How to Make a Charming Mesh Pumpkin Wreath for Fall

Time needed: 3 hours

This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions for making poly burlap mesh curl/poof wreath with a pumpkin theme.

1. Attach pipe cleaners to an 18″ wreath frame

   
   Attach nine pipe cleaners to Ring 2 at each of the cross bars. Then attached nine pipe cleaners to Ring 3 in the middle of each section between two crossbars.
   
   

2. Cut 18 mesh strips
   

   Using a rotary cutter, cut 18 strips of the 21″-wide poly burlap mesh. Each of the strips of mesh should be 20″ long.
   
   

3. Roll mesh around tube
   

   To facilitate rolling the pieces of mesh and making uniform curls, roll mesh around a cardboard tube (like one from an old roll of mesh or wrapping paper).
   
   

4. Remove tube
   

   Slide out the cardboard tube, leaving the roll of mesh.
   
   

5. Form a curl
   

   At one end of the roll, pinch the mesh about 4 inches from the end and secure with a clip.
   
   

6. Form a second curl at other end
   

   About 4″ from the other end, pinch the mesh to form a second curl.
   
   

7. Attach rolled mesh to outer ring of wreath form
   

   The first point of attachment is a crossbar on Ring 2. Attach the rolled mesh strip to the wreath form using a pipe cleaner on Ring 2 at a cross bar.
   
   

8. Attach the other end at the next crossbar
   

   Remove the clip and attach the other end of the roll at the pinched point using another pipe cleaner. Keep the rolled edge of the roll hidden on the inside (facing the rings).
   
   

9. Puff up the poof
   

   Partially unroll and fluff up the inner poof making sure the raw edges are facing down.
   
   

10. Add second curl/poof mesh roll
    

    Form another curl/poof roll using the same process. Attach it to the wreath form using the same pipe cleaner as the prior roll. Two curls will be attached at every crossbars forming a crisscross.
    
    

11. Attach curl/poof rolls to all crossbars on outer ring
    

    Continue adding a total of 9 curl/poofs mesh bundles around the outer ring (Ring 2). Crisscross the curls and fluff up the center poofs.
    
    

12. Add Curl/Poof rolls to the inner ring
    

    Once the outer ring is complete, add curl/poofs to the inner ring (Ring 3), but attach these in the center of each section, between two crossbars.
    
    

13. Add 9 curl/poof rolls to inner ring
    

    Continue to add a total of 9 curl/poof rolls to Ring 3. Two curls will be attached to the center of each section using one pipe cleaner per section.
    
    

14. Fluff poofs
    

    Make sure the curls are arranged nicely (nicely means pleasing to you). Form nice puffs and make sure the raw edges on the poofs are pointing down to the underside of wreath and not visible.
    
    

15. Cut 9 13″ strips of the first pair of ribbons
    

    Select two complementary ribbons and cut 9 13″ strips of the pairing.
    
    

16. Cut 9 13″ strips of the second pair of ribbons
    

    Select two complementary ribbons and cut 9 13″ strips of the pairing.
    
    

17. Cut dovetails at the end of the ribbons
    

    Fold the ribbons in half length-wise and cut at an angle to form dovetail ends. 
    
    

18. Each end of the ribbon should have dovetails
    

    Dovetail each end of the ribbons.
    
    

19. Add ribbon tail pairs to each pipe cleaner
    

    Add the first pair of ribbons the intersection of 2 curls using the same pipe cleaner used to attach the curls to the wire wreath form.
    
    At the next pipe cleaner add the other pair of ribbons, alternating ribbon patterns. Attach the ribbons to both the inner and outer rings. In total there will be 18 ribbon tail pairs attached to the wreath (9 on the other ring and 9 on the inner ring).
    
    

20. Separate the tails and curl ribbon ends
    

    Separate the ribbon tails so that they form an “X”.
    

21. Curl the ends of the ribbon tails
    

    Use your fingers to curl the ends of the ribbon tails.
    
    

22. Design wreath sign in Cricut Design Space
    

    You can purchase a wreath sign or make your own. I made one in Cricut Design Space using a Hello Pumpkin graphic I purchased on Etsy from GreatLakesDigitals.
    
    

23. Cut out stencil
    

    Using the Cricut Maker cut the Hello Pumpkin stencil out of stencil material.
    
    I used Oracal 813 stencil film. The best cut settings for me were to select “Vinyl” as the base material (even though there is a stencil film option) and cut with “More Pressure”.
    
    

24. Use the Cricut light grip mat
    

    Use the Light Grip mat when cutting this stencil.
    
    

25. Apply stencil to aluminum sign
    

    Clean the aluminum before applying the stencil. I used an alcohol wipe and then buffed it dry with a paper towel. Apply the stencil. Prepare your paint. I used COLORSHOT premium acrylic paint.
    
    

26. Paint stencil
    

    I added two light coats of COLORSHOT Premium Acrylic Paint to the stencil. I used the following paint colors: Black (Little Black Dress), Orange (Orange Slice), Green (Cash) and Brown (Brownie Points).
    
    

27. Create a small bow
    

    Create a small bow using 1.5″ wired ribbon in another complementary style and color. I used my Deluxe EZ BowMaker. Trim a length of floral wire with wire cutters to secure to bow loops.
    
    

28. Make a swag of greenery and an berries for the sign.
    

    I used 2 small pieces of from a branch of green artificial eucalyptus and 2 from a branch of blue artificial eucalyptus. To this I added a couple small pieces from an autumn berry garland. Use the wire from the bow to wrap around the greenery and secure the mini swag.
    
    

29. Glue swag to metal sign
    

    Attach the swag to the metal sign using hot glue. Be careful when pressing the ribbon into the hot glue (don’t burn your fingers!). The hot glue also helps hold the pieces of the swag together.
    
    

30. Attach sign to wreath using pipe cleaners
    

    Use pipe cleaners to attach sign to the center of the wreath. My sign had small holes at the top. I fed the pipe cleaners through the holes, down through the mesh, and around the wire wreath form. You could also hot glue the pipe cleaners to the back of the sign and then attach it to the wreath form.
    
    

31. Tuck away pipe cleaners
    

    Once you’re happy with the design, fluff and shape the mesh poofs. Separate and shape the ribbon tails as they may have been squished when you added the wreath sign. Don’t forget to fluff and separate the greenery and bow too.
    
    Tuck the ends of the twisted pipe cleaners out of sight under the mesh. Make sure no wire ends are poking out from the back of the wreath where they can scratch you or your paint. You can add felt or other material, such as a round placemat, to the back of the wreath if you desire to protect the wall or door. 
    
    Hang your door decor and enjoy your festive pumpkin wreath!