The advent of Pinterest has been a lot of fun for many reasons, but one of my favorites is that I am able to see which of my old projects have suddenly gone viral. I’ve been amazed at the things I put together years ago that are really popular again – and I likely would have never given them a second thought.
Recently, my Fall and Spring wreaths have taken off. They have been pinned and re-pinned thousands of times, and I can barely keep up with the emails from readers asking me to make one for them.
Of course, I’d love to make one for each of you. Unfortunately, with 18-month old Miss Emma (who is into EVERYTHING these days), it’s just not possible. So instead, I decided to teach you how to make one yourself. See? It’s like I’m empowering you to make the fullest, most fluffiest wreath ever. Plus, the great thing about this wreath is that you can redo it each season since we aren’t going to actually glue anything to the wreath.
How to Create a Full and Fluffy Initial Wreath
You will need a few things before you get started:
- 18-inch grapevine wreath
- 14-inch grapevine wreath
- Assortment of natural-looking greenery
- Assortment of natural-looking florals
- Chipboard initial
- 1 1/2 yard-ish length of 2+ inch width ribbon
- Craft wire
Let’s do it!
1. I begin by placing the small wreath on top of the large wreath and securing them together on the underside with craft wire. I run the wire through some of the vines of each wreath and then just twist.
2. Next, I gather all of the florals and greenery that I’m going to use. You will want 4 or 5 different types of greenery and 3 or 4 different colors of florals. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you want your greenery and florals to be very natural looking. I really can’t stress this enough. Don’t pick any ferns that are fluorescent green or roses that have fake dew drops on them, okay?
Most craft stores that carry floral stems have a line that is called “naturals.” They are a bit more expensive, but if you buy them when they are 50% off (they are through the end of the week at Hobby Lobby, FYI), they aren’t too bad. The cost of putting my wreaths together is about $40 the first time, but then you can reuse it all when you redo it for the next season. I normally just add some different colored florals the next time I make it. I’ve been using a lot of the same pieces for two years.
Here is a portion of the typical cast of characters that I would assemble. I will strip the leaves and florals from each stem.
3. I always begin a wreath with some fern-y leaves. I cut each one from a bush (like in the above photo), and literally jam them into the wreath all the way around. Sometimes, a stem won’t fit through the grapevine exactly where you want it, and you have to adjust it a little. You’ll want to keep the ferns spaced pretty close together. I usually stick most of them into the large wreath, but I do add a few in the small wreath. That keeps it from looking too fabricated. If you aren’t planning to add an initial or other object to the center of your wreath, you want some of your greenery to go to the inside, too. I also like to leave a little empty space at the top where my hanging ribbon will go.
I totally propped the wreath up on a box of baby wipes so that I could more easily photograph it. I’m a stay-at-home mom and that was the first white box that came to mind. I apologize for being so fancy.
4. Next, I strip some leaves from some of the floral stems I have (like the pink one in the Step 2 photo) and add them around both wreaths in the same fashion. I like to turn them so they are facing different directions – not just all facing out.
5. Believe it or not, you still need some more greenery. This time, I added some ivy-like things. It’s good to keep your greenery in different leaf types and various shades of green. Some of the ivy points out, and other pieces go across the small wreath.
6. To give the wreath some more dimension, I wrapped some vine-y guys around the grapevine this time. I also let some hang down from the wreath and let a few wrap around leaves.
See how full it looks now? That’s what you want to see before you start adding any color to your wreath.
7. Finally, it’s time to add some color! I always begin with adding some white filler florals. In this one, I added two stick-like things that had some fuzzy white things on them (I’m sure they have a name – anyone know what it is?) and a few bunches of small white flowers. Keep the white fillers clumpy – don’t put them evenly spaced all the way around.
8. If you are using an initial or other object, go ahead and lay it on the wreath so you can see where it will ultimately go. I like to let a few florals or greenery pieces overlap the letter.
Now, you should add some large, natural-looking florals to your wreath in just a few key places – not all the way around. Limit yourself to one or two colors at this step. Obviously, I chose turquoise and yellow for this year’s Spring wreath.
9. Next, I add some contrasting color. Here, I chose dark purple. Again, keep it to a few key places and don’t add more than 1 or 2 different colors.
As you can see, I also looped my ribbon around my wreath and through the initial (if you have an initial such as M or L, you’ll need to drill a hole in the letter or hot glue it to the ribbon). I like to have some greenery overlap the ribbon a bit, and this is where I can go in and see if I need to add more or adjust what’s already there.
10. The last thing I add to my wreath are some natural-colored curlies. These are called “paper stems” and they are sold in the floral section of the craft store for about $2 for a package of 6. They come in long pieces, and I cut them in half. I like to wrap them or twist them around a pencil to make different curly shapes. I like the dimension they add.
