Fall Leaf Sewing for Kids: DIY Lacing Cards

Learn how to turn fall leaves into lacing cards you can use to teach children to sew with a shoelace with this fun beginner sewing lesson for kids.

Transform fall leaves into homemade lacing cards with this fun, easy, and educational leaf sewing activity for kids! Learning to sew with fall leaves and a shoelace is an easy sewing project for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and beginners of all ages. Using sturdy fall leaves makes this beginner sewing activity budget-friendly and eco-friendly.

Easy sewing projects for kids, such as fall leaf lacing, make learning how to sew FUN for children of all ages. Sewing helps develop and strengthen the fine motor muscles in the hand, which are essential for writing and more detailed handwork projects. This sewing activity lesson also includes alternative leaf sewing ideas using a needle and thread for more advanced students. For another great budget-friendly beginning sewing project idea, try “Teaching Kids to Sew with Burlap and Yarn.”

Fall Leaf Beginner Sewing Project for Kids: Make Homemade Lacing Cards with Autumn Leaves!

Teaching children to sew doesn’t always begin with needles and fabric. Instead, it often starts with lacing cards. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to create DIY lacing cards using sturdy autumn leaves and a shoelace, yarn, or embroidery floss. Making DIY lacing cards out of natural fall leaves is a fun and easy way to help young children learn the basics of sewing.

This hands-on beginner sewing activity is perfect for young children. Teaching toddlers and preschoolers how to sew using a homemade lacing or sewing card is a creative way to help them develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and learn early sewing techniques. Beginner sewing projects, like fall leaf sewing, can also help children prepare for more detailed handwork projects and sewing tasks, such as sewing a button or making a pair of hand-sewn Lovebirds.

What is a lacing card?

A lacing card is an educational toy designed to help young children improve fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and focus. It usually features a sturdy card — often made of cardboard, wood, or plastic — with holes punched around its edges. A child uses a shoelace, or a similar thick string with a firm tip (sometimes called an aglet) to “lace” through the holes, mimicking sewing or threading motions. This beginner sewing lesson teaches how to make a lacing card with a sturdy fall leaf, which can be used to teach children how to sew, as shown in the photograph below. You might also enjoy learning to sew mouse toys for children and pets.

Try this sewing idea for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners at home or in the classroom. Scroll down for the complete step-by-step directions for this fall-themed beginner sewing project for preschoolers. First published August 25, 2015; this post is regularly updated to improve the content. You might also enjoy these Fall Nature Crafts, which include several more creative ways to use fall leaves.

How to Make DIY Lacing Cards with Fall Leaves:

This simple DIY project offers an excellent way for parents, teachers, and caregivers to help children improve fine motor skills and introduce the concept of sewing. 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. Then, follow the step-by-step instructions below to make your own homemade fall leaf lacing cards. Finally, invite toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners to try this easy beginner sewing idea for kids! The step-by-step DIY lacing card instructions below include all the details you need.

Sewing Materials for FALL LEAF DIY LACING CARDS:

Before deciding which sewing supplies you’d like to use, please scroll down to read the step-by-step sewing instructions for this leaf lacing sewing project. There are a few different types of sewing materials you can use for this beginner sewing lesson, depending on the student’s ability (or yours) and the kind of fall leaf sewing project you would like to do. For example, if you are working with children who have never sewn before, I recommend starting with a shoelace and leaves with punched holes. Then, progress to sewing designs in leaves that have no premade holes using a needle and thread.

• Sturdy fall leaves (Magnolia leaves are shown in the photographs).
• Mod Podge with a foam brush (optional).
• Single hole punch AND a shoe lace
  • Alternatively, you can use a blunt darning needle or a large eye stitching needle with Cotton yarn OR cotton embroidery thread.
• Scissors.
• Sewing thimble for kids (optional).
• Please visit my Amazon list if you would like to see more of my favorite sewing supplies for kids: HERE!

Fall Leaf Sewing Project Step-by-Step Instructions:

Fall leaf lacing is an easy beginner sewing project and a fun way for kids to develop strong fine motor skills. This autumn-themed sewing activity not only entertains but also develops fundamental skills needed for writing, tying shoes, and other tasks that require precise hand movements. Using sturdy fall leaves makes this beginning sewing lesson for kids eco-friendly and economical. Try fall leaf sewing today! You might also enjoy creating crafts and watercolor painting with fall leaves.

