Dare to Make It: Holiday

How to Make Leaf-Print Napkins for Your Holiday Table

kayte terry, contributor

48 users recommend

Dress up your holiday table with these harvest-colored napkins.

Kayte Terry

If you're new to this, you might want to practice on some test scraps first.

Kayte Terry

I chose autumnal colors for my leaves, but shades of green would be pretty, too!

Kayte Terry

Dress up your holiday table with these harvest-colored napkins.

Photo: Kayte Terry

Add Comment
Print

Nothing says autumn more than the harvest colors of fallen leaves. Make these simple napkins to dress up your holiday table and capture the fleeting beauty of fall.

If you don't want to make the napkins, skip the "Making the Napkins" instructions and print leaves on solid napkins you already have.

What you'll need (makes four napkins):

• A selection of leaves in different shapes (make sure they aren't too brittle)
• 1 yard solid cotton or linen
• Waxed paper or newsprint
• Sponge brush
• Fabric paint 
• Brayer
• Iron
• Rotary cutter and mat 
• Sewing machine and thread

Printing the Leaves
1. Lay your fabric out on a large, flat surface. Make sure your surface is protected with waxed paper or newsprint.

I chose autumnal colors for my leaves, but shades of green would be pretty, too!

2. Lay out another small sheet of waxed paper, and lay one leaf front side down on it.

Daub, rather than brush, fabric paint on the leaves to coat. Don't forget to get a little paint on the stem!

Add Comment Print

Pretty Up a Party with Paper  

Back to List

Comments (4)

Nodan writes: It's great ideas. But it's too easy to soil the clean napkin.
Posted: 4:37 am on February 5th

BeadyLittleEyes writes: I am going to have to give this a try. Thanksgiving is really the only holiday that I use my dining room table.
Posted: 5:32 pm on August 31st

Grandmagwen writes: I have used metallic gold and copper on deep red and on burgandy materials. Love it too.
Posted: 8:37 pm on November 19th

BrickHouseFabrics writes: I had some similar, done with metallic gold paint for the fall... I loved them!
Posted: 2:47 pm on August 3rd

You must be logged in to post comments. Log in.