How to Make Leaf Veins

Beautiful delicate veins like lace are often used to decorate scrapbooks, collages and other crafts. Leaf veins are quite expensive to buy, but you can easily make your own at home. Not only will you save a ton of money, but you can also bleach or dye it as you wish. Best of all, you can choose the shape and size of the leaves to your liking!

Table of Contents

Use washing soda (sodium carbonate)

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Place the selected leaves in the pot. Make as many leaves as you like, but don’t put too many leaves in one pot. You should only arrange at most one layer of leaves to cover the bottom of the pot. The most suitable leaves for veins should have a smooth and waxy surface, such as magnolia or gardenia. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Pour water and washing soda to cover the leaves. You need ½ – ¾ cup (70 – 100 g) washing soda and 4 cups (1 liter) water. Gently stir the solution to dissolve. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Do not use baking soda; these two are not the same. ^{[3] X Research Sources}
Washing soda is also known as “sodium carbonate.” You can find washing soda in the laundry soap section of the supermarket. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Cook until leaves are soft. Turn the heat to medium or high to bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the leaves are tender. Cooking time will take 90 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the type of leaves. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

The water will evaporate while simmering. If necessary, add more water to the pot to prevent the leaves from drying out. ^{[6] X Research Source}

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Remove the leaves from the water. Put on plastic or rubber gloves first, then use tongs to remove the leaves from the pot. ^{[7] X Research Source} If the leaves are mushy and viscous, soak them in a basin of cool or cold water for a few minutes; that way it will be easier for you to wash it off afterwards.

Place the leaves on a paper towel and gently scrape off the flesh. Use tweezers to hold the petiole and use a paintbrush or soft toothbrush to brush away the flesh. Flip the leaves over and scrape off the other side. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

It is even better if you scrape the leaves in cool or cold water. ^{[9] X Research Source}
Be very gentle when doing this step; The leaves will tear very easily. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Wash the leaves in clean water at least once. The leaves will be very fragile at this point, so be gentle. Pour cool or cold water into the pot and drop the leaves in. Stir gently if needed. If there is still something clinging to the leaves, change the water and repeat this step.

Do not wash the leaves under the tap; The force of the water current will damage the leaves.

Let the leaves dry. Clip the leaves between 2 sheets of paper towels, then stack some heavy books on top. The paper towels will absorb the moisture, and the books will help flatten the leaves. If you don’t, the leaf may curl up and curl.

If you want the leaves to curl or curl (naturally), just let the leaves dry on a paper towel without blocking anything on top. Since there is no weight, the leaves will naturally curl as they dry.

Try other methods

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Soak the leaves in water instead of simmering. Boil 2 cups (500 ml) of water with 3 tablespoons (26 g) of washing soda. Remove the pot from the heat and let the leaves soak for about 20-30 minutes. ^{[11] X Research Source} Remove the leaves after soaking and scrape off the flesh as above.

The process is similar to the method above, except that the leaves are not continuously heated.
This method is suitable when you are making small batches or using foil.

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Soak the leaves in white water if you are patient enough. This process will take about 2-3 weeks, and you will have to change the water every few days to keep the water from stinking. You can add a little bleach to the water to prevent rotting. ^{[12] X Research Source} Use a toothbrush to scrape off the flesh of the leaves after soaking for enough time.

If you plan to add bleach, you need to mix 1 part water to 30 parts bleach.

Try biological laundry detergent. Mix 2 cups (500 ml) of water with 120 g of biological laundry detergent. Add the leaves and boil for 30 minutes. Rinse the leaves, then scrape off the leaves with a soft toothbrush. Press the leaves between 2 sheets of blotting paper for 2 weeks.

Dyeing or bleaching leaves

Use bleach to whiten the veins. Pour 1 cup (250 ml) of water and ¼ cup (60 ml) of bleach into the basin. Add the leaves and soak until the leaves are bleached. Soaking time is usually 20 minutes, but it can take longer if the leaves are darker or thicker. ^{[13] X Research Source}

If you are making a lot of veins, you may need to make several batches in this step. Do not fill the pot with too many leaves while soaking the bleach.

Wash the leaves in clean water. Pour clean water from cool to lukewarm into the basin. Dip each leaf in the water in turn, then place on a paper towel. The water will remove any remaining bleach and stop the bleaching process. ^{[14] X Research Source}

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Wait for the leaves to dry. If you want the leaf to be flat when it dries, sandwich the leaf between two sheets of paper towels, then block a few heavy books on top. If you prefer a more natural-looking leaf, just leave it on a paper towel without blocking anything. Without weight, the leaves will curl and curl slightly after drying.

This process usually takes about 20 minutes. ^{[15] X Research Source}

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Soak the leaves in food coloring or watercolor to create color. Mix water with just enough food coloring or watercolor to get the desired shade. Soak the leaves for up to 20 minutes in the solution and then remove. Wash the leaves with clean water, then let them dry using the same method as above:

If you want the leaves to be flat, sandwich them between two sheets of paper towels, then hold the book on top.
If you want more natural leaves, let the leaves dry on a paper towel.

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Paint the leaves with watercolor or food coloring. Pour the color you want to paint into a small cup or lid. Use a soft brush to paint the leaves. You can paint evenly or paint each color band to create an ombre effect. ^{[16] X Research Source} Let the leaves dry between two books when coloring is complete.

Avoid using a stiff bristled brush, as it can damage the veins.

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Spray paint on the leaves if you want to create an iridescent effect. Place the leaf on a paper towel and spray a thin layer of metallic spray paint on the leaf. Use tweezers to lift the leaves over a clean paper towel and let dry. Repeat the operation with the back of the leaf.

Do not leave the leaf on the sprayed paper towel, or it will stick to the tissue.
Using spray paint to make fake flowers is even better.

Garnish or use leaf veins

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Add some iridescence to the veins with sparkling beads, glitters or stones. Spread liquid glue around the leaf and/or the central petiole, then sprinkle fine glitter over the leaves. You can replace glitter with glass beads or tiny sparkles. You can also draw patterns with glitter glue onto the leaves.

Milk glue or craft glue with a small tip will work best. You can also use a thin, pointed paintbrush to apply the glue.
Don’t use regular glitter, as it’s too heavy for the veins.

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Use dried leaf veins to make bowls or boxes. Cover a bowl or box with cling film. Mix milk glue and warm water in equal proportions. Dip the leaves in the glue and ladle into the bowl or box. Wait for it to dry, then remove the leaves; Peel off the cling film from the leaves. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Sprinkle some fine glitter for a shimmering effect.
If you don’t have milk glue, you can try crafting or decorative glue (such as Mod Podge).

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Use leaf veins to decorate scrapbooks and cards. You can use a stick of dry glue to stick the leaf veins on cards and scrapbooks or apply a layer of liquid glue to the back of the leaves to stick. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

For extra fancy, you can use a shape puncher or craft cutter to create interesting shapes (such as hearts, stars, moons, etc.) in the center of the leaves. ^{[19] X Research Source}
You can also use leaves as prints. Paint the leaves with watercolor, press the leaves to the paper and peel them off.

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Stick the leaf veins on the candle cup or glass vase. Clean the glass object with rubbing alcohol first, then apply decorative glue (eg Mod Podge). Apply a thin layer of decorative glue to the back of the leaf veins, then stick on the glass object. Cover the leaves with a final coat of glue. ^{[20] X Research Sources}

Advice

The most suitable leaves for this project are: gardenia, holly, hosta, laurel, magnolia, maple, oak and rubber tree leaves. ^{[21] X Research Source}
Do not rush in the process of shaving lest the leaves tear.
You don’t have to scrape off the entire leaf. The half shaved leaf also looks very unique. ^{[22] X Research Source}
If you don’t have liquid food coloring or watercolors, you can try liquid dyes, including artificial flower dyes. You can even use colored drink powder! ^{[23] X Research Sources}
If you want to make the veins lighter, you will have to bleach them first to make the color more beautiful.
This process can be intensely vaporized. Remember to open the window or turn on the exhaust fan.
You can make your own washing soda by baking baking soda in an oven at 205 to 233°C. Spread a thin layer of baking soda on a baking tray. Bake for an hour, stirring once when half-baked. When the baking soda turns into granules, it’s fine.
Be sure to use a soft toothbrush for sensitive gums or a baby toothbrush. Regular toothbrushes are too hard.

Warning

Washing soda is caustic. Remember to wear protective gloves when working.
Children should not perform without adult supervision. ^{[24] X Research Source}

Things you need

Leaves (shiny and waxy leaves are fine)
½ – cup (70 – 105 g) washing soda ( not baking soda)
4 cups (1 liter) water
Pot
Nylon or rubber gloves
Tongs or dough scraper
Tweezers
Tissue
Paintbrush or soft toothbrush
Bleach or food coloring (optional)

Steps