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.
Learning to sew with fall leaves is an easy sewing project for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and beginners of all ages. Make fall leaves into homemade lacing cards with this easy fall leaf sewing activity for kids! Using sturdy fall leaves makes this beginner sewing project both economical and eco-friendly.
Alternative leaf sewing ideas for more advanced sewing students are also included. Easy sewing projects for kids, such as fall leaf lacing, make learning how to sew FUN for children of all ages.
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 are listed below.
Related: Teach Kids to Sew with Burlap and Yarn
Related: Top 10 Fall Nature Crafts
Fall Leaf Beginner Sewing Project for Kids
Teaching toddlers and preschoolers how to sew is a great way to help them strengthen their hand muscles. Make DIY lacing cards out of natural fall leaves for a fun and easy way to help young children develop more control over the fine motor muscles in their hands.
Beginner sewing projects like fall leaf sewing can help children develop fine motor skills and prepare them for writing and more detailed sewing projects such as sewing a button.
Related: Felt Lovebirds Beginning Sewing Project
Sewing Materials for FALL LEAF DIY LACING CARDS
Would you please read the sewing project instructions before deciding on the sewing supplies that you will use? We have a few different types of sewing materials depending on the ability of the student you are (or have) and the kind of fall leaf sewing project you would like to do.
- Sturdy fall leaves (Magnolia leaves are pictured here)
- Mod Podge
(optional) - Foam Brush (optional)
- Single hole punch AND blunt darning needle OR large eye stitching needle
- Cotton yarn OR cotton embroidery thread
- Scissors
- Sewing thimble for kids (optional)
(optional)
(optional)
OR 
Please look at our Amazon list if you would like to see more of our favorite 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! Using sturdy fall leaves to learn how to sew instead of lacing cards makes this beginner sewing project economical and eco-friendly.
First, get outside to collect sturdy fall leaves. Next, follow the step-by-step instructions to make your own homemade fall leaf lacing cards. Then, invite toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners to try this easy beginner sewing idea for kids!
Finally, show children how to sew a simple running stitch along the edge of the leaf. Invite older children to get creative by sewing designs and patterns. Or, even try to embroider the leaf! Different fall leaves will work for various sewing crafts–experiment, and have fun! The step-by-step DIY lacing card instructions below have all the details you need.
Related: Narwhal Sewing Project
Step 1 – Collect Fall Leaves
Get outside to collect fall leaves that you can use for this autumn-themed sewing activity for kids. For example, we used leaves from magnolia trees to make the lacing cards pictured here.
Gather fall leaves that are sturdy enough to make into fall leaf lacing cards for toddlers and preschoolers–or anyone learning how to sew. Or find leaves that you can stitch with a needle and thread for more advanced sewing students.
You might as well go on a nature hunt for other natural items for fall nature crafts. There are always treasures waiting to be picked up and made into something beautiful.
Step 2 – Preserve Fall Leaves (optional).
This step is optional and doesn’t work well with all leaves. You do not have to preserve leaves for this activity to work. For example, we did NOT preserve the magnolia leaves in the photos showing how to do this beginner sewing project, and they worked great!
If you are working with a different leaf type and would like to try preserving it before turning it into a DIY lacing card–use a foam brush
to paint Mod Podge
onto one or both sides of the leaf. For more detailed instructions, hop over to learn how to preserve leaves.
Step 3 – Punch holes into A sturdy fall leaf to make leaf lacing cards (optional)
Next, punch holes in the fall leaves to turn them into eco-friendly DIY lacing cards. Or, invite advanced sewing students to stick their holes with a sewing needle and the strength of their hand. But, please use a sewing thimble for kids to protect sharp tips from delicate little fingertips!
If you are working with beginning sewing students and would like to make homemade 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. Or, try punching different designs that you would like to sew into the leaf for another fun leaf sewing idea. More advanced sewing students can also try to embroider fall leaves.
Step 4 – Thread needle with yarn and/or embroidery thread.
- Cut one or more sections of yarn and thread through the eye of a blunt darning needle for beginning sewing students. (More advanced sewing students can use a large eye stitching needle and embroidery thread in a leaf that does not have any punched holes.)
- 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, whip stich, or blanket stich 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 strengthen the fine motor muscles in the hands necessary for writing and more detailed handwork.
Using sturdy fall leaves makes this beginning sewing lesson for kids both eco-friendly and economical. For more autumn-themed fun, check out ways to celebrate the fall autumnal equinox and our Top 10 Fall Crafts.
Don’t forget to check out this fantastic 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
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.