Evergreen Wreath Making Tutorial

The photos demonstrate the simple steps to making a wreath using a "machine." I hesitate to use the word, machine, as it implies the use of electricity which this does not use. This machine uses a foot pedal which makes the clamp squeeze the wire prongs on the wreath form. The machine is almost "goof proof" and enables even a beginner to easily and quickly make a practically perfect professional looking wreath.

I cut the greens into 10" lengths and layer them in each prong to make an attractive bunch.
Then I step on the pedal to squeeze the two prongs together, capturing the greens in a tight bundle. The wreath form is then moved to the next open prong so when that bunch is clamped, it covers the wires from the previous bunch. And so it goes, all the way around the ring. The wreath shown started as a 12" ring but finishes at about 20-22" in diameter.

I collect evergreen boughs from my property on Bainbridge Island in the Puget Sound and also purchase noble fir boughs from a local tree farm. Noble fir is good to use as the blue-gray color is gorgeous but the needles are firm and upright. I usually work with the following evergreens: noble fir, Douglas fir, cedar, juniper, cypress,pine, and arborvitae. I also incorporate the stems from deciduous shrubs/trees such as huckleberry, red twig dogwood, birch and will purchase blue juniper berried branches from a florist supply house. Evergreen shrubs such as sarcococca, huckleberry, eounymous, boxwood,and rosemary will often appear as well.

Embellishments in the form of nuts, pods, cinammon sticks, berries, various cones, and gorgeous ribbon will be added appropriately to echo the front door and interior home decor.

I make wreaths to order and also make my two machines available for folks to come and make their own wreath. I provide some of the greens, along with the embellishments.
Once I made a custom wreath made entirely of bearded wheat stalks and another one made up of just blueberry stems. Any product that can be dried or hold-up for a reasonable amount of time can be used. I show some of my wreaths on my website: www.tigerlilysattic.com.

Wreath Making with Clamp Machine

This is the easiest way to make wreaths that is almost guaranteed to bring successful results. In fact, I have helped children make one and much to everyone's delight, the wreath looks beautiful.

A clamp machine is installed in the surface of a sturdy table or counter. Stepping on a pedal under the table moves the "jaws" which squeeze a U-shaped prong to grip and tighten the cluster of foliage that the wreath will be made of.

Photos show a rectangular shaped wreath form and the leaves used are bay laurel. This wreath which measures 21"x16" was completed in about 15 minutes. The stems were assembled fresh and then dried in place. Circles in all sizes are the most common wreath form, but there are also snowflake, swag, advent candle, trees, and of course, rectangles to choose from.

This is one of the main methods used in making commercial and florist-designed wreaths customarily seen during the holidays with evergreen boughs. I have two machines and make wreaths for all occasions as well as providing wreath-making workshops to the public. All the greens, wreath forms, cones/pods, and ribbons are provided. Shipping boxes are also available to send a personal gift to family and friends.

The next post will show how to make dried hydrangea wreaths.