Our friend Sarah gave me a couple of spools of this black grosgrain ribbon, presenting me with a challenge. So here is this quick and easy Halloween wreath. Since it takes a lot of ribbon, try buying in bulk online rather than at the craft stores. I really like this site for ribbons and trims.
Supplies:
- 12″ foam wreath form
- 24 yards 1 1/4″ black grosgrain ribbon (or less if using a wider ribbon)
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
Steps:
- Cut 45-50 16″ pieces of ribbon.
- Tie one strand of ribbon in a knot around the wreath. I used a “messy knot” — right over left, then right over left again, pulling in the opposite direction. It doesn’t really matter how you do it as long as you are consistent all the way around. Repeat with the knots, pushing them close together, until you fill the wreath.
- Cut one long piece of ribbon (48″) and tie one end to form a knot. Leave a long loop for hanging and tie another knot onto the wreath.
- Trim any frayed or long ends.
Done! If you make one of these, I’d love to see a photo in the Make it Monday Flickr pool here. There are lots of great new photos over there, so take a look.
This looks great! What a great idea! There’s lots of opportunity here for tons of variations of this. Very fun.
This is great. I can see it translating to other holidays very well!
I love this, it’s so simple and elegant!
I made one from MS Living with candy once, it sure took a lot of candy 🙂
PS:
I have a little swap going if you are interested.
well, if this doesn’t just beat all! i love it!
i see variations, also. is it hanging on the front of your house?
i had a candy wreath that a friend made for me. it was so beautiful. then, one year i got it out and the rodents had enjoyed it, as well. ugh!
This is really pretty, tons of impact! I’ll be linking to this project in my next Halloween Roundup!
such a cute idea! I think I’ll be trying this for Christmas 🙂
that’s the classiest halloween decoration i’ve ever seen. amazing!
Very cool!
Fabulous! I’m so impressed.
I cannot wait to make this! Thank you!
do you tie the ribbon around the wreath, I assume? It looks Fab! how cute would it be w/ alternating black and orange!
This is great! I hope you don’t mind, but I posted a link to this on my site and mentioned that it’s a great way to use up a ribbon stash. Beautiful wreath!
I loved this..so I tried my version of it last night with some fall inspired ribbon.
I’ve just ordered my black ribbon to do this.
Question….I was thinking about doing one for Christmas (green ribbon, with a smaller width of red ribbon to be berries), would you do one solid color of green or a few different shades of green?
I would do one solid color because I think the impact of this wreath comes from the braided texture of the knots. I look forward to seeing your creation!
Ok, maybe i’m going crazy..but wouldn’t you need more than 24 yards if you are cutting 45 – 16″ pieces?
I am wanting to make one too because it is BEAUTIFUL so I just wanted to get the right amount of ribbon – thanks!!
I had a 50 yard bolt and used about half, so to get the yardage needed I multiplied 16″ x 50 and then divided by 36 (inches in a yard). But there is every possibility that I did the math incorrectly, so those of you who have tried this, let me know!
This is fantastic! I have just the ribbon for it. Thanks for the how-to!
Fabulous! I was going on a craft run today and have added this to the list!
So great for a ribbon fanatic like myself. 🙂
I love this! Quick question though: how wide is the wreath form that you used?
My Mom just sent me a link to your site … I love the wreath so simple and yet the satin ribbon looks so elegant !!!!!
I even think this would be a great idea for weddings…with white ribbons or ribbon in your colors…..to hang on the doors to the church…very nice
This is very cool. I must confess, I don’t usually decorate for Halloween, because most decorations I see are a little hokey. This is creepy, Victorian and elegant all at the same time! And I agree with the comments above – change the color scheme and this is a beautiful idea that you could recycle over and over again. Thanks for posting!
i drove by your house last night and saw the wreath on your door. it is so pretty!
I am still working on this. I’m thinking that my wreath form was thicker than yours because I had thicker ribbon, so I figured I should order less of it, and now I have about 1/3 of the wreath unfinished. Then I went to find some black ribbon to finish it and it wasn’t the same as the kind I ordered, so it sits waiting for my new order of ribbon to come in. I’ll definitely look great next year!
