Tutorial: Patriotic No Sew Wreath

Memorial Day is one of my favorite holidays for several reasons.  First, it brings to mind all the freedoms we enjoy thanks to our military men and women who have served so long and done so much for us.  We can never thank these brave and courageous souls enough.  Second, traditionally this weekend officially begins summer.  Who doesn’t love summer?  Third, but not necessarily least, there is no pressure attached!  No stress, no list of people to buy presents for, no cookies to bake, no major shopping trips, no long drives or traveling (unless you choose to).  I LOVE this holiday.

In years past I would drag out tubs of decorations with every new season, holiday, birthday, or other event.  I was always taking down and putting up decorations.  Now…Not so much.   I just switch out a few things here and there to add a little flavor of the season. I try to make these changes last over three to four months.  HA! Another reason to like Memorial Day!  These decorations also cover June (Flag Day) and July (Fourth of July).

This quick and easy no sew wreath will add pop and sizzle to your summer decorations and really doesn’t take much time or money.  ALWAYS check your stash before you go shopping.  I didn’t have to buy anything for this project because I had everything on hand either left over from another project or purchased when it was on sale.

You need:

- 1 Straw Wreath

- 1/2 yard of patriotic fabric in two coordinating colors 
  (approximately)

- 1 1/2  yards matching ribbon

- Lots of small straight pins.

Step 1: Cutting FabricCut your base fabric into 3 inch strips across the width of the fabric.  I tear my strips because I like the ragged edge look but you can use a rotary cutter also.  You need about 6 strips.

Cut or tear your ruffle fabric into 3 inch strips.  You will need about 3 strips.

Step 2:  Wrapping WreathSecure the first strip of your base fabric to the back side of the wreath using pins.

Frugal Note: This is a good place to use those bent pins you generally throw away.

Continue wrapping the fabric around the wreath at an angle making sure you over lap the edges about 1/2 inch until the wreath is covered.  Secure fabric strips with pins as you add them on.

Step 3: Attaching Ruffled Edge

Using the contrasting fabric strips, begin attaching a soft pleated ruffle to the back side of the wreath.  Fold over the narrow raw edge and secure with a pin just at the outside edge of the wreath.   I use the width of my thumb nail as a guide to keep the pleats even.  Secure each pleat with a pin.

To add a strip of fabric, about 1 inch from the end of your first strip fold a soft pleat back toward the previous pleats, fold the end in to the middle.  Sandwich the next strip of fabric inside this pleat then secure with a pin.

Continue pleating until you have gone around the entire wreath.   You can stop here and tie the ribbon hanger onto the wreath for a minimalist look or add a simple embellishment.  I happened to have a cute little wooden star banner so I attached it with pins. 

I hope you enjoy Memorial Day weekend as much as I plan to.  Please leave a comment and share your thoughts on this wonderful holiday!

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Tutorial: Spring Wreath

Here in Northern California it is hard to know for sure what season it is.  We have had perfect spring weather most of the last 3 months then this afternoon it took a definite turn back to winter.  So when it gets windy, cloudy, and cold outside what does a crafty soul do?  She crafts a cheery Spring Wreath!  Ok, ok, cold is a relative term but when you go from mid 70’s to the low 40’s in 24 hours it feels dang cold.

I’ve always been a fan of wreaths.  There is something about the never ending circle that opens up endless possibilities… so when I was looking at my somewhat bare looking wall I felt like it was crying out for a wreath.  I started to play around with some things I had bought recently to see what I could come up with to fill in the big gaping hole on my wall and this is what I ended up with.

Here are the things you need: 

1         14” Straw Wreath

2         About  one half yard fabric

3         Some straight pins and/or greening pins

4         Some coordinating ribbon

5         Some seasonal silk flowers and picks

6         A picture hanger

Step 1.  Prepare the Fabric

Cut or tear the fabric into 3 inch strips.  I tore the fabric because I like the look but you could use pinking shears or a rotary cutter as well.

Sew the strips together along the short ends to form one long strip.

Step 2.  Cover the wreath with the fabric.

Starting on the back side of the wreath pin one short end of the fabric to the wreath at a slight angle and begin to wrap the fabric around the wreath. 

Keep the fabric tight and wrap at an angle overlapping the fabric about ½ inch as you wrap.

When the whole wreath is covered secure the fabric on the back side using pins.   

Step 3 .  Attach Ribbon

Beginning on the back side, attach the ribbon to the wreath using a pin.  Be sure to angle the ribbon a little more sharply than the fabric. 

Wrap the ribbon around the wreath at an angle leaving approximately 3 inches between the wraps.

Secure the ribbon on the back side with another pin.

Step 4.  Finish up

Start by by attaching the picture hanger….just a quick note, I used a sawtooth picture hanger that can be easily pushed into the straw wreath.  You could also use a greening pin.

Next attach the silk flowers and picks using greening pins.  I found these really cool flowers the have clips on the back side so I can easily change the flowers for roses in the summer and sunflowers in the fall without having to totally reinvent the wreath.

Now we have come full circle and you can hang your completed wreath and cheer up a dreary day.