1. Collect Fall Leaves:

• Get outside to collect fall leaves that you can use for this autumn-themed sewing activity for kids.
• My daughter and I collected and used leaves from magnolia trees to make the lacing cards shown in the photographs.
• Gather fall leaves that are sturdy enough to make into fall leaf lacing cards for toddlers and preschoolers–or anyone learning how to sew.
• Alternatively, more advanced students can find leaves to stitch with a needle and thread.
• While at it, go on a nature hunt in search of other natural items to make fall nature crafts. Treasures are always waiting to be picked up and made into something beautiful.

2. Preserve Fall Leaves (optional):

• This step is optional and doesn’t work well with all leaves. In other words, you don’t have to preserve leaves for this activity to work.
• I did NOT preserve the magnolia leaves in the photos showing how to do this beginner sewing project, and they worked just fine.
• Suppose you are working with a different leaf type and want to try preserving it before turning it into a DIY lacing card. In that case, 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.

3. Punch holes into A sturdy fall leaf to make leaf-lacing cards (optional):

• Next, punch holes along the edge of the fall leaves to turn them into eco-friendly DIY lacing cards for beginning sewing students.
  • 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 you want to sew into the leaf with this extended reach hole punch for another fun leaf-sewing idea. More advanced sewing students can also try to embroider fall leaves with basic embroidery stitches and patterns.
• Alternatively, invite advanced sewing students to make holes with a sewing needle and the strength of their hand instead of using a single hole punch. (This alternative leaf sewing activity is better for flexible green leaves.)
  • Use a sewing thimble to protect sharp tips from delicate little fingertips (optional).

4. Use a Shoelace or Thread a needle with yarn or embroidery thread:

• Either use a shoe lace or a needle and thread to “sew” the leaf.
• I recommend beginners start with a shoelace and progress to a needle and thread.
• Sewing students using yarn or embroidery floss should cut one or more pieces and thread them through the large eye of a blunt darning needle.
• More advanced sewing students can sew leaves using a large-eye stitching needle and embroidery thread without any holes punched into them.
• Next, tie the yarn to form a large knot on the end or sew an anchor stitch to secure it in place.
  • Sew up through one hole and down through another around the leaf at least three times in the same place to anchor the stitch in place.
• If you choose to tie a knot, please ensure the knot is large enough to prevent it from being pulled through the holes in the fall leaf before inviting children to try fall leaf sewing.

5. Invite children to sew fall leaves:

• Invite children to try leaf sewing using their homemade leaf lacing card.
• Begin by inserting the lace through one of the holes, pulling it through, and then weaving it in and out of the remaining holes in a pattern of your choice.
• There is no one correct way to lace — beginning sewers can follow the edge or create their own designs.
• Just let them sew the leaf randomly to get the motions down, or show them how to sew a simple running stitch along the edge of the leaf. A running stitch pattern is shown in the photographs for this sewing tutorial.
• For example, using the punched holes as guidelines, you can sew a simple running stitch, whip stitch, or blanket stitch along the edge of the fall leaf.
• In other words, use the fall leaves with holes punched along the edges in the same way that you would use lacing cards.
• If your child has never tried any other lacing or sewing projects for kids, consider demonstrating how to sew a fall leaf first. Young children learn best by watching and imitating others.

Related: Leaf Baby Craft

Fall Leaf Lacing Cards Sewing Idea:

Kids of all ages will LOVE this beginner sewing project. Sewing with kids is an easy way to strengthen the fine motor muscles in the hands, which are necessary for writing and more detailed handwork, such as this Narwhal Sewing Project for kids and adults.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, this easy DIY project is a great way to introduce sewing to children. As kids thread their yarn through each hole, they’re learning a new life skill that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Show beginning children how to sew a simple running stitch along the edge of the leaf, or just let them sew willy nilly to get the motions down before introducing more advanced stitches. Invite older children and more advanced sewers to get creative by sewing different designs and patterns.

Feel free to get creative with different types, shapes, and sizes of leaves, as well as a variety of sewing materials, to keep the activity fresh and exciting. Another idea is to embroider the leaf. Different fall leaves can be used to make various sewing crafts. Experiment, and have fun!

These DIY fall leaf lacing cards not only teach basic sewing skills but also promote focus, creativity, and independence. For more autumn-themed fun, check out fun ways to celebrate the fall autumnal equinox and this list of fall crafts.

You might also enjoy this fantastic list of fall art projects for kids, and this list of fall activities with a printable bucket list.

Learn more about Nell Regan Kartychok, author, photographer, and creator of this original leaf sewing craft HERE, and 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
• Fall Leaf Crown Craft
• Glowing DIY Leaf Lanterns
• Nature-Inspired Sensory Bottles
• Watercolor and Fall Leaves Art
• Fall Leaf Baby Craft
• Turkey Leaf Mason Jar Lantern
• Heart Leaf Lanterns