I’d like to include this post in the ribbons and thread edition of Holidays by Hand on November 18th. http://almostfrugal.com/holidays-by-hand/
neat wreath – thanks for such a great, simple idea!
This is VERY classy and would be great in any size or color!
Thanks for this idea! I am going to make one for my friends homemade auction.
where did you find 1 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon? I looked at the site you mentioned however they do not carry the size you mentioned you used for this wreath. Are you sure you used the 1 1/4 inch? I was thinking of doing this in red or a christmas green for the upcoming holiday. Thanks!
I absolutely love the look of this Ribbon Wreath…especially because it will be quick and easy to make….you can always use this idea for wonderful gift giving ideas. Sadly to say the first thing I thought of was a wreath honoring your love one who has passed away….guess you can tell I have been attending to many funerals lately. Can’t wait to try it out on some happy occasions….Thanks so much for the idea!!!
So I had a ton of black grosgrain ribbon left over from my sisters wedding 8 years ago. I had 100 yard of 5/8″ ribbon. I was so excited to find your project and finally have a reason to use all this ribbon. So since my ribbon is smaller than what you used…. I adjusted the number of strands I cut and also the length. Once I applied them to the wreath it look a little messy so I cut the ribbons smaller with pinking shears, felt like I was giving my wreath a haircut 😛 I’m making one large wreath and 2 small ones since I had so much ribbon and no other good use for them…. also, Halloween happens to be my favorite holiday so the more decorations the better. It came out really cute… I’m planning on adding some extra embellishments and then I’ll post a picture on the flickr pool. Thanks so much for sharing your idea!!!
Hi thelongthread!
Love, love, love this wreath! I plan on making a Virginia Tech one and one for Christmas. I was wondering if you used wired ribbon and how thick the foam wreath form was. Thanks for sharing this great idea!
This is gorgeous… and a beautiful ribbon color too!
I’ve been searching for a wreath pattern that would be easy and still be pretty and I FINALLY found one! Thanks for sharing!
Love this!!! Totally going to share it with my readers!!
Gorgeous. I love the look and it’s so versatile.
This is just what I was looking for. I am thinking a pattern of two red ribbons to 1 white (to still maintain the braided texture a little) and then hang a Santa cutout in the middle. On the back of Santa will be an invite to my family Christmas party. Put it in a big shirt box with some mini candy canes and you have one awesome invite!
I featured this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
I love this idea! Although I missed it for Halloween, I can see myself using it for Christmas. Thanks!
Thank you SO much for this great tutorial. I loved making mine. The process is simple yet the finished product is striking. Posted here: http://schultzpartyoffour.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-conquered-wreath-tutorial-from-long.html
Hello, i have linked to your tutorial over at my blog. Hope you don’t mind! If there’s a problem, please let me know and i’ll take it down right away.
Liz x
Hello,
I’m Mélodie and I work for Bulbinblue.com, the site of creative idea. I’ve visited your site and I found your couronne very great. Want you to share your idea with the others in our site, for the magazine special christmas decoration ?
Thanks to answer in our adress blueteam@bluemarguerite.com.
Thanks.
Mélodie
Can’t wait to make this wreath (with embellishments) for two of my four daughters—however, I can’t find 1 1/4″ width of grosgrain. Is that the size you actually used? I like the look of the wider ribbon. This is a great craft idea—since my youngest daughter is recently married, my glue gun and crafting skills sit idle. I must get back into it!
I know it says 12 inch foam wreath form, but there are so many choices! did you use a half circle shape, or the square edges? I wasn’t sure if it mattered with the amount of ribbon
I would certainly spray paint the foam wreath base black—just in case there are any tiny chinks between the bows. I think this should be put into the direction!
This is absolutely gorgeous!
Love this wreath post! It’s really versatile – could work for any occasion. Wreaths are one of my favorite things to make. I’ve always been obsessed with them!