I love a pretty table, but I hate to store lots of bulky seasonal stuff. I would rather use my storage space for fabric and beads! A friend suggested leaf cutouts, and Kraft-Tex offers lots of color options. Kraft-tex is a versatile heavy paper product that sews like fabric and is sturdy like leather. Spills are no problem – just blot them up or give the project a good wash and press. I made a leafy tablescape with Kraft-tex.
Did I want a table runner? A wreath shape to highlight a centerpiece? Separate pieces to scatter on smaller tables? A modular approach would allow those options and the units would stack easily for storage. Here’s how I made my Leafy Tablescape with Kraft-tex!

How to Make a Leafy Tablescape with Kraft-tex
Make a versatile, durable and washable table decoration with Kraft-tex, a strong, stitchable paper product that looks and behaves like leather. create this easy Leafy Tablescape with Kraft-tex and gather for a festive feast! Here's how:
Materials
- 1 roll tangerine Kraft-tex
- Leaf shapes to trace or print
- Freezer paper
- Decorative thread
- Matching thread
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Iron and pressing surface
- Sturdy paper scissors
Instructions
- Draw, trace or print leaf shapes on the dull side of freezer paper. I collected copyright-free images and resized them on my computer. Then I printed each leaf on an 8 1//2 X 11 inch sheet of freezer paper using my inkjet printer.
Cut out each freezer paper leaf and arrange on the Kraft-tex. No need to be fussy about the cutting at this point. You will tidy the edges after you iron the shapes in place. Kraft-tex doesn't have a grainline and doesn't fray, so you can place the shapes in any orientation. - Use a hot iron to press the leaves in place. If you decide to shift anything, you can just peel off the freezer paper and reapply it. It holds up for several uses and leaves no residue behind.
- Cut out each leaf shape with sturdy paper scissors. (Kraft-tex will dull your good fabric scissors.) You can be as fussy or as casual as you like about following the lines. I took liberties with some.
- Peel the freezer paper from each Kraft-tex leaf.
Select threads to outline leaf shapes and stitch veins or other details. I used an assortment of variegated 40-wt quilting threads from YLI. You will have lots of little odd-shaped Kraft-tex scraps leftover from cutting - use them to audition stitches and test tension before stitching directly on your leaves. - If you like my color choices, here are the color names and numbers:
- Stitch a center vein on a few of the leaves. You can add more detail if you like - I kept mine simple. Then define the edges with stitching - I used a simple zigzag here. You can stop here, if you like, and use the leaves individually.
- Find an arrangement that pleases you to stitch the leaves together. I chose to make sets of 3 so I could rearrange the units. I can line them up and have a runner, scatter on several small tables or circle them around a centerpiece.
- Select a thread that matches your Kraft-tex. I used a Mettler 50-wt thread in color number 822.
- Test straight stitches on a Kraft-tex scrap in case you need to readjust after using decorative threads. Then attach the leaves to each other with a straight stitch where they overlap, just inside the zigzag stitches.
- And here is my finished Leafy Tablescape with Kraft-tex arranged in a wreath shape ready to greet a centerpiece. I like having modular units that I can rearrange and stack compactly for storage.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- C&T PUBLISHING C&T Kraft Tex Paper Fabric 18.5x28.5 Roll Tangerin, Brown
- Reynolds Freezer Paper Plastic Coated 18 Inch Total Of 150 Sq Ft Butcher Wrap Paper, Great Also For Arts & Crafts, Shelving, Protection, Banners Etc. (Original Version)
- C&T Publishing Kraft-Tex Roll Prewashed Linen
- kraft-tex Marsala Hand-Dyed & Prewashed: Kraft Paper Fabric, 18.5” x 28.5" Roll (kraft-tex Designer)
- kraft-tex® Roll Saffron Hand-Dyed & Prewashed: Kraft Paper Fabric, 18.5” x 28.5" Roll (kraft-tex Designer)
Have scraps of different fall colors of Kraft-tex? Make the leaves in different colors and spread them on your table, and use on your coffee table, too!
This is a great idea for just about any holiday! Pick a motif, cut out the shapes, stitch and scatter around your home to make it festive.
Browse through more Thanksgiving projects and inspiration on Create Whimsy.
Learn more about working with Kraft-tex with our article that gives you tips and tricks for working with this unique material.