Deco Mesh Christmas Wreath

I have decided (yet again) to make another deco mesh wreath for the upcoming Christmas season.  For this project I started with a standard work wreath "pencil frame" which I ordered from www.trendytree.com.  The reason I opted for this wreath frame is because it comes with ties which are already attached to the wreath frame.

1)   I'm sure you can tell fro the picture below, I straightened out all of the ties on the wreath frame before I began working on the wreath.

2)  Start by using a 21 inch 10 yd. roll of deco mesh and gather the WIDTH of the roll together in your hand like the picture below.

3) Secure the gathered mesh down to the wreath frame by using a tie to tie down the mesh.  It doesn't matter weather you start with the TOP outer loop of the wreath frame or the BOTTOM.  The important thing is to just pick either top or bottom to begin with and continue tying down your deco-mesh until ALL of your ties (top or bottom) whichever you began with have been tied up with the deco mesh.

4) The next most important thing is that between EACH tie down you need the SAME AMOUNT of deco mesh.  I used a yard stick and measured 14 inches between EACH and EVERY tie down.  This method helps ensure even, consistent 'poofs' which you will want for your wreath.  If you prefer a smaller wreath you may want to measure out a SMALLER amount, or if you prefer a LARGER wreath, measure 14 inches or more…. just remember, no matter what size you choose to go with… make the measurements between each tie down the SAME for a consistent and even look.

5)  Once you have finished securing the deco mesh to the wreath frame you may see your results and feel a bit disappointed… however, DON'T be! … making a deco mesh wreath is a PROCESS that you have to stick with until you are finished.  the picture below shows a good 'rough draft' of what my wreath looked like once I was finished tying down all of the deco mesh.

6)  The next step was to choose other deco mesh, ribbons, bows, etc… to embellish the wreath.  I chose a 6 inch roll of deco mesh.  I started by tying down this deco mesh beginning with the same tie I used with the red deco mesh.  …. All you need to do is just untwist it a bit and then tie in your 6 inch roll of deco mesh.  Measure the same amount as before  --- 14 inches and work your way around the wreath tying in the 6 inch decorative mesh.

7) Ok, so…. here we are once I've finished tying in the 6 inch roll of decorative mesh around the wreath.  I still plan to add a few more embellishments to the wreath.

8)  The next step is to add the ribbon I chose for the wreath.  Again, I measured out the same amount as deco mesh and decorative deco mesh (14 inches) and cut numerous pieces of ribbon in that length.

9)  Because I knew I wanted to chevron the ends of my ribbon… I folded it in half like the picture below.

10)  Using a pair or scissors I cut each end at an angle in order to make the 'chevron pattern' for the ends of each ribbon.

11)  This is the second ribbon I opted to use for the wreath.  I measured out numerous pieces of ribbon (each 14 inches of length like the mesh).  I folded the ribbons in half and using a pair of scissors I cut each end at an able to 'chevron' the ends.

12)  I secured the ribbons to the same ties I used to secure the deco mesh, just untying and then tying the ribbons back into the wreath.  The picture below shows what the results were.

13)  Afterwards, I adjusted the ribbons, mesh, and other decorations to try and 'even out' the decorations on the wreath…. although I'm pretty sure there isn't much difference between the wreath below and the one above.

In the picture below I opted to add various other embellishments although I'm not sure you can see them too well.  The picture just isn't justice compared to the actual wreath …. if you look close you can see various other embellishments which I fastened down to the wreath frame.

Beverly's Burlap Wreath

By far one of the prettiest burlap wreaths I've seen so far this year!  My neighbor is a whiz when it comes to this stuff and the pictures below are of one of the wreaths she made for her front door.

For this project she used:

1.  A medium sized wire wreath frame
2. 2 rolls of burlap
3. pipe cleaners
4. several fall accent pieces

You will need to gather and "bunch" the burlap around the wire frame and use the pipe cleaners to secure it down.  To make a "full" looking wreath you may need to do this twice.  Once you are finished with the burlap use a hot glue gun (or more pipe cleaners) to arrange and secure your accent pieces.

Roll Tide Deco Mesh Wreath!

Here I go again with yet another deco-mesh wreath project.  Since football season is just beginning and  about to be in full swing I opted for a wreath that displayed my proud alumni status and the team I cheer the hardest far... which is of course, The University of Alabama!!

1) You will need a wire wreath frame, your deco mesh, some pipe cleaners and any accessories/ribbons or other items you want to use on your wreath.

2) The pic below shows the wire frame I used, there are three sizes and I usually choose the medium size frame.  For a thick full wreath, you will want to use the wide rolls of deco mesh and you can easily use up an entire roll on a medium sized wreath frame.

Notes:  For a really good picture tutorial (if that is what you are looking for) visit www.clumsycrafter.com and look for the "Deco Mesh Wreath Tutorial."  It's an awesome tutorial on how to gather the deco-mesh and tie it down using your pipe cleaners.

4)  Once I finished the deco mesh portion of the wreath I added some ribbon and a letter that I painted white and then added some white glitter too for a bit of a brighter white color.

My Deco Mesh Wreath

I have seen over a dozen tutorials on how to make your own deco-mesh wreath. I think they are gorgeous and so sturdy they fare really well in the outdoors. So, I set about trying to make my own deco-mesh wreath. Because I'm an Alabama graduate red & white seemed the obvious choice for my colors! But, I also settled on red and white because I intend to double its use by leaving it out for Christmas as well.

I started with a regular wire wreath base and some deco-mesh that fit my color scheme.

Because I purchased the wider roll of deco-mesh I decided to cut it down the middle (you do not have to cut the rolls down the middle if you don't want to.... in fact, if you prefer a fuller looking wreath you may be better satisfied by NOT cutting it down the middle).  The wider rolls were a MUCH better value at Hobby Lobby (where I purchased everything) and by cutting the roll down the center I now have enough to do ANOTHER wreath.

I started by pinching the ends of the deco-mesh together and using zip ties, I tied them down to the wire wreath frame.  You will need to "bunch" the mesh or "gather" it between each of the zip ties.  You can make as big or small of a "bunch" as you would like.  I tend to like a wider, fuller looking wreaths so I chose to bunch about "8 rows" of the mesh at a time.  Because my mesh was striped I was able to count the "rows" to have an even amount of length between each zip tie.  I have since learned that is the important thing.... you really need the SAME amount of lengh between EVERY tie

that you make!  You don't HAVE to use zip ties... you can use floral wire, bread ties... or any other item that could serve as a tie.... but... FOLLOW THE SAME RULE and space each "tie" the SAME LENGTH apart!  Notice my attempt in the pictures to space the ties apart as evenly as possible!

 At this point I have half way finished my wreath.

I am now through with the first "layer" of my wreath.  Because I tend to prefer thick, "full" looking wreaths I decided to add an additional layer of deco-mesh.  I could have spaced the first layer CLOSER TOGETHER to get a "full look" but I tend to enjoy alot of variety, shape and color to my wreaths.

I opted for an additional filler of red deco-mesh.  Notice this roll is much more narrow.  This is actually the perfect width (in my opinion) to prevent from having to cut the wider deco's in half.

I added my additional layer of red deco-mesh and some red and white poinsetta flowers I found in the Christmas section of the store.  Luckily the end of the flowers was wire so I was able to just wrap it around the wire wreath frame.

And this was the finished product!  You will want to "shape" or "mold" the mesh wire into place a little but I especially enjoyed this wreath project because it allows room for error and you don't have to be "just perfect."