WOODLAND RUFFLE STYLE WREATH BASE TUTORIAL-3 COLORS

MATERIALS:

• 3 Rolls of 10″ Deco Mesh (Any Colors)
• Scissors or Rotary Cutter
• Self-Healing Mat
• 14-18″ Wire Wreath Form
• 18 Chenille Stems/Pipe Cleaners
• Wire Cutters

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STEP 1: CUTTING YOUR DECO MESH

I am using a poly deco mesh for this particular wreath tutorial, but any 10” mesh will work. You will begin by cutting your 10” deco mesh with a rotary cutter on top of a self-healing mat. If you do not have a rotary cutter you may use scissors but it may be a little more difficult and more time consuming. Cut each color of your mesh in 18” pieces. I use this measurement because it will guarantee you will have all the 18 pieces in one 10 yd roll of deco mesh. Also, stacking the mesh colors on top of each other will keep it looking full. When using one color, some designers prefer to use 35″ pieces to maintain fullness. 

Cut your deco mesh into 18″ pieces.

We will be using a 14″ wreath form with 18 ties (3 in each section). Cut 36 pieces of deco mesh using any color or colors you want at 18” long. You can use one color or any combination of colors. For this example I am using 3 colors. If you don’t have a wreath form that already comes with ties, you can use a regular 12-14” wreath form and add chenille stems to make the twist ties. Visit the tutorial DIY Work Wreath Form-Woodland Ruffle  to learn how to make this.

STEP 2: MAKING THE RUFFLES

To begin your ruffle, lay the cut piece down on your table where it naturally wants to curl up on itself. Use something heavy to hold one end. Start by making a curl on one end. Roll the mesh about 2-3 turns making sure that the cut end is completely hidden inside the curl. This helps with the fraying that naturally occurs when you run anything across the cut end. You can attach a chip clip or clothespin to the middle of the curl to hold it in place. While your clip is holding the first curl turn your mesh around to the other end and begin curling that side. Once rolled, pinch the middle of the curl. 

While holding the second curl begin scrunching the mesh up the middle to create a ruffle. Once you get to the curl that’s being held together with the clip you can undo the clip and grip it all together. 

Roll the mesh on one end about two or three times to make a curl.

Place the chip clip on the curl to hold the one end while you start the other side.

Roll the second side about two to three times to make your second curl.

Pinch the curls in the center of mesh to create your ruffle.

STEP 3: ATTACHING RUFFLES TO THE WREATH FORM

Starting on the inside ring of your work form, attach your ruffles horizontally with the curl side up. Repeat process for each piece of mesh and add to a tie on the wreath form. You want to make sure when adding each ruffle that they don’t overlap each other. Pull each piece up so that they meet each other and stand up like a bookend. 

Once you finish with one color all around on the inside ring of the wreath form you will repeat this method with the outside ring of the wreath. 

In this example I attached the white mesh ruffles all along the inner ring by tying them with the chenille stem ties. I twisted about two to three times to secure the ruffle.

I attached the hot pink ruffles to the outer ring for a bright contrast.

Once you fill up all 18 twist ties, you can place your top layer color on top of the bottom color. You will be creating the same type ruffle piece and placing on top of the bottom layer in each tie. In this example the light pink went on top of both the white and hot pink color. Place the second layer horizontally so that they also line up like bookends. This will give your wreath a fuller look. After you have placed all of your ruffles down you will need to adjust them to be sure they are evenly spread out.

Your wreath is now ready for ribbon and accents