of wire to make a hanger that attaches to the back of the wreath base - or, for best results with a styrafoam base - hang the wreath on a sturdy nail.
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