For my Fall and Winter wreaths, I also like to add natural-looking stems of berries at this point.
11. To hang my wreath, I attach the ribbon to the very top (the top, not the front) of my door with a tiny nail. I have been using the same nail and hole all of these years, and it still works great. You are able to hang the wreath so much lower than with a wreath hanger (most wreath hangers make your wreath hang way too high on the door). I like the top of my wreath to hit the bottom of the top 1/3 of the door. That sounds super complicated, but it really isn’t.
12. Once the wreath is hanging, I always make little adjustments to the way it falls. I’ll adjust a fern-y leaf here or a white floral filler there. Just adjust things a little bit until you love the way it looks.
Now, all you have to do is smile when your friends and neighbors “Oooh!” and “Ahhh!” as they enter your home…because I promise that they will. You will be able to tell them that you made it yourself. You’ll also be able to laugh at the stuipidly overpriced wreaths for sale at Michaels that don’t look even half as good as yours. Yippee!
Are you ready to get started on your own fullest and fluffiest wreath that your neighborhood has ever seen?
Note: I live in a very, very windy area, and I don’t have too many problems with items falling out of my wreath. Occasionally, I will find a leaf or some filler on my front porch, but I just stick it back in if I do.
Great tutorial! I love how you explained everything step by step and made it easier for people to recreate it at home. I feel the urge to head out to the craft shop and pick up the supplies myself. Thanks!
Thanks, Amanda! It’s definitely a fun and easy project.
Amazing….thank you so much for sharing!!! 🙂
Thanks, CeCe!
LOVE this! I love how lush you got your wreath to look… so natural looking! I would love to try one! My poor front door is very.. lonely. 🙂
Donna
LOL! Thanks, Donna!
Thanks for the step by step DIY! Your creations are beautiful.
Thanks, Susan!
Love the wreath! And your selection of faux greens is awesome, I am quite jealous of those. Since I can’t get them here, could you make me a wreath 🙂 Just kidding!
Thanks for the instructions the idea of combining two grape wreaths is really good.
Thanks, Marianne! Can you really not get faux greenery there? Man, I feel like I need to send you a care package just so you can make one! LOL
LOVE IT!! Thanks so much for the tutorial! Make one for me though!! lol jk
I LOVE the white one on the right!! I need to go to hobby lobby soon to get some supplies to make this!! probably in a couple weeks! lol
I have SO much on my to-do list! My head hurts just thinking about it!!
This one won’t take long at all to do! You could probably do it in between annoying, graphic design related emails from me. 🙂
Love the brightly colored intial in the middle:) The wreath is gorgeous and i love all of the different floral and plants you included!
Thank you so much!
Very fluffy, indeed! I think the fuzzy white things are pussy willows. Not that they grow here in Florida, but I seem to recall something similar in a book I had as a kid.
Gonna have to try this! Unfortunately, I have one of those difficult initials (M), so I’ll have to get out my trusty glue gun for that bit. Or perhaps just hang it from one corner. Hmm…
I think you are right, Breana! And great idea about hanging the M for one corner. I hadn’t thought of that, but I think it would look great.
thats so pretty.. great tutorial so maybe I’ll give one a try.. I’ll make sure you get credit if I do..
Thanks! It’s really easy to do.
Lindsay, this is beautiful! I love the colors, and I love the tutorial you put together — makes it sound so easy! I’m going to make one of these tomorrow. 🙂 Yipee! Spring Wreath Making — here I come!
Wonderful, Maria! Please let me know how it turns out!
Love this!
Thanks so much, Theresa!
Thank you for sharing this excellent tutorial! I plan to share one photo with a link back to your site on our Trendy Tree blog. Beautiful wreath!
Thanks, Jeannie!
Thanks a bunch for sharing …. your directions are GREAT!! Super projects!!…. may have to make one myself!
Thanks so much!
Why have I never thought to wire two wreaths together to make i one nice big full wreath?!?! And I love that colorful chipboard initial in the center!! Thanks for always having such great ideas!!
Thanks, Laura!
What a fantastic wreath! I can’t wait to get started. First things first… I’ll be getting into my Christmas greenery for ferns and ivy… and then off to Goodwill and where ever to pick up the wreaths and florals. Can you tell I’m excited?
Great idea, Janet!
The wreaths are lovely and the instructions are fantastic. I got to your page from Pinterest and really appreciate that you took the time to put this info together. Plan to make a Spring wreath in the next few weeks using your example.
This is a GREAT tutorial. You have given me confidence to try making my own spring wreath to perk up my door. BTW your wreaths are gorgeous!
Thanks! You should definitely make one of your own!
I am one of the lurkers who has pinned your wreaths on Pinterest and I love each variation you have made! Thank you for sharing this wonderful tutorial and spreading crafty goodness to aspiring crafters everywhere.
