I LOVE fall. If only it weren’t so fleeting! Today we’ll extend fall beauty indoors with this sweet and easy DIY Paper Leaf Garland for Fall.
Garlands are enjoyable for any time of year!
The theme today is fall and Thanksgiving season, but it would be beautiful with hearts for Valentine’s Day, bunnies and eggs for Easter, flowers for Summer, leprechauns for St. Patricks Day, and stars for the 4th of July.
Find more DIY craft projects
DIY Paper Garlands
Paper crafts are easy and fun for all ages!
Create your own pattern for the leaves by tracing real ones, OR you can use my free template. Subscribe to get access to my free download library. (Or sign in if you are a subscriber)
Easy Paper Craft
Your crafts garland can look any way you want. Imagine it in bright, bold colors, or how about rich, deep jewel tones?
I can picture tiny delicate leaves or enormous flower petals. Add a bit of sparkle with metallic or glitter craft paper.
Hang it with a beautiful ribbon, a rough burlap cord, or a sparkly twine.
Use paper scissors or fire up your Cricut or Silhouette cutting machine if you prefer. FREE SVG files are available in the Bloom library too!
Creating your own Banner
Check out the banner project ideas below if you have a message to display, fall quotes for kids, or holiday greetings.
Thanksgiving Banner Ideas
DIY Christmas Banner
Paper Crafts for Adults
This is a therapeutic kind of craft project if you choose to do it alone. It would also be fun to do with a group of girlfriends, seniors, or a family.
Everyone can create their own, make one with a group, or work as a family to create one together, combining preferences and personalities.
Check out these project roundups and paper craft DIYs for more year-round paper craft ideas.
Fall Crafts for Kids
A garland or banner would also be delightful to create with kiddos!
This paper leaves garland is so easy to make. As you can tell, cutting paper, punching holes, and stringing are all you need to do so that most young ages can manage.
For more fall toddler activities, hop over to these blogger’s craft posts on toddler crafts and autumn ideas.
Inexpensive Fall Decorating Ideas
Garlands are a low-priced decor project, especially if you already own a few essential craft tools. Paper, scissors, and a paper punch are all you need for the essentials.
The main element is paper, and so many excellent papers are available to suit any season. It is difficult to pick just one!
Below are all the craft materials needed for your DIY garland craft, plus ideas for paper and where to buy them.
Supplies
Cardstock Paper Pages HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, & HERE
Paper Scissors
Paper Punch
Embellishments optional
Garland Template subscribe to access free library
SVG Template subscribe to access free template
(Or sign in if you are already a subscriber)
NOTE I know that some glitter products can be messy. Read the reviews before you purchase.
No sewing, glue, or paint is used.
I have not tested the glitter papers from Amazon, but they are the same brand as the one I purchased at JoAnn, and the reviews are good. I found the glitter paper in the photo above at JoAnn Fabric and Crafts, and they were great! Not messy at all.
Affiliate links are in blue. Not all supplies are in the photo above.
Where To Buy
Cardstock is available in most craft stores and on Amazon.com. It comes in so many beautiful colors, surfaces, and designs.
You can buy it by the sheet or purchase a book. Shop around and find what works best for your garland design.
Below are a few of the options that I found on Amazon.
Click photos or links to compare products. Affiliate links are in color.
Glitzy Metallics Cardstock by DCWV
Metallics Foil Cardstock by DCWV
Neutrals Cardstock Paper by DCWV
DIY Paper Garland
Choosing your Garland Design – Paper, Colors, and Templates
1 Gather all of your supplies. Determine the size and style of your garland. You will also need to decide if you will cut your leaves out with scissors or use a cutting machine, such as Cricut or Silhouette.
Draw your own design on paper, on a computer, OR subscribe to get access to download my leaf outlines. (Or sign in if you are already subscribed). The digital download includes several leaf shapes. Your choice to mix and match!
TIP If you are working with groups or kids, make a cardboard version of your leaf templates to make it easy to trace.
Choose coordinated papers. It can be helpful to lay the papers out across a table or the floor to decide on the order. Adjust the placement of the colors, textures, and shapes if necessary, so the garland is balanced.
Cutting and Printing your Banner Paper
2 Trace around the leaf edges, or simply cut around your pattern using your leaf outlines as a guide.
Cut out your leaves with scissors. If using a cutting machine, download the SVG files and cut your leaves according to your machine’s instructions.
3 When your leaves are cut out, punch a hole on each end. Be careful not to get too close to the edge.
Test string a few leaves to be sure you like the position of the punch and the way they hang before you get too far.
Continue the process until your garland is complete. Add ribbons and embellishments if you like. Hang it up and enjoy your masterpiece!
Looking for more ideas? Browse all of my creative project inspirations.
Remember to use #bebraveandbloominspired when sharing photos of your DIY projects. I look forward to seeing what you create!
I hope you enjoyed this project! It will be a bit of sunshine you can display in your home and enjoy for years to come.
Thank you for stopping by.
xo,
Cindy
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