It’s here it’s here, it’s finally here! Fall weather has officially arrived in my city and I couldn’t be happier. I broke out my fall decorations a little later than usual this year but things are finally coming together. I posted a bunch of pictures on The Scoop today, so click here if you want to check it out. (And see the end of this post for an explanation of what “The Scoop” is!) For all of you craft-haters, go browse this section today and find something delicious!
You all should know by now that I need a wreath for every occasion. I keep a wreath hanger on the inside of my front door, so I like to switch it out all the time. I have a fantastic feather wreath that I love for fall, but I wanted something just for Halloween that wasn’t too goofy/juvenile/corny/etc. I saw this black ribbon wreath and fell in love, but when I went to look for ribbon I quickly realized that was going to turn into one pricy little wreath! But then I noticed the giant spools of tulle for half price so I grabbed a bunch of black and decided to do something similar. I love how it turned out, and you could really do a lot of fun variations of this same style, but I’ll show you what I did for Halloween. The bonus is, you don’t have to be crafty at ALL to pull this one off. If you can tie a knot, you’re set! This would be super cute and fun to do with a kids group even, with little mini wreaths!
There are a few optional supplies, but really the only things you have to have is a styrofoam wreath form and some tulle. Normally I use 12-18″ wreath forms, but for this you’ll want a small 8 inch one. It looks tiny, but in the end it will appear much larger, so it’s better to start out with something small! I had 2 spools of tulle that were 50 yards each and I used almost all of it. That sounds like a lot, but tulle is pretty cheap and it comes with a ton! I also double layered it, so if you don’t do that it might stretch a little farther. Find tulle at craft or fabric stores, or even at Walmart with the Wilton cake decorating/wedding supplies. I actually love the texture of the Wilton brand tulle.
Start by cutting strips of tulle. I will tell you, it’s easier to try out a few and then determine a length you like. Cut them all the same length and then you’ll have less trimming to do later, and your wreath will be nice and even. I wanted a little more coverage, and found that it worked well to do a double layer of tulle for each tie.
Just start to tie the pieces right around your wreath. Easy peasy. Messy knot, square knot, whatever. I did this while watching TV (how happy am I that fall tv is starting up again?! So happy.) This is a great tv project.
Then as you finish ties, you’ll push them all together. You can make this really full and tight, or a little looser. Obviously the tighter you push the ties together, the more tulle you’ll need. I found I liked mine pretty tight.
This is why you start with a tiny wreath form; the tulle adds about 3-5 inches all the way around. Look how awesome it looks when it’s all full:
You could definitely leave it at this point; it would be super cute tied up with a big orange bow. Or I think it would look awesome in a little girls room with a bright pink bow and a pink flower or something. Sort of like an edgy tutu.
But you know I have a slightly problematic addiction to accessorizing. So I can’t leave it like that. I went to the craft store and grabbed a bunch of random things in the color palette I was working in: Black, orange, and purple. I think gray would look good in there too; and even green and/or teal.
I absolutely love this ribbon. Super wide, wire edged, and shimmery orange and yellow.
So I whipped up some quick ribbon flowers using this tutorial. As I was doing that I was imagining a Rosette Wreath covered in just these orange flowers and tied with a black ribbon- that would be so gorgeous!
I think the trick when doing a project like this is to mix a lot of different textures and materials for visual interest. Silk flowers, for example, can go from stunning to tacky in a heart beat. But these gorgeous purple ones look awesome when placed among ribbon and feathers and all sorts of other things. You can usually find black roses around this time of year too; I’m loving those for this project!
I knew I definitely wanted feathers, so I was really happy to find a purple and black feathery thing (check the floral section of the craft store), and doesn’t the black thing on the left look like a hairy spider?? Guess where I found that? In the hair accessory department. Totally serious. Little fake birds with real feathers are sort of creepy and sort of cute all at the same time so I grabbed a couple of those. How I could I turn down one that had a purple glitter tummy?? (Also, as a side note, the photo below looks like the little creepy cute bird just witnessed the demise of his creepy cute parents, doesn’t it?)
From there, just start playing around with things and place them on your wreath. Definitely place before gluing!
When you’re sure where things are going, then grab a hot glue gun and have at it.
And hopefully you’ll end up with something that’s sort of frilly and fun, yet edgy and classy at the same time. Like Gwen Stefani.
I totally love mine!
And the tulle is super easy to trim up if you get all finished and realize one side is totally longer than the other. Like mine.
Happy Crafting!
Questions & Reviews
This is absolutely divine! I can not wait to make one of these!!! I blogged about this tutorial, and your amazing blog, on my blog: http://athomewithalley.com/2011/10/19/halloween-tulle-wreath/
Thank you so much for sharing! Everything you do is fabulous!
ok – this is AWESOME! The accessories totally bump it from cool to fabulous….and THANK YOU for including measurements and details…I had seen another tulle wreath with no measurements, and ended up having to trial & error it – wish I had read your post & comments first!
