4TH OF JULY WREATH TUTORIAL IN WOODLAND RUFFLE STYLE

4TH OF JULY WREATH TUTORIAL IN WOODLAND RUFFLE STYLE

4TH OF JULY WREATH TUTORIAL IN WOODLAND RUFFLE STYLE

MATERIALS:

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STEP 1: CUT YOUR DECO MESH

I will be using 10″ poly deco mesh for this wreath. You will begin by cutting your 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 will be a little more difficult. 

Cut the mesh you will be using as your base into 35” pieces. You will need to cut 16 pieces so it will require two rolls. You will probably have to use a tape measure to measure out your deco mesh before cutting.

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 times 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. 

Make a curl on one end and roll about 2-3 times to make sure the cut end is completely hidden.

Place a chip clip on your curl to hold it in place.

While your chip 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 center 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. 

Create your curl on the other end.

Pinch the middle of the curl and begin scrunching.

Once you scrunch all the way to the other end remove chip clip and hold it all together in the center.

STEP 3: ATTACH YOUR RUFFLES TO WREATH FORM

Starting on the inside ring of your work form, attach your ruffles horizontally with the curl side up. Repeat process going all around the inside ring of 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 on the inside ring of the wreath form you will repeat this method on the outside ring of the wreath form.

Attach your ruffle to the wreath form.

Begin by going all around the inside ring of the wreath form.

Finish attaching your ruffles to the outside ring of the wreath form.

STEP 4: ADD YOUR SECOND DECO MESH COLOR

You will be cutting your deco mesh for the top layer into 20″ pieces. This measurement guarantees you will have enough pieces in one roll of deco mesh and still create a full look. You will be creating the same style ruffle with these deco mesh pieces.

Once you make your ruffle you will be placing them on top of the base color all around the inside and outside ring of the wreath form in a horizontal position so that they also line up like bookends. This gives the wreath a fuller look.

Cut your deco mesh 20″ long.

Make your curls in the same manner as the base curls.

Attach your red ruffle on top of your navy blue base ruffle.

Continue placing the red ruffles on all ties around the wreath.

STEP 5: ADDING THE RIBBON AND TUBING

First, I take all my ribbon and cut it into 13″ pieces. Then cut the ends of the ribbon into a dovetail by folding the ends in half and cutting at a diagonal. I typically start cutting from about an inch from the end. Starting from the fold cut the diagonal up to the edges of the ribbon. 

I am placing the ribbon on each tie. Pinch the ribbons in the center and attach to the twist tie on top of the deco mesh. 

Don’t worry about spreading your ribbon out nicely until the end because as you work on your wreath the ribbon will get messed up.

Cut your ribbon ends into a dovetail.

Place the ribbons on top of each other and pinch in the center.

Attach to each ruffle on your wreath.

I like to add deco mesh tubing to my wreath to give it a real festive look. I will get 1-3 different colors and create loops. For this wreath I decided to use only one color but I created 2 sets of loops instead of just one. Leave about a 4-inch tail, then make your loops in a figure 8 form making each loop about 3-4 inches depending on how much you want it to stick out from each section. Repeat this action to create your second set of loops. Then leave another tail on the other side before cutting. Some people prefer not to leave a long tail, but I like the way the tail looks. 

Leave your tail at 4" then make a loop about 4″ long.

In a figure 8 motion create your second loop.

Create your second set of loops.

Add the deco mesh tubing on each ruffle on top of the ribbon.

Add the tubing to each ruffle and twist your tie all the way up.

Cut your tie with wire cutters at about 1″ up.

Tuck your stem under so it is no longer visible.

Continue going all around your wreath.

STEP 6: ATTACH YOUR ACCENT SIGN

Before I attach the accent sign, I determine where I want the top of the wreath to be. I use an 8″ piece of craft wire to make a hanging loop. You can find this wire at any craft store. I get mine at Dollar Tree. I attach it to the top and twist it around the wreath form with mini bent nose pliers to secure it. You can now hang it up, which makes it easier to work on these last steps. If you can't find craft wire, a zip tie works just as well. Just make a loop with your zip tie and snip the end.

Cut a piece of crafting wire about 4″ long.

Attach to your wreath form creating a loop for hanging. Secure it by wrapping it around the wreath form using mini bent nose pliers.

You can also use a zip tie if you can't find craft wire.

Your wreath is now ready to hang.

Next, I attach a 1”x 1” zip tie adhesive mount to each corner of the sign by peeling the plastic off the adhesive side and adding e6000 before putting them down for an extra secure hold. It’s best to do this before you start your wreath because you need to let it cure for 24 hours. I use e6000 on all of my plastic and metal signs because it is the only thing that will hold on those materials. On my wooden signs it holds just as well with hot glue.

Put a dab of e6000 to each corner of your sign or at every quarter mark on a round sign.

Place the adhesive mounts on the epoxy. Let cure for 24 hours before attaching to wreath.

Run your ties through the mount.

Twist the tie to secure it.

Do this to all 4 sides.

Once you have determined where you would like to place it, use your ties to go in between the mesh and attach directly to the wreath form. Attach all 4 corners in this manner until it is secure. You may need to readjust so I suggest not twisting your ties too much until you are sure you are happy with the placement. You will also have to readjust your ribbon and mesh because it will probably all be tucked under the sign after placement.

Attach directly to wreath form.

Adjust your ribbon and deco mesh after placing your sign.

STEP 7: FINISHING TOUCHES

Turn your wreath around and trim and tuck any ties still sticking out. You are now done and your wreath is ready to hang.

God Bless America!

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