How To Make an Autumn Wreath

Choose a base. Making wreaths is really easy with lots of great starts. You can choose a Styrofoam wreath base in a wide range of shapes (and even colors), or one that is more natural with twisted vines or grasses. This will be the start of your wreath. From here out, you can choose the steps that you want to do and the order you want to do them in. Have fun and get creative!

Add ribbon or material. This is a step you really want to do if you have a Styrofoam base, but ribbon and material can add beauty to both options. You can choose a fall ribbon or you can cut strips of material in a color that works well with the theme. If you are cutting out strips of material, it is a good idea to add fray check to the edges for a nice clean cut. Fray check is a liquid that will bind the fibers of your material and keep it from fraying, tattering, or falling apart. It is available at most craft stores and sewing departments. You can then wrap the material or ribbon around the base of the wreath. You can tack these down with "no sew" glue or hot glue. If you are using a Styrofoam base, you can also use pins (which will let you take it apart later and do something different if you wish).

Add fall leaves or flowers. In the silk flower section of the department or craft store, you will find aisles of flowers and leaves. From this section, you can choose fall flowers and leaves to add to your wreath. You can then glue or pin them to your wreath. You can also mix green leaves, fall colored leaves, and flowers of your choice should you want to. To get the perfect look, you may have to cut the leaves or flowers apart or even pull them off of their stems. Don't be afraid to bend them, twist them, cut them, or even rewire them for the perfect look.

To rewire flowers or leaves, you will need to buy the wire separately (usually available in sections with the silk flowers) and buy green flower arrangement tape to hold everything together. You can then add your flowers or leaves where and how you want them to be along your wire, and use the tape to hold them in place by wrapping your wire and the base of your flowers with it.

Add other decorative items. There are many options when making your fall wreath and what you choose should be completely up to you. This is just a small list to get you started.

• Fruit. Often grapes or groups of berries make for a great addition to your autumn wreath. They are easiest to add with hot glue due to their weight. Another way to add fruit is to wire it onto the wreath. You can do this by poking wire through the piece or by wrapping wire around a portion of it and then around the wreath (or through it). Don't feel like you are limited to choosing just grapes or berries. If you wish to add something, then add it!
• Pumpkins and gourds. You can add plastic pumpkins or gourds or even the real thing. Often times, gourds are a little easier to work with because you can find light ones, however you can carefully add both to your wreaths.
• Bows. You can make bows with the same ribbon you used before or something that complements it and adds to your wreath.
• Glitter. While you should be very careful, there are times that glitter can be a great addition to a wreath. You may want to glitter a few of the leaves for a special touch. You can also add glitter to the ribbon or bows.
• Stuffed animals. Some animals just go with fall. You see squirrels gathering nuts, chipmunks running around, and there is always a turkey for Thanksgiving. You can add a small stuffed animal to your wreath for a special touch if you wish. Once again, these can be added with wire or glue (and even pins) if you are using the Styrofoam type or have material or ribbon that can hold the weight of the animal.
• Feathers. While it isn't a good idea to glue a ton of feathers to your wreath, you can choose some feathers and make a lovely addition. These can include peacock feathers, turkey feathers, and other fancy fowl feathers that can be purchased at many craft stores. Add them around the wreath mixed in with your leaves, or make a focal point on the wreath with them.
• Dried flowers. Often silk flowers and leaves are used in autumn wreaths, but they don't have to be. You can use dried flowers, herbs, and leaves just as well (though it usually takes a bit more work). Some great options include fancy grass fronds, eucalyptus leaves, lavender, and even colorful maple leaves that you have pressed or waxed.
• Bring in nature. You can also add seeds, seed pods, acorns, and pinecones to your wreaths. Go for a walk and see what interesting nature you can bring in and add to your wreath. You can also pick up things at the farmer's market such as Indian corn and cornhusks.
• Beads. You can make a strand of beads out of some great fall colors or fall beads and add this. Wrap them around like you would if you were decorating a tree or adding more ribbon.

This is just a list to get you started. You can get creative and have fun with the project. You will find a lot of fun things in the craft store section near the wreath forms and the silk flowers.

Decorate for the holidays. You can then add special decorations for the specific fall holidays. For Halloween, add spiders, small ghosts, tiny black witches, or even fake spider webs. You can either make these permanent or tack them on so you can switch it up after Halloween. For Thanksgiving, add turkeys or turkey feathers, make a small cornucopia, or add gourds.