Simple Foraged Wreath | Austin Bloom Maker

Difficulty: Beginner | Time: 60–90 minutes | Download: Free PDF guide

This simple foraged wreath tutorial shows you how to make a gorgeous wreath from garden foliage, pine cones and fabric remnants — perfect for hanging on your front door, on a wall inside, or giving as a handmade gift.

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Hello there!

In the spirit of refocusing on 'making' and creativity as a regular practice, we would like to share with you another make-with-us guide, from a little while back! This simple foraged wreath is one of our favourites — made from garden foliage, pine cones and gifted fabrics, with a wreath base created by Estée's father.

You can also watch the full video tutorial on YouTube.

Our hope is that you will find a sense of peace and meditation apart from the hustle of everyday life, as you explore creativity and working with your hands through these projects.

With love,
Stu and Estée

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INTRODUCTION

Inside this guide

This month we are designing a gorgeous simple wreath to hang on your front door or to hang prettily on a wall inside your home.

This wreath has been made from foraged foliage, pine cones and gifted fabrics, and the wreath base was created by my father! It is amazing what you can do with a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

You may directly copy the design I have made or use it as inspiration for your own unique creation. However you go about it, we can't wait to see what you make!

Meet Estée

"I have been working with flowers for over a decade in events, weddings and daily flowers.

Teaching the art of floristry to hundreds of students over this period has been a large part of my work and passion. With a background in styling, visual art and graphic design, I have created spaces for all manner of events; combining art direction, floral design, sculpture and styling.

The possibilities through working with flowers are endless, and I hope that you will find a new perspective and creative energy. Enjoy this time of meditation and achievement with me as you embark on your learning journey through florals, design and art."

"Using your hands and working with flowers is a form of meditation and therapy, unlocking creativity and mindfulness"

SUPPLIES

Gather your supplies

1. Basket for foraging foliage — You can gather elements in your hand but a basket may be easier.
2. Workbench — Not essential that your workbench is 900mm high but preferable as this is a good standing height. A simple fold-out trestle or kitchen table/bench is fine.
3. Floristry snips — These are best bought from a floristry sundries wholesaler or local hardware.
4. Wreath base — This base can be made from grapevine/twisted willow early in the year or you can purchase pre-made bases from floristry wholesale shops or Spotlight/Kmart.
5. Wired string/florist wire — Raffia-covered wire or floristry wire to secure flowers to the wreath base.
6. Ribbon and fabric — Pop to your local haberdashery store or floral sundries wholesaler and choose some different shades and sizes of ribbon: grosgrain, velvet, satin. You will need the ribbon for a hanger and also for decorative features on your wreath. At the fabric store you will also find a remnants bin — choose some complementary tonal fabrics to make up your colour theme.
7. Bin, brush and tray — Pop a large bin or basket beneath your workbench and make sure to clean up all cuttings and put them in the green bin once completed.

STEP BY STEP

Let the making begin!

1. Forage in gardens and country roadsides
   You may closely follow the types of flowers and foliage I have foraged and bought: Pine, Hypoclamma, Misty, Pine cones and Hakea. Try to get a variety of textures and tones of green, grey, white and earth tone. Consider using pine as I have for a super festive feel. All of these varieties dry very well over several weeks and months.
   
   
2. Layout your flowers
   This helps your mind to become organised, and your elements will be easier to work with.
   
   
3. Prep stems and remove excess foliage
   Remove excess or damaged leaves. Using an old teatowel/towel can be useful to protect your hands whilst stripping the stems. It will be easier to layer your stems on top of each other if you have stripped some of the stem — this will make the design less bulky and easier to tie on.
   
   
4. Prepare your wreath base
   Figure out the top centre of your wreath base and work to this for your overall shape and design.
   
   
5. Attaching flowers to the wreath base
   Using the natural curvature of the stem, attach the stem/s to the wreath with the wired string. 1–3 stems at a time is ample. Once you have attached a few stems of pine (in this case), start to layer the other foliage.
   
   I have started at the top left looking down at my wreath (approx 10 o'clock position).
   
   Clustering flower/foliage varieties is a good way to create impact of texture and colour. Layer the foliage on top of each other — always layering the head of the foliage onto the previous stem. Always working in one direction.
   
   
6. Fabric and ribbon detail
   When you reach approximately 7 o'clock on your wreath you can start to add a focal feature section — fabric, ribbon, pine cones.
   
   I have placed two rectangular pieces of fabric on top of each other and then placed onto the wreath base and used a strip of linen fabric to attach it on.
   
   Use wired string to attach pine cones — by threading the wired string through the teeth of the pine cone and then attaching to the wreath base.
   
   
7. Continuing design
   Once you have finished your ribbon and fabric section, continue layering your foliage. Keep in mind to place the stems at different angles to create a 3D effect.
   
   When you have completed your design you can hide your mechanics by adding another ribbon.
   
   Hold up your wreath and tie a slip knot ribbon around the best balance point at the top of the wreath.
   
   At this point you can hold it up in front of a white wall and take a photograph. You will be able to see if there are any gaps or holes that need filling before displaying.
   
   Finally — hang your wreath!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Share yours! @austinbloom.adelaide

We hope you have found this a fun and engaging experience, which has opened your eyes to what is possible to create at home. Of course, this guide can be used over and over. We are excited for you to join us as we create more tutorials, content and inspiration!