Making a Wreath With Felted Wool

by Life at Bella Terra

4 Materials

$20

5 Hours

Easy

This is such a fun DIY and a way to use old wool clothing. Starting with a 100% wool item you can easily make this wreath.

Since it is difficult to find winter clothing in our warmer climate, I purchased a houndstooth skirt, a winter white jacket and a gray blazer at the local Goodwill.

Wash the wool items on a hot water setting on your washing machine. Dry the items using a high setting on your dryer. Yes, all the things your mother taught you not to do with wool!

Using scrap paper, make a template of a leaf measuring 4 inches long by 1.25 to 1.50 inches at the widest part.

Using sharp scissors (trust me, you will want them to be good cutting scissors), cut leaves out of all the fabric. You can use whatever combination of colors you want. I am using 3 due to the articles of clothing I was able to find.

The other supplies you need for this DIY project is a wire wreath (with 4 wires), a glue gun and your leaves. For an 18" wreath, you will need approximately 70 leaves; for this 24" wreath I used 190 leaves.

Using a glue gun, place a few drops of glue at the square edge of the leaf. Wrap the leaf around the wire on the wreath frame and pinch the ends together. CAUTION: be very careful because the glue is hot and will burn your fingers so proceed carefully.

Alternate the leaves around the frame. Don't worry if your leaves are different sizes as you can adjust as you apply them.

It is easier to work ahead of the leaves as opposed to trying to tuck them behind each other.

A 24" wreath frame is perfect to hang on a door or wall. An 18" frame or smaller would look lovely in a book case or on a mantel.

Some tips for a successful felted wreath:

Use items that are 100% wool and a relatively tight weave. Once the fabric is felted, the edges should not fray once you cut them into leaves.
Be very careful with the hot glue gun as the glue can ooze out while you are securing the leaves to the wire wreath frame.
The smaller the wreath frame the less material you will need
Use a good pair of scissors
If you make a larger wreath, some of the leaves may flop or fall away. These can be secured with a small dollop of glue.

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