Written Instructions:

Step One:

Divide your foliage into four equal piles. Doing this means you can use a pile for each quarter of the wreath and won’t run out. 

If you should run out or wish to enhance your wreath you can always forage more. Foliage such as box & ivy are easily available and perfect for the job.

Step Two:

You need to attach your reel wire to your wreath frame. The back of your wreath is the flat side on which the copper frame is most exposed.

Lay your wreath down so that you can see the back. Thread the end of the wire through a section of the frame tightly several times, twist the cut end around the length of wire and tuck the sharp end into the moss. 

You will know your frame is secure because you will be able to pick it up by the reel wire without it falling off.

Do not cut the reel wire, leave the entire spool attached.

Step Three:

Create a bundle of 3-4 pieces of foliage, use mainly the spruce with the eucalyptus as an accent. As an ideal your bundle should be no more than 4 inches long, and a thick bundle will cover better than long or thin pieces.

Turning your wreath over so you are looking at the slightly curved mossed side, with the reel wire at the top/twelve o’clock, take a bundle of foliage and lay it on the wreath at a 45 degree angle. Poking the ends of your foliage into the moss.

If the wreath was a clock face your foliage should be angled at either 2pm. Take the reel wire and wrap it tightly over the stems of the foliage several times, holding them into place.

Top Tip:

Use your secateurs to trim the ends of your foliage to the required length.

Step Four:

Repeat this process by placing another bundle of foliage on top of your first bundle but slightly further round the wreath by approx one inch. This bundle of foliage should be at the opposite 45 degree angle pointing downwards towards 5pm. Secure in the same way.

Step Five:

Repeat this process all the way around your wreath, alternating the angle with each bundle. 

Step Six:

When you get back to the top of your wreath, you may need to hold the free ends of your very first bundle up so that you can insert your final bundle behind it to create a seamless finish.

Top Tip:

If the centre of your wreath looks too full or any areas are not to your liking, take your secateurs and trim the foliage lightly. You can also push any remaining foliage into any areas that may need more.

Step Seven:

Turn your wreath over so you can see the reverse, and cut your reel wire off the main reel, tie the reel wire in the same way you did at the start so that it is secure. Tuck the sharp end into the moss.

Step Eight: (Optional)

To protect doors from water damage you may wish to cover the reverse of your wreath - this isn't necessary for most doors. Take a plastic bag, biodegradable food waste bags are great or an ordinary plastic carrier/bin bag and cut into 3" wide strips. Remember to remove any non biodegradable plastic when disposing of your wreath

To do this, lay your wreath on it’s front so you can see the wire framed back. Take your wreath wrap and firmly pin it into place using the mossing pins. Gently stretch the wreath wrap around the frame pinning as you go until the exposed moss is covered.

Step Nine:

Decorate your wreath!

Selecting a decorative item, take one of the green stub wires and thread it through the item. This can be difficult as the items are dried, a firm hand is needed. Look for easier places to thread like the natural slits in the oranges, through the raffia around the cinnamon etc.

Pull one third of the wire through. Pinch the wire together and holding the item in your hand, twist gently so the two ends of the wire wrap around each other.

Now you can push the wire through the front of your wreath in your desired position, pull the wire from the back, bending the sharp end back on itself and back into the moss. It will also pierce any backing you may have added. This will hold your items in place.

Top Tip:

Lay your decor on your wreath first to get a rough idea of where you would like it to go, group items like the orange or apple slices together for more impact.

And voila! 

I've provided you with a length of ribbon. And should you wish you use it, it is best to create a bow, then using a stub wire in the same way as the decorative items, attach it to your wreath. There are many tutorials online for creating different types of bows.

We hope you have enjoyed creating a beautiful wreath!