How To Projects – Workshop at The Gardens

There is nothing better then decorating the house for the Christmas Holiday Season. One of the most beautiful decorations for the outside of the house is a big mixed evergreen wreath. Being able to make your own evergreen wreaths is more about the satisfaction that you created such a lovely holiday decoration than it is saving a little money… although that is a nice benefit! You will learn all the steps involved in hand tying a evergreen wreath in the follow images as well as watching the YouTube video. Thanks for stopping by the blog and checking it out… Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful Holiday Season!!

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ Decorating for the Holiday Season with a big beautiful Mixed Evergreen Wreath that you made makes for a wonderful tradition.

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ The “How To Video” on How to Hand Wire a Big Evergreen Wreath

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ You can wire a wreath with a single variety of evergreen but the wreath has so much more beauty with layers of different greens.

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ When hand wiring a large wreath you will want to get a double wire ring like the one in the right side of the image.

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ There are many different types of metal rings to choose from when making a wreath. The rings with additional metal brackets weld to the main round ring are great for making smaller and lighter wreaths.

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ You will also need a good quality pair of clippers. My preferred clipper is the Felco Number Two.

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ You will also need wire to make your wreath. The wire is called paddle wire and sometimes it is called florist wire. A small wire, 22-26 gauge, that comes on a small paddle. While it does come painted green, it is not necessary to pay the extra money because the wire is never seen.

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ What would an evergreen wreath be without the greens! I like to use a good base of balsam fire on the bottom of the bundle. Any species of fir will work. Just make sure that the branches clipped for the wreath are not too big and unruly.

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ A mixed evergreen wreath is just that… mixed evergreens! There is no right or wrong with what you should or shouldn’t put in your wreath. I will use what is readily available in my yard from fall pruning. Here scotch and white pine will play wonderfully well together in this big wreath.

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ You can also use a feature evergreen. In this case I’m using Red Cedar. I love the rich color and the flare of it’s long spiky apperance.

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ Working ahead and getting all of you bundle branches clipped to length is a must for making a wreath. By having everything ready to assembly your wreath you don’t lose focus if you have to stop and cut or even gather more evergreens.

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ After attaching one end of the wire to the ring place your bundle on the ring and begin to wrap around. Five to seven wraps of wire pulled snuggly will secure the bundle of boughs to the ring.

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ This is where consistency pays off big time. Assemble each bundle about the same size and wire in place. Off setting the bundle a bit as you add to the ring.

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ Each bundle added gets you a little closer to completing the wreath. Plus your efforts come to life right in front of your eyes!

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ It is easiest to wire up the last bundle individually before placing on the ring. That way you only have to secure the bundle in place and not worry if you have enough pressure to hold all of the branches to the wire.

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ The variety of mixed evergreens makes for a beautiful wreath…

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ With the wreath turned over it is easy to see how the branch bundles are secured to the wire ring.

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ the last bundle is secured to the ring with the paddle wire. When done correctly it is difficult to tell where the wreath was started and finished. It’s just a beautiful circle of holiday beauty!

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ Use a little length of the paddle wire folded over several times to make an eye hook to hang the wreath.

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ The wreath is hung… lovely to see all the mixed greens together.

Evergreen Christmas Wreath ~ The finished wreath… all ready to enjoy the Holiday Season! Merry Christmas!!