Fall Leaf Crafts – How to Make a Leaf Crown and Wreath

These fall leaf crafts and step-by-step tutorials for wreaths and crowns will bring the season to life. Craft with nature and be proud to show it off!

fall leaf crafts - leaf crowns and leaf wreaths for Fall

Fall Leaf Crafts: Leaf Crowns, Wreaths, and Garlands

Fall is beautiful in the Pac NW. It’s damp, but the rain washes all the dirt (and your cares) away and leaves everything shiny and new.

This past weekend, we went on a long walk as a family on Saturday morning. The morning’s activities included leaf gathering, walking through the neighborhood’s bustling shop fronts, and a good session of swinging in the rains.

Fun Fall Leaf Projects by Ruffles and Rain BootsFall Crafts for Kids

As a crown, this is a quick and easy project for older kids to do on their own. It would also make a wonderful wreath for your front door or even a beautiful garland. We’ve made all three and they come together easily and quickly.

Because we have different levels of crafters who love Ruffles and Rain Boots, I’ll share two ways to make leaf crowns: sew and weave.

How to Sew a Leaf Crown

The fastest way I made a crown was to sew the leaves onto a braided piece of ribbon. I used some paper ribbon that was originally intended for wrapping gifts. I had to use 9 strands of it to make the head piece solid enough to hold the leaves, but it was easy.

Easy Leaf Crown Tutorial

As you can imagine, you just put the leaves onto the ribbon and sew. Once the leaves are secure, you cut off the stems. That’s it.

The crowns using the weave method below are my little girl’s favorite, but this one is easy if you’re creating many at a time, like for a fairy play date. These are really fun because they have the ribbons dangling down in the back – that was my daughter’s favorite part.

We use this method for garlands more than the crowns because it allows the leaves to dry hanging upside down and without a curve. If you have turning leaves in your area at Thanksgiving, this would be a fun way to decorate the front porch for the holiday.

How to Make a Woven Leaf Crown

My daughter LOVED this crown. It’s fitting because when my sister and I were little, we would twist and weave random nature bits together – pine needles, leaves, dandelions, and even the front bushes we had with the tiniest pastel flowers on them.

I can’t remember if my Mom showed me this technique or if it was Mrs. Slade from Apple Hill’s Finishing School for Young Ladies. Yes, I went there…

Woven Leaf Crown

Supplies for Making Fall Leaf Crowns 

This works using damp or at least moist leaves. I just wipe them off to remove any bits of nature that might want to tag along. Gather some supplies to help make it easier:

  • scissors
  • a toothpick (or a skinny twig you find next to the leaves)
  • fall leaves in various colors (not dried out and crispy)

How to Weave a Leaf Crown

Step 1: Snip or break off the end of the leaves where they were attached to the tree. I’ve left them on before and it works but it makes a larger hole than you need, causing the crown to be more wiggly than it has to be.

Leaf Crown Tutorial from Ruffles and Rain Boots

Step 2: Start with a leaf with a long(ish) stem. Fold over the leaf by 1/3 to 1/2 (eyeball it) and hold the folded piece behind while you punch two holes with the toothpick about an inch or so apart.

Leaf Crowns for Kids by Ruffles and Rain Boots

Step 3: Insert the long(ish) stem of another leaf into the top hole and then up through the bottom hole. Don’t cut the stem off, you’ll need it later. Pinky swear you won’t cut it off. In fact, don’t cut off the first couple (leave the first two stems entirely intact). Continue adding leaves in the same way.

How to Make a Leaf Crown by Ruffles and Rain Boots

In-process clean up: I do about 5 leaves and get a secure section before doing this next step. You will have stems poking out where they were woven once, and you will want to poke another hole (between the previous leaf’s holes) and weave the stem through to the back. Only then will you want to cut it or break it off.

Natural Leaf Crown Tutorial by Ruffles and Rain Boots

Step 4: Repeat the steps above and do the cleanup. Remember, do not cut the first 2 stems.