Best Wishes,
Andrea
Thank you, Andrea!
Great tutorial & I have to say, I have spent some very pleasant minutes this Saturday morning, reading through your inspiring blogs.
Hi Lindsey,
The wreath is lovely! Great idea on wiring the 2 wreaths together! Thanks for sharing.
Denise
Lindsay,
I followed your tutorial today and made my own wreath (its not as great as yours), but I already have people asking me to make one for them! Thanks!
Oh, I love it! Thanks for sharing that!
I thought I was florally inept until I found this post on Pinterest. My problem is putting the right colors together, but your steps made it very easy. I LOVE my wreath and I’m so proud that I did it all by myself (with good instructions). Thanks a bunch for posting this! There’s no way I would’ve ventured into the floral dept. without your help!
Hooray! I’m so glad! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for the great tutorial! The wreath is just gorgeous and I have been wanting to make one for my front door.
I have been trying to pin it all day and it won’t pin. 🙁 Am I the only one having this problem?
Thanks, Karen!
Yes, my site has broken Pinterest. LOL Anyway, I think we got it fixed now, so pin away! I appreciate you alerting me to the issue. 😀
Love the wreath was wondering about the initials where do you get them??
Thanks! I get my letters at Hobby Lobby, but any craft store will have them. They are only a dollar or two a piece.
Made this today and it turned out fantastic. I can’t believe silk flowers can look so fantastic. It was so much fun and so easy. I did seriously overbuy though so I have a lot to return. 🙂
One question – I could not find the paper stems at Hobby Lobby anywhere. I thought they might be with the moss and raffia but didn’t see them. Any other hints on where I might locate them in the store?
Hmmm…that’s where I’d guess at Hobby Lobby, too. I usually pick mine up at JoAnn’s.
Thank you for sharing, I will be making one for myself! 🙂
I LOVE this idea! I always have a holiday theme wreath or sign on my door. Now that Easter is over, I think I will make this to keep up until the next holiday! Thanks for sharing the instructions.
Hey Lindsay~ Just checking out some ideas & came across this awesome wreath of yours!!! I just L*O*V*E* the wreath you made & the tutorial….brilliant!! I feel like I can do this! I’ve been searching the stores for one for our front door & all of the colors were wrong…or too “plastic” looking ! Thinking I might just have a new wreath by tomorrow ! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂 Janis
Yay! You can do it, Janis!
I also agree with how easy it is to understand your directions. I hate reading directions for anything but these really held my attention. Can’t wait to try making one. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks so much, Teresa!
Seriously….You are a genius! Every thought of being a teacher??? And, I love that you’re “real”, using a diaper wipe box for a prop! Thanks for sharing, and are you on Pinterest? I’d love to follow you’re great ideas. JUST BEAUTIFUL!!! This wreath would go for hundreds of dollars in some snotty, up-scale, hoity-toity home-furnishing store, which of course I’m not willing to pay! Thanks again!
I saw this on Pinterest and loved it. Ran to Joann’s and Michaels today and got all the goodies. Cost about $50 and took less than 30 minutes to throw together. THANK YOU for having such easy instructions to follow. Can’t wait to try some of your other ideas!!
Also saw your wreath on Pinterest and decided today was the day, finally got everything together and spent the evening “crafting away”. I love how it turned out, thank you so much for the inspiration and easy to follow instructions. I’ll be following you from now on!
I love my wreath! It only took about 2 hours to put together, including painting the letter. Securing the wreaths together was honestly the hardest part.
I had to spend about $50, but I have enough fern greenery left over (I bought a $15-dollar bunch from Hobby Lobby) to start a wreath for my Mom for Mother’s day. Thank you for the great idea.
OH, also I could not find those curly paper stems at HL or Michaels, and the salespeople were clueless. if you have a brand name that would be very helpful.
One last thing, I used fake light green eucalyptus as part of the greenery and it looked INCREDIBLE with the spring/summer blue and yellow colors! Shutting up now.
Thanks so much…had a blast making this. Your cost estimate was right-on…$42.00 for initial purchase but had enough greenery and other “fluff” to make one for myself and one for a friend.
Thank you so much for posting this! I love when I have inspiration for something, and then find a “how-to” it makes my idea in my head take form I can work with. Your creativity is amazing! Very helpful, would never have thought to put 2 wreaths together! Thanks again! Your blog is now on “Blogs I love” on mt pinterest board!
I absolutly loved this wreath, the colors are beautiful.
When I saw the picture I thought wow I have to try this so glad to had a step by step guide.
I am going to make this in a smaller scale for my Mom for Mother’s Day.
Thanks for the tutorial!! Love how you layered the items!! It gives it a much fuller look! I am anxious to try it.
