Autumn Wreath Making

You will need:

• An embroidery hoop (or another wreath base)

• Reel wire

• Foraged finds

• Ribbon

• Twine

Step 1:

Go foraging! You will be surprised what you can forage from your local area. Look in the hedgerows and on the forest floor. There are lots of beautiful leaves and dried seed pods in the autumn. Always forage responsibly and don’t forage on private land without permission!

Foraged finds

Step 2:

You will need a wreath base. I used an embroidery hoop. However, you can use any wreath base for this design. You will also need some reel wire and some ribbon. I opted for brown ribbon to compliment the colours of the foliage.

Embroidery hoops, ribbon and reel wire

Step 3:

Attach the reel wire securely to the hoop. Do not detach the reel wire until the wreath is complete.

Step 4:

Start to gather small bunches of your foraged finds and attach to the hoop. Wrap the reel wire around the bunch a few times to ensure it is secure. Keep adding small bunches of foliage slightly over your last bunch until you are close to the centre of the hoop. Keep the reel wire attached to the hoop. Wind the reel wire round to the opposite side of the hoop and stop where you want to position the first bunch of foliage on the opposite side.

Step 5:

Start adding small bunches of foliage to the other side of the hoop. Work your way down to the centre of the hoop. You should end up with a structure similar to the image below. Keep adding small bunches until you are happy with the shape on both sides. Placing your wreath on the floor is a good way to check that you are happy with the overall shape.

Step 6:

Cut the reel wire and secure to the back of the hoop. Add the ribbon to the centre of the hoop - this will cover the mechanics and the join. I prefer to use multiple lengths of ribbon. Once complete add a piece of twine to the top of the hoop and place on a door or wall.

I enjoy using embroidery hoops as a wreath base - they are easy to work with and look very pretty if part of the hoop is left visible.

Sometimes simple is best - this wreath was made using one ingredient - Ivy