Here is a helpful hint for you…I ended up cutting my tulle to 12″ (my wreath form – used an embroidery hoop – was thinner) – I took my 12″ paper trimmer (you know those ones you use in all your scrapbooking? :)….) and just wrapped the whole bolt of tulle around it and then chopped through the whole chunk at each end – voila, instant 12″(ish!) pieces! I also have an 18″ plastic ruler in my sewing “stuff” that I use when I make tutus, nice length………hope this helps – I figure anything that makes a craft quicker & simpler is a good thing!
How much did you spend on your flowers and ribbon? and what store? I can’t find anything nearly as cute in ribbon, and flowers are expensive!
I love this wreath!! I have been searching youtube for a ribbon rosette like yours and can’t find anything similar. How do you make these, or do you have a link?
Yep, it’s linked in the post Cristi, here you go:
https://ourbestbites.com/2010/12/tutorial-rolled-fabric-flowers/
thanks for the link! That is a lot easier than I thought it would be. Just as a side note is the wreath stand in the link with the vine wreath a Zions Mercantile/ Deseret Book one? It looks just like one I purchased for my mom and grandmothers
Nope, I bought that at Michaels Craft Store
Making one next week. My sister & I bought all the stuff & we’re going to have a GNO! I cannot wait to make it! This wreath is DARLING!
This is such a cute idea! I also love wreaths for all occasions (just made a crazy one out of 130+ fabric yo-yos, and am excited to give this tulle wreath a try! Thanks!
how did u hang the wreath on the door?
I use a wreath hanger 🙂
I made this last night with a friend and I am totally in love with it. It’s fits for Halloween and October, but isn’t super in your face Halloween! Love Love Love it!!
Love this…going to buy everything I need to make TODAY!!!
Love the wreath and your orange ribbon is phenomenal!!! Where did you find it?
Nice one. Thanks for sharing.
What a super neat craft idea!! I really want to make one now! Please make a tulle wreath for Christmas, so we can see the differences in color and styling!
Thank you so much for sharing, completed mine tonight! Made it in black and purple, couldn’t find any orange I liked. Our hobby lobby and michael’s Halloween selections were very picked over already, glad I didn’t wait! Love it!
Love love love this!! I just got my own place and I am obsessed with wreaths and crafty decorations! Will have to try this out 🙂
I loved your wreath so much my daughter-in-law & I each made one today. Couldn’t find any spools of black tulle so bought yardage & cut into 6″ strips. It was 54″ wide, so cut 13.5″ pieces. Each wreath took 6 yards of tulle. We are so happy with ours. Thanks bunches for the idea. Wish we had a Hobby Lobby in our city!
Made this by taking apart two old bath scrunchies (cleaned) worked just as well and added decorations. Wish I could upload a picture but, alas, the demon children broke it. lol
I LOVE this wreath!!! I gotta make me one!!
I can’t stop thinking about your wreath since you posted it. I think brown tulle with some red and orange mixed in on the top half only then adding a turkey face/head to the center. So the top looks like tail feathers for a custom turkey wreath. it looks awesome in my head. I’ll never get to it this year but if anyone tries it out I want to see a picture!
This is the first wreath I have ever made and I love it! It was easy and looks awesome! Thank you for sharing!
I love it and I bet it would look amazing in fall colors too!
I am loving this wreath! And, I love wreaths. Thanks for sharing.
Way cute Sara! Can’t wait to try it.
Anyone else thinking of the Edgar Allen Poe poem, “The Raven”? Just wondering. I love the wreath.
This is SO cute and professional looking!
Love how you accessorized the wreath – very cute!
Oh, this is SO pretty and cool looking! What a great idea. I actually like it better than the ribbon one that you linked to. I love decorating for holidays but we don’t have a lot of storage space for decorations, when we buy a house I will definitely have to make wreaths for all seasons though 😀 This one and the birthday balloon one you made are my favorites!
WOW! That’s beautiful! You could even use that to hang up for Mardi Gras time. I love it!
This looks like something you would buy at some fancy boutique. I love it!
First, I am the LEAST crafty person ever. But, I do think I might be able to do this. That being said, I am looking online for tulle, and it comes in all different widths. What width do I want?
Hmm, it seems to come in a standard width at the store; I’m thinking it’s about 6 inches? In reality though, it wouldn’t really matter- it would work with any width, a wider tulle would just make wider ties, ya know?
Love this, Sara! Are you planning this as a one-year decoration, or do you have a plan for storing it so the tulle doesn’t crumple up?
I will definitely use it over and over! I have rubbermaid wreath storage containers, and I also sometimes cover with a large plastic bag and then hang them in my garage to store.