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    Home » DIY Projects

    Leaf Printing on Fabric

    May 2, 2022 by Patti Estep 2 Comments

    Jump to How-to Card
    Gray napkins with a white leaf print.
    Gray and white leaf printed napkins over a leaf reveal.

    Try this easy DIY project using leaf printing on fabric to create a beautiful negative space design on white napkins. The process is easy and the results are pretty special.

    Gray napkins with white eucalyptus leaf printing.

    I was really happy with the way these napkins turned out. Using silver dollar eucalyptus leaves and fabric spray created a beautiful negative space design.

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    Negative space design high-end textiles at a specialty store.

    While I was away with friends I came across these beautiful textiles (above). They were quite pricey and I wondered if I could create something similar on my own.

    Silver dollar eucalyptus branches, white napkins, gray fabric spray paint and spray adhesive.

    Using Leaf Printing to Create a Negative Space Design on Fabric

    I found some silver dollar eucalyptus at Trader Joe's. However, you could use stems with leaves from your backyard. I would have done that but it was too early for leaves in my neck of the woods.

    This is sort of the opposite process from the leaf printing art post where I created drop cloth pillows with leaf prints.

    White napkin with fresh branches of eucalyptus set on top.

    Lay your leaves out in the pattern you think you'd like first.

    Silver dollar eucalyptus branches glued to white napkin.

    Use spray adhesive to press the stems and leaves in place. Make sure it's one that can be repositioned. My Elmer's spray adhesive states to let the glue set for about 5 minutes first. This way it can be easily removed while still being tacky enough to stay in place.

    Spray painted napkin with gray paint.

    After you press the leaves and stems into place spray the entire napkin with gray fabric spray paint. I did this on the driveway so I could stand above the napkins and spray directly above it.

    Spray painted leaves on napkin and one removed to reveal the negative print.

    You can then remove the leaves. I did this right away and placed the leaf paint side down to the side so that I could use them again.

    Caution: It's messy so you may want to wear gloves.

    Eucalyptus leaves removed from spray painted napkin to reveal a beautiful negative space design.

    Looks pretty gorgeous to me! The biggest disappointment was that the 3 oz can of paint only covered two napkins. I might try this again with different types of art materials such as acrylic paint and fabric medium and use a small roller.

    I'd also like to make a table runner with this effect.

    Two folded leaf printed napkins in gray and white on a table.

    Regardless, I'm super happy with these and can't wait to use them in a basket or hang them in the kitchen.

    Patti signature

    More Fun Leaf Crafts

    • Leaf Print Drop Cloth Pillows
    • Leaf Place Cards
    • Decorating Pumpkins with Leaves
    • Eco Printing
    Leaf printing on napkins using negative space design creating two gray napkins with white eucalyptus leaves.
    Gray napkin with white silver dollar eucalyptus leaf print.
    Print

    Leaf Printing on Napkins Tutorial

    Learn how easily you can make a beautiful textile with a negative space design and leaf prints.
    Prep Time1 hour hr
    Active Time1 hour hr
    Total Time2 hours hrs
    Course: DIY Projects
    Yield: 2
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $20

    Equipment

    • Scissors
    • Gloves (optional)
    • Newspaper, Cardboard for a protective surface to work on.

    Materials

    • Cloth Napkins

    Instructions

    • Wash and dry napkins without any softeners.
    • Cut your leaf branches in different sizes and create a practice layout on the napkin.
    • Use spray adhesive on the back of the leaves and stems.
    • Wait 5 minutes.
    • Cover the area outdoors with newspaper, or another protective material.
    • Use a small amount of pressure on the leaf branches to adhere them to the napkin.
    • Spray the fabric paint over the entire napkin.
    • Gently pull off the leaves and stems to reveal the print and place them off to the side paint side down to reuse.
    • Carefully move the napkin to a place to dry for 30 minutes.
    • Repeat the process with a second napkin.
    • Wait 72 hours before washing with a mild detergent per the fabric paint instructions.

    Notes

    A 3 oz can of fabric paint was only enough to cover two napkins. You could try using regular craft paint mixed with a fabric medium and roll on the paint with a mini paint roller.
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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

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    Comments

    1. Lina

      May 07, 2022 at 10:54 am

      These are really beautiful. I would like to know please how they washed? Thank you for your time

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 07, 2022 at 2:11 pm

        Lina, the can of fabric spray paint I used says to wait 3 days before washing with a mild detergent on the gentle cycle. I've only washed them once so far and they came out looking nice.

        Reply

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