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How to Make a Modern Centerpiece Using Natural Materials

comments (5) November 13th, 2008     
kaytet kayte terry, contributor
Love it! 17 users recommend
A few jars of different sizes staggered on a runner or a piece of fabric looks modern and sophisticated.
I kept each jar pretty spare so that the centerpiece looks more modern.
Sandwich the ends of twigs in between the felt and fabric.
A few jars of different sizes staggered on a runner or a piece of fabric looks modern and sophisticated.

A few jars of different sizes staggered on a runner or a piece of fabric looks modern and sophisticated.

Photo: Kayte Terry

As you may have guessed by this point, I am a huge fan of using natural materials like leaves, acorns, and twigs in my craft projects. I am often found in my local park scavenging around for materials much to the confusion of my neighbors, but who cares? Nature is one of my biggest sources of inspiration, and fall is especially abundant with creative materials.

Here is a fun centerpiece for fall: It looks lovely on a dining table, a coffee table, or even on a mantel.

What you'll need:

  • Leaves for templates
  • Cardstock
  • Paper and fabric scissors
  • Small scraps of felt and fabric
  • Water-soluble fabric pen
  • Bunch of twigs (I used two or three per jar)
  • Hot glue
  • Small amounts of wool roving in a few colors
  • Needle-felting needle and mat
  • Acorn caps
  • Three 1-pound bags of beans
  • Three clear vases, jars, or canisters

Making the leaves:

1. Trace a leaf or two onto cardstock to make a template. Cut out with paper scissors.


Cut a bunch of various-size leaves in different fabrics.

2. Trace the leaves onto the wrong side of the fabric scraps using a water-soluble fabric pen. Make about 15 to 20 of these. Cut out with fabric scissors. Repeat for the felt scraps, making 15 to 20 felt leaves.


Sandwich the ends of twigs in between the felt and fabric.

3. To glue leaves to the twigs, lay out the fabric leaf, wrong side up, add a few dots of hot glue, and affix the end of the twig to the leaf. Affix the felt leaf to the other side of the twig, sandwiching the twig end in between the felt and fabric leaves.

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Comments (5)

kaytet writes: rebecka-
that looks great! i love the colors you chose and the extra sewing accent!
Posted: 6:42 pm on December 5th
Rebecka writes: Love this idea so much I made one myself! :)
Thank you for the tutorial!
http://rebeckaverola.blogspot.com/2008/11/autumn-leaves.html
Posted: 4:48 am on December 4th
d23 writes: mmm great idea thinking this type of thing cud work well w tiny shells, blanched driftwood, in those jars of white beans.... lovely inspiring work>cheers!
Posted: 4:42 pm on November 22nd
bluebutterfly writes: Nothe elso of great work =D
Posted: 8:38 am on November 19th
susanstars writes: gorgeous, Kayte!
Posted: 2:19 pm on November 13th
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