Leaf Crown Tutorial by Ruffles and Rain Boots

Step 5: The last step is to weave the first leaf’s stem through the last leaf, just like you’ve done all the others. You will want to weave it as many times as you can without making too many holes. Repeat with the second leaf’s stem to add extra stability at the join-point. Or you could just staple the thing closed.

We have one of these hung on the front door right now and it looks amazing.

Yield: 1 leaf crown and one fall wreath

Fall Leaf Crafts - How to Make a Leaf Crown and Wreath

Fall Leaf Crafts - How to Make a Leaf Crown and Wreath

These fall leaf crafts and step-by-step tutorials for wreaths and crowns will bring the season to life. Craft with nature and be proud to show it off!

Active Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Materials

  • fall leaves in various colors (not dried out and crispy)

Tools

  • scissors
  • a toothpick (or a skinny twig you find next to the leaves)

Instructions

  1. Snip or break off the end of the leaves where they were attached to the tree. I've left them on before and it works but it makes a larger hole than you need, causing the crown to be more wiggly than it has to be.
  2. Leaf Crown Tutorial from Ruffles and Rain Boots
  3. Start with a leaf with a long(ish) stem. Fold over the leaf by 1/3 to 1/2 (eyeball it) and hold the folded piece behind while you punch two holes with the toothpick about an inch or so apart.
  4. Leaf Crowns for Kids by Ruffles and Rain Boots
  5. Insert the long(ish) stem of another leaf into the top hole and then up through the bottom hole. Don't cut the stem off, you'll need it later. Pinky swear you won't cut it off. In fact, don't cut off the first couple (leave the first two stems entirely intact). Continue adding leaves in the same way. In-process clean up: I do about 5 leaves and get a secure section before doing this next step. You will have stems poking out where they were woven once, and you will want to poke another hole (between the previous leaf's holes) and weave the stem through to the back. Only then will you want to cut it or break it off.
  6. How to Make a Leaf Crown by Ruffles and Rain Boots
  7. Repeat the steps above and do the cleanup. Remember, do not cut the first 2 stems.
  8. The last step is to weave the first leaf's stem through the last leaf, just like you've done all the others. You will want to weave it as many times as you can without making too many holes. Repeat with the second leaf's stem to add extra stability at the join-point. Or you could just staple the thing closed.
  9. Leaf Crown Tutorial by Ruffles and Rain Boots

Notes

For more fall crafts and activities, visit Ruffles and Rain Boots.

Did you make this?

Please leave a comment or share a photo and tag me @rufflesandrain

Woven Leaf Wreath Tutorial | RufflesandRainBoots.com

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These fall leaf crafts include tutorials for leaf crowns and leaf wreaths. You will not believe how easy it is to weave Fall leaves. #fallcrafts #diyfall #falldecor #fallhomedecorations #rufflesandrainboots

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11 Comments

  1. This is an adorable leaf crown, but not quite as adorable as the little noodle it’s sitting on!

  2. so fun!! Well done.. this is such a fun idea!! Featured today on Nap-Time Creations!! Thanks for linking up to the party.

  3. Do you suppose we could make these out of palm leaves? We don’t have deciduous trees here … The guest room is ready whenever you want to check out crafty possibilities in Panama – Love your talents and you guys! Mom

  4. Your little girl’s smile looks just like you!

    These crowns turned out really cute. I wish we had fall leaves here. Or even fall for that matter. I don’t think a cactus crown would work quite so well :)

  5. Sarah,

    Oh my goodness, how cute are these crowns?!!

    You are amazing. Life must be so magical at your house. I want to be you when I grow up. Except for you’re probably younger than I am =)

    Hope you’re loving the fall!
    Brittany

    1. I just act young, Brittany! :) Thanks for the kind words. I’m loving your “14 Things Moms Need to Get Over…” article. Laughing still!