Burlap Wreath

Yesterday I saw lots of pics of gorgeous burlap wreaths on Pinterest. However, most pictures were linked to wreaths for sale on Etsy and didn't give directions on how to make them. $70 for a burlap wreath? Um. No ma'am.

I thought, "How hard can it be?" So off to Michael's I go. I found some burlap garland at in the wreath-making supplies, but you could easily cut strips of burlap fabric. I'm all about saving some time, so I decided to use the garland. I also looked at the wreath forms and figured I'd just use a stretched out metal coat hanger and thread it through the burlap to form a "wreath".

Supplies Needed:

• 2-3 rolls of burlap garland (Michael's). I used 2, but I think 3 would be better.
• Metal coat hanger-stretched out and formed into a circle
• Decorations such as ribbon, ornaments, dried flowers, etc.
• Floral wire or hot glue to attach decorations
• Wreath hanger

Directions:

• Stretch out the metal coat hanger and form into a circle.

• Started folding burlap garland accordion-style about every 2-3 inches. This doesn't have to be exact.

• Once you've finished the folding the roll, secure with a rubber band. This makes it easier to work with and "trains" the burlap into the desired shape.

• If you notice in the picture below, I'm sitting with part of the hanger UNDER my leg to stabilize the it. This makes it a lot easier to manipulate the burlap onto the hanger. The hanger will have a "C" shape.
• Start threading the burlap onto the hanger.
• You don't have to be precise (i.e. thread it in the same spot for each fold or make it 2-3 inches each time).

• Another tip: Leave about 6 inches free at the end of the hanger (see below) . Use that length like a needle to push through the middle of each fold. Once it's "full", push the fabric down to allow for more threading.

• Keep threading until you finish the first burlap roll, then continue with the second and/or third roll.
• Here's the fun part....twisting the ends of the hanger together to form a circle. This might be where you bat your eyelashes and ask your husband or boyfriend for help:-) Be careful when twisting. The ends of the hanger can be sharp.
• Once the ends are twisted, fluff the burlap and continue to shape the hanger into a circle until you are satisfied with the shape and fullness.
• TA-DA! Pretty cool, huh? I love how organic and versatile burlap is. However, I SHO' NUF DON'T like how stinky it is. And that, my friends, is why it will go outside.

Here are some ideas on how you can decorate the wreath.
*I already had all the decorations in my holiday decorating stashes and floral arranging supplies.

Fall leaves tucked in the wreath

Crow with gauzy fabric

Styrofoam skull, gauzy material, and part of last year's broken Halloween sign

Close-up

Christmas Ribbon with Red Bells

Top Left-concrete mushrooms, Top Right-Gauzy Fabric and Faux Coral
Bottom Left- Plain w/red ribbon, Bottom Right-Feather & succulents

Let me know if you make one! I'd love to see pics!