Anyone made their own wreath?

[MakemineaGandT]

If so, any tips? Am planning on having a go tomorrow. I've bought one of those moss-padded wire ring frames and just plan on using florist's wire to attach stuff. Anything I should know?

Yes! I made mine copying the technique on Kirstie's Homemade Christmas (the first episode, you should be able to watch it on 4OD).

The programme was rubbish, but making the wreath was easy and amazingly good fun.

You just make up little bunches of stuff with the wire, and then attach them to the ring in an overlapping way.

I used fir, holly, mistletoe and ivy. It looks lovely and I am extremely proud!

ooh inveterate - well done you!! I feel all inspired with confidence now!!! I shall report back tomorrow. Last Christmas I tried to make a festive table centre with holly etc - DH came in and was so horrified by my effort that he completely re-did it and did a much better job. Hope the wreath turns out better!

I did a workshop on it this weekend and ended up with a lovely wreath. Do you have a reel of wire or the short thick ones?

Base layer - leylandii
Thick ring of small (3 sprig) holly bunches
Add the trimmings - ivy, fir, cones, berries in 3's so they look well spaced out. As it were.

yes, from scratch - ie I started from a willow branch, and bent that round into a circle to start with, then padded with evergreen

I just tied my holly/ivy and fake poinsettia on with green string - odd no of big decorations looks better than even.

I used wired ribbon to make a bow - it worked well.

I've heard of people writing their own obituaries but draw the line at providing my own floral tributes.

I went ona 2 horu course which rpvided all the btis . Wire ring stuffed with moss then use a continuous length fo wire formthe roll to fasten the clumps of greenery etc on. Put them in same direction so that the ends of the leaves cover the wire holding the previous clump. You can wire up cones and accessories separately and fix them on by poking the wire through the ring and tying off at the back. You may need to put plastic tape around the back of the ring (zigzag it from outer to inner edge and return, fastening with pins on each turn) if it might scratch your door.

ooh - great tips everyone, thanks. I will do the plastic backing thing too - hadn't thought of that thanks LIZS

PMSL choccyp1g - v funny

and PandaG - that sounds v impressive - even making your own frame!! wow

where did you get the moss padded ring from? would like to have a go myself

just got it from a bog-standard florist. It was £3

I must admit I had help - was at a Christmas fair type thing - forestry rangers were there with a stall with everything on - willow, evergreen, holly and ivy. THey gave some advice on what to do, and I just followed their suggestions then added poinsettia and ribbon at home. Am really pleased with the result though, and it was free!

I got a ring from the florists, a bag of moss and a whole load of wire - £3 all in!

I've made proper ones before with real greenery but they didn't last very well and went rather crispy long before it was time to take them down.

So last year I got a plain imitation wreath and added my own selection of decorations. I probably spent about £20 on it altogether. Result is very nice and hopefully will give many years of service and I'll not have to bother making another one ever again.

I got an oasis ring from the florist, that has a plastic back. Used broken bits of foliage from the Christmas tree, got some eucalpytus from florists, general ivy and leaves from the garden. Some tied cinnamon sticks, and put some wire around the bottoms of some fircones and pushed those in too.

If you spray occasionally with water, they last a long time.

choccy I am so glad I'm not the only person who thought funereal rather than festive on reading the thread title!

Ummm, no I've never made one. But I've thought about it.

As you were (and sorry G&T)

Well, I've come to report back. I made the wreath yesterday and I have to say I'm pretty pleased with it! It took me about an hour - I just used stuff from the garden, added a big gold bow, and backed it with masking tape once finished to stop it scratching the door. It was pretty easy and looks quite professional. And only cost me £3! Bargain.

[smug emoticon] {fgrin]