One Wreath—Three Ways
Say it with a wreath! With the wonderfully "real"-looking evergreen wreath bases available today, it's easy to create wreaths to complement any décor or interest. With a few basic tips and tools, a creative approach to embellishments, and a little imagination, you can create a wreath for any room, any theme.
We chose cardinals, quilting, and gingerbread for our themes, but the options are endless. From elegant and sophisticated to fun-loving and fantastical, enjoy making a wreath that makes a personal statement.
Basic Supplies
Plain Faux Evergreen Wreath Base
Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Green Florist Wire
Wire Cutters and Pliers
Additional Supplies
The list of materials that you can use to embellish a wreath are endless. Following are some of our favorites:
Fresh or faux boughs, berries, and leaves
Pinecones, nuts, seeds and natural materials
Ornaments, candy, ribbons, bells, and "picks" from craft stores
General Tips
Work on a large flat surface with embellishments close at hand
Lay embellishments on the wreath, nestling boughs and pinecones in the greenery, to check balance and placement before you begin wiring or gluing. When you are happy with the arrangement begin wiring on large items like boughs, large ornaments, and pinecones.
When large or heavy items are secure, hang the wreath on a wall. This will give you the appropriate perspective on your project. Check wired objects, making any adjustments needed, then begin gluing smaller embellishments. Wreaths are dimensional, so decorations should be placed all around the wreath including the center circle and outside near the wall. Stand back often to check placements and make any adjustments
Sewing Wreath
Three large tin Quilt Shop ornaments* inspired our sewing wreath. Always use large objects in odd numbers for a more interesting effect. The ornaments are spaced evenly around the wreath.
We then wove rickrack, small ribbon, and a vintage measuring tape among the boughs adding some leaves and berries for contrast.
Vintage scissors, old spools, and pin cushions were wired or glued on. Squares from our scrap basket were sewn together to make a big ribbon bow to finish the wreath.
Cardinal Wreath
A wooden plaque* with a birdhouse and the words "Bless Our Nest" is the focal point of our Cardinal Wreath. The plaque is wired a little above center in our wreath.
Lots of light colored leaves, twigs and berries were added for a woodland feeling and pinecones were wired throughout the wreath.
Simple wool cardinal ornaments were added to complete our theme.
Gingerbread Wreath
Candy, jingle bells, boughs, and gingerbread ornaments* were combined for our playful Gingerbread Wreath.
The gingerbread people shown are fabric ornaments, but real gingerbread would also work well. Again, three were used to avoid a too-symmetrical look.
Red and white are repeated throughout embellishments on this wreath. The large candy swirls are balanced by a profusion of candy canes, and red and white jingle bells are always used in pairs.
Greenery boughs are intertwined to create more texture and interest in the wreath.
*Ornaments and plaque are available at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores
Website visitors have permission to print this project for personal use only. This project may not be copied or otherwise reproduced without the express written permission of Debbie Mumm®.