Beautiful tutorial! I LOVE these crafts.
I am curious about your “nail and hole at the top of the door.” What exactly does this look like? I am moving to a new house and am in LOVE with the idea of the bottom of the wreath touching the door 1/3 of the way down. Besides, the ribbon makes any wreath more elegant.
Could you take a picture of said nail? Thank you!
Lindsay
Thank you for taking the time to post the instructions and the photos showing the various steps. Love the wreath and now I know how to create it !
Thank you so much for sharing your incredible talent! I think even I could maybe make a wreathe. You have excellent directions for us to follow. I can’t wait to try one!
Love this wreath! So beautiful!! Will being making one for my front door soon. Thanks for the tutorial, keep them coming.
I love your wreath, and the tutorial couldn’t be easier to follow. I’m pinning this now!
Thank you for this amazing tutorial to follow. It will be very helpful in creating a wreath for our front door. For each season do you create an entire new wreath or do you use the same base with green floral and switch out the colors for the season?
Thanks, Mandy! Yes, I use the same base and green fillers for every season. It makes it crazy easy!
I am SOOO excited to make this! Thank you so much!
hey doll! Ya think you could make one of these for your old friend? i am soooo not crafty and it would end up looking like something out of the dollar store if I did it.. I just bought a house and would love for it to have this on there!! Although my new last initial would be and “F” 🙂 Looove this idea though you are amzing! over 4,000 likes too! you’re so famous!
Love your tutorial, but I’m confused about the little nail on the top of the door. If you could post a pic of it, it would really help me. I’m not sure how it holds a heavy wreath. Thanks so much.
BTW, pinning your site like crazy 🙂
Nevermind, just saw your post about hanging the wreath. Here’s the link if anyone else wants it, http://livingwithlindsay.com/2012/06/how-i-hang-wreaths-on-my-front-door.html
Lindsay, you are amazing! I love this wreath! Is it fairly waterproof? Our front door doesn’t really have an overhang, so if it was raining/windy, it would likely get wet. Thanks!
I think it’s fairly waterproof. Just make sure that you don’t put anything on it that’s paper – stick with plastics and fabrics.
Hi Lindsay, what did you use the get the color of the initial?
Hi Wanda, I just painted it with acrylic craft paint.
Lindsay, I love your wreath and will try my hand at it. You make it look so easy. Step by step. If if turns out beautiful like yours, I will be soooo happy. I paid alot for a wreath and not happy with it at all. Thanks for the tips.
I was just going to through out some small wreaths that are too small for my tall door but now I can recycle them with my large wreaths. Thanks
Yes! Perfect solution.
thanks now I can recycle my small wreaths with my big wreaths. I almost through them out.
Thanks for posting this wreath! I love it. I am so going to make one. My only question is that my name starts with an H. Would you have me drill a whole or just hot glue it. I don’t think I want it to be lop sided. Can’t wait to try it, you make it look so easy!
Hmmm….You could probably just hot glue it. I think I’d hang it first and then hot glue the H onto the ribbon, just to make sure that it ends up in the right place.
I just found this tutorial and your beautiful page! Thank you for posting this-I have been scouring stores for the perfect pre-Christmas Fall wreath, but the ones I like are terribly overpriced. I’m going to try making this one!! My last name initial is “V” so I will have to try and get creative as to how to attach it to the ribbon! xo Faith
Oh, good! I hope your wreath turns out gorgeously!
Wow this is just what I was looking for, but did not have the confidence to try and make it myself. With your help I think I can do it, thanks so much!
Thank you very much for the tutorial! I love the way this wreath looks and had so much fun making my own! Here’s how mine turned out. http://pinterest.com/pin/20477373277607893/
What an excellent idea for people with limited space and limited money. Your wreaths are beautiful. Being able to change the look for each season or occasion is a great idea in so many ways.
Thank you for sharing, and thank you for your inspiration!
I like the initial wreath very much but i have double doors. any suggestions?
Where do I buy an initial? I looked online, without success and would like to make this now, for a long-awaited Spring!
Hi Susan,
I bought mine at Hobby Lobby, but I know they have them at most craft stores like Joann or Michaels.
OMGosh! You have so blessed me!
Since October 2014 I’ve been wanting to make an elegant wreath for my red front door!
Now I’m inspired. Thank you so much for this great tutorial!
I will try to find a way to bless you in return.
I’m a home-based fashion accessories designer specializing in jewelry. I’d love to make something for you!
Hi Lindsay! Thanks for the great step by step!
I have a 30″ grapevine wreath hanging around I am thinking about adding a smaller wreath in the center. I’m guessing it won’t be too heavy if it’s secure properly? Anxious to start working on it and giving it as a house warming gift. Thanks for any feedback!