Fall leaf lacing is a fun beginner sewing project for kids. Learning to sew is an easy way to develop the fine motor muscles in the hand necessary for writing and more detailed handwork. Using sturdy fall leaves to learn how to sew instead of lacing cards makes this sewing lesson for kids both economical and eco-friendly.
Make fall leaves into homemade lacing cards with this easy fall leaf sewing activity for kids!
Easy sewing projects, such as fall leaf lacing, makes learning how to sew for children of all ages. Using sturdy fall leaves makes this beginner sewing project both economical and eco-friendly.
Try this sewing idea for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners at home or in the classroom. The complete step by step directions for this fall-themed beginner sewing project for kids can be found below.
Related: Teach Kids to Sew with Burlap and Yarn
Related: Top 10 Fall Nature Crafts
Fall Leaf Beginner Sewing Project for Kids
Make DIY lacing cards out of real fall leaves, for a fun and easy way to help kids develop the fine motor muscles in the hand, and, learn how to sew.
Learning to sew with fall leaves is an easy sewing project for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners.
Beginner sewing projects like fall leaf sewing can help children developing fine motor skills and prepare them for writing and more detailed sewing projects such as how to sew a button.
Related: Felt Lovebirds Beginning Sewing Project
Fall Leaf DIY Lacing Cards and Sewing Materials
- Sturdy fall leaves. We used magnolia leaves.
- Mod Podge
(optional) - Foam Brush (optional)
- Single hole punch
- Blunt darning needle
- Cotton yarn or cotton embroidery thread
- Scissors
(optional)
(optional)
or 
Have a look at more of our favorite beginner sewing supplies for kids HERE!
Related: Fall Leaves Watercolor Painting
Fall Leaf Sewing Project Step by Step Directions
Kids of all ages will LOVE this beginner sewing project, try fall leaf sewing today!
Gather sturdy fall leaves, punch holes in them to turn them into eco-friendly DIY lacing cards, and then invite children to practice sewing a simple running stitch along the edge.
Follow the complete step by step directions for this sewing idea for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners to make your own homemade fall leaf lacing cards.
Related: Narwhal Sewing Project
Step 1 – Mod Podge Fall Leaves (optional).
Use a foam brush
to paint Mod Podge
onto both sides of the leaf if you would like to preserve them before making DIY lacing cards with them.
This step is optional – you do not have to preserve leaves for this activity to work.
Note: We used Magnolia leaves to make our homemade lacing cards. We did not preserve our fall leaves for this beginner sewing project, and they worked great!
Step 2 – Punch holes in a sturdy fall leaf to make leaf lacing cards
Get outside to pick some sturdy fall leaves to make our fall leaf DIY lacing cards for toddlers or anyone learning how to sew. We used leaves from the magnolia tree in our front yard to make lacing cards.
Use a single hole punch to make a lacing pattern around the edges of the fall leaves as shown in the photo below.
For another fun leaf sewing idea, try punching different designs that you would like to sew into the leaf.
Step 3 – Thread a darning needle with yarn and/or embroidery thread.
- Cut one or more sections of yarn and thread through the eye of a blunt darning needle.
- Tie yarn sections together to make a large knot.
- Make sure that the knot can not pull through the first hole in the fall leaf, before inviting children to give fall leaf sewing a try.
Step 4 – Invite children to sew fall leaves
- Use fall leaves the same way lacing cards are used.
- Invite children to try leaf sewing. Have them dolphin up and down in order to sew a simple running stitch along the edge of the fall leaf.
- If your child has never tried any other lacing or sewing projects for kids, demonstrate how to sew a fall leaf first. Young children learn best by watching and imitating others.
are used.
Related: Leaf Baby Craft
Fall Leaf Lacing Cards Sewing Idea
Fall leaf lacing is an easy beginner sewing project, and, a fun way for kids to develop strong fine motor skills. Sewing with kids is an easy way to develop the fine motor muscles in the hand necessary for writing and more detailed handwork.
Using sturdy fall leaves makes this beginning sewing lesson for kids and autumn-themed fine motor activity both eco-friendly and economical. For more autumn fun check out ways to celebrate the fall autumnal equinox and our Top 10 Fall Crafts.
Don’t forget to check out this amazing collection of fall art projects for kids and our fall bucket list filled with fall activities for even more autumn-themed fun.
Learn More about Rhythms of Play HERE!
More Beginner Sewing Projects for Kids
- Teaching Kids How to Sew with Burlap and Yarn
- Pocket Pet Mouse
- Lovebirds Sewing Project
- Narwhal Sewing Project
- How to Sew a Button
More Fall Leaf Crafts
- Best Fall Nature Crafts
- Nature-Inspired Sensory Bottles
- Watercolor and Fall Leaves Art
- Fall Leaf Baby Craft
- Turkey Leaf Mason Jar Lantern
- Heart Leaf Lanterns
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I can’t wait to do with with my daughter! She loves threading <3 This will be a fun way to bring in autumn!
My daughter loved it, so I’m sure yours will too. They are so beautiful when they are finished.