DIY Magnolia Leaf Placemants
Dress your table setting to impress with these budget-friendly DIY Magnolia Leaf Placemats. Follow this step-by-step guide to create stunning placemats that rival high-end home décor stores without the hefty price tag. Four magnolia leaf placemats from a high-end online home décor store retails for $99. Our version can be made for around $35. This guide makes 4 placemats.
Yield: 4
Cost: $35
Equipment
- wire cutters or floral shears
- low temperature hot glue gun
- glue sticks
Materials
- 3 packs Magnolia leaves 23 per mat, totaling 92 leaves
- 4 round placemats 15" each
Instructions
Prepare your materials
- Purchase three packs of plastic magnolia leaves (typically sold in sets of 40), which will provide enough leaves for four placemats with some extra.
- Select four round placemats as the base. Inexpensive, smooth, and finely woven placemats work best. Opt for a green or neutral-colored base to blend seamlessly with the leaves.
Arrange the leaves for placement
- Outer Layer: Lay out the first layer of magnolia leaves around the edge of each round placemat. Each leaf should:Overhang the edge by 1.5" to 2"Overlap the adjacent leaf by 0.5"Require about 15 leaves for full coverage per placemat (totaling about 60 for four placemats).
- Inner Layer: Arrange approximately 8 leaves in the center in a flower formation, overlapping them to fully cover the base placemat (totaling about 32 for four placemats).
Trim the stems
- Use wire cutters or floral shears to remove the long wire stems from each magnolia leaf before gluing. This will allow for a smooth attachment to the base placemats.
Attach leaves with hot glue
- Using a low-temperature glue gun, lift one side of each leaf and apply a line of glue near the center.Press the leaf back into place and hold until the glue cools.Continue gluing all leaves, ensuring a secure attachment. Tack down any lifted edges for a polished look.Repeat for each of the four placemats.
Store properly
- Stack the placemats under heavy books to flatten them slightly.Always store them flat when not in use to maintain their shape and look.
Enjoy your DIY decor!
- Your set of four DIY Magnolia Leaf Placemats is now complete! These placemats add a handcrafted elegance to your table setting, all while being a cost-effective and stylish alternative to expensive store-bought options.
Notes
Use What You Have: Instead of purchasing placemats, cut four 15-inch rounds from burlap, canvas, or other neutral colored material that you may have on hand.
Make Place Cards with Leftover Magnolia Leaves: You will have extra magnolia leaves after making your placemats, so repurpose them as elegant place cards. These leaves are polyurethane coated, making them easy to write on with a paint marker. This is a popular choice for weddings and special events, adding a personalized touch to your table setting.