Grace Your Home With a DIY Faux Leaf Autumn Garland

One of the most classic elements of the fall season is the foliage. This beautiful time of the year is known for its burst of color thanks to the trees in our surroundings. And as the leaves begin to drop to the ground, it wouldn't hurt to pay tribute to this gorgeous natural process. You can easily do this by decorating your home with leaves for the autumn season. The key to making it last until winter is to use fake leaves that will last a lifetime. Paired with cozy autumn decor essentials and autumn scents, a project like this faux leaf garland can seriously spruce up your space. The best part is that you can stash it away and save it for next year.

Step 1 - Gather the Supplies

Get ready to start this project by rounding up the necessary materials. During the autumn season, you can find faux leaves in the floral section of craft stores. These are typically made of nylon and are quite inexpensive. They are usually made to look realistic and are available in a wide variety of warm shades. However, if you prefer the look of paper, you can also use a batch of paper leaf cut-outs. Keep in mind that stringing paper shapes will be slightly different than piercing nylon. As for the cord? You can use any kind of sturdy material that you like. Hemp and twine are both ideal options that have a natural, organic look to them. They pair especially well with the fake autumn leaves. Additionally, feel free to use any type of wood beads that you like. This is an excellent way to use up leftover beads from past projects. If you're making this with children, you can use plastic pony beads with wide holes. Don't forget to double check that both the needle and cord can fit through the beads.

Step 2 - Thread the Needle

Cut a long strand of cord. Insert the cord through the needle and pull it for a few inches. There should be about two inches of cord on one side of the needle. This will ensure that the end of the cord does not slip out of the needle while you work. Do not tie a knot; otherwise, the cord won't be able to pass through the fake leaves. You don't need a tie a knot at the opposite end of the cord, either.

Step 3 - Add the First Leaf

Carefully pierce the needle through a faux leaf. You may need to add some pressure to push the needle through. As always, watch your hands while working with the needle. You can pierce the needle through any part of the leaf, as long as it's not too close to the edge.

Step 4 - String on More Leaves

Add more leaves in the same manner. Don't worry too much about patterns and sequence of colors. Like nature, your garland should be random and organic.

Step 5 - Add a Bead

Every few leaves, add a wooden bead of your choice. This is just a simple way to help accent the garland. It doesn't matter how many leaves are between two beads. Instead, focus on adding beads at equal intervals.

Step 6 - Continue Adding Leaves

Repeat the process of adding fake leaves to the cord. You can adjust the placement of the leaves depending on your desired fullness of the finished garland. Move the leaves closer together to create a fluffy, full garland. If you'd like the cord to peak through the leaves, separate the leaves from each other. Because the leaves are not adhered to the cord, you have the freedom to adjust them as you please.

Step 7 - Hang it Up

You can stop adding leaves whenever you like. The final length of the piece is entirely up to you. Once you are happy with your garland, it's time to display your new creation. You can use thumbtacks or tape to drape it along a wall or mantle. You can even wrap it around the railing of a staircase for a stunning